SLO County sets voter registration record
–County Clerk-Recorder Tommy Gong reports that San Luis Obispo County has once again set a record number of registered voters: 176,343, eclipsing the last record of 172,544 set in 2018. Furthermore, an unprecedented number of ballots were sent in the mail this election, over 144,000; approximately 15,000 more ballots sent than any prior election.
Voters are reminded that Tuesday, Feb. 25 is the last day an application can be received by the County Clerk-Recorder in order to mail a vote-by-mail ballot for the March 3 Presidential Primary Election. This cut-off date allows time for the vote-by-mail ballot to be mailed to the voter and returned by Election Day. Applications can be mailed to 1055 Monterey St., D120 or faxed to 805-781-1111. Voters can also request a ballot over the phone by calling 805-781- 5228. Vote-by-mail ballots are still available after February 25th but only to voters who are present in the County Clerk-Recorder’s office.
If a voter requested a vote-by-mail ballot and has not yet received the ballot, they are urged to contact the Clerk-Recorder’s Office immediately so their ballot can be replaced. Voters can also check on the status of their vote-by-mail ballot on the web at www.slovote.com.
Gong reminds voters that it is imperative that voters sign their ballot identification envelope containing the ballot. Without the voter’s signature, the ballot cannot be counted. New legislation allows election officials to accept voted vote-by-mail ballots that are postmarked on or before Election Day and received by mail no later than three days after Election Day. However, vote-by-mail ballots that are personally delivered to the County Clerk-Recorder’s office or at a polling place in San Luis Obispo County must be received by the close of the polls (8 p.m.) on Election Day in order to be counted. If anyone has questions concerning the election or their vote-by-mail ballot, contact the County Clerk-Recorder, Elections Division at (805) 781-5228.
Voters who missed the 15-day close of registration deadline can complete a Conditional Voter Registration (or Same Day Registration) process and cast their ballots at the County Elections Office up to and including Election Day. Recent legislation was enacted last year that also facilitates Conditional Voter Registration (CVR) at the polling place on Election Day. All votes will be counted after the elections official verifies the voter’s registration and confirms the voter has not yet voted elsewhere in the current election.
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