County urges voters to rely on official sources for election information
– As the Nov. 5 General Election approaches, the SLO County Elections Office reminds voters to rely on official sources for voter registration information. The County Elections Office and the California Secretary of State are the only two official sources of information about voter registration status.
SLO County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano emphasized the collaboration between these two offices. “Voter rolls are updated constantly, based on updates from state and local agencies and from voters themselves,” Cano said. “We are in daily contact with the Secretary of State’s Office, which maintains the official database of voter registration, called VoteCal.”
Cano cautioned voters about text-based marketing, which can include messages from candidates seeking donations and texts urging people to register to vote. While often well-intended, texts that claim your registration status is inactive or subject to cancellation should be approached with caution.
“Our office will only ever contact you by phone, email, or mail – never by text. And the SOS sends texts only when you sign up for BallotTrax, the program that alerts you when your ballot is mailed, received, or counted,” said Cano.
The Secretary of State’s office provides a tool for checking registration status online. Voters can also call for assistance.
“When in doubt, call our office and have us look up your voter record and confirm things for you,” said Cano.
To check your registration status, visit VoterStatus.sos.ca.gov or call the SLO County Elections Office at (805) 781-5228.
