Body of News Release
San Rafael, CA – Voters in the November 5 General Election can see the first returns shortly after 8 p.m. on Election Night by checking the election results webpage.
Registrar of Voters Lynda Roberts said ballots from vote centers cast during the early voting period and vote-by-mail ballots counted up to that point will be included in the first report. Results will be updated about every hour as ballots are returned from vote centers and counted throughout the night at the Civic Center.
As of 1 p.m. on October 29, Roberts said the turnout is almost 33%. Marin County has about 172,000 registered voters for this election.
“We expect a lot of vote-by-mail ballots to start coming in now that we are closer to the election,” she said. “Voters need to make sure their ballot counts by getting it in the mail several days before Election Day so it is postmarked on time. I can’t stress this point strongly enough — don’t wait. Often we can’t count a ballot because it isn’t postmarked by Election Day or we receive the ballot after the seven-day grace period.”
Instead of mailing, voters may drop off their ballot at one of several official drop boxes located throughout the county or at any vote center before 8 p.m. on Election Day. The list of locations is printed in the voter information guide and is posted at www.marinvotes.org.
Voters can track their ballot by signing up for Where’s My Ballot on the Secretary of State’s website. This is a free service.
Vote-by-mail ballots dropped off at vote centers and official ballot drop boxes in the days just prior to Election Day will be processed following the election. Roberts reminds voters to sign the return envelope so ballots can be processed quickly. But if a voter forgets, the Elections Department will send a letter with instructions for fixing the problem. Voters will also receive a letter if a signature does not compare to the signature on their voter registration card.
A voter unable to return a vote-by-mail ballot may designate someone to return it for them by filling out the form on the back of the return envelope. “I strongly encourage voters to only designate someone they know and trust,” Roberts said.
Voters may call the Elections Department at 415-473-6456 with questions or concerns. Those unsure if they are registered to vote but plan to vote in this election may check the voter status portal on the Secretary of State’s website, or call 415-473-6456.
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