Voter's Choice

FAQs

Is my county switching to the Voter’s Choice Act?

Fourteen counties were authorized to participate in the Voter’s Choice Act starting in 2018: Calaveras, Inyo, Madera, Napa, Nevada,...

How might the Voter’s Choice Act affect political campaigns?

The Voter’s Choice Act will improve the capacity of campaigns to target and track voters: All voters will receive...

Will the Voter’s Choice Act cost taxpayers more money?

Some counties will need additional resources to purchase new equipment necessary to participate in the Voter’s Choice Act, such...

Will the dropboxes be secure?

Yes. Dropboxes must be secure and locked.

Could this make it easier for people to commit voter fraud?

No. The Voter’s Choice Act vastly improves protections against potential voter fraud: When a voter uses a vote center,...

Will I need to show photo identification at the vote center?

California voters are not required to show identification at their polling place. However, if you are a newly registered...

Why will I be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot when I didn’t ask for one?

State lawmakers designed the Voter’s Choice Act to increase voter turnout and make voting more convenient. One convenience for...

Why can’t I use my neighborhood polling place?

There are criteria for the selection of vote center locations and not all existing polling places will qualify under...

Is this an attempt to disenfranchise voters?

No. In fact, the VCA may increase voter turnout. The law is modeled after a similar program in Colorado....

Will this make it harder for me to vote in person?

Most voters will have to travel farther than in previous elections to reach a vote center where they can...

Who made the decision to switch to this new process?

State legislators and the Secretary of State designed the Voter’s Choice Act with extensive input from community groups that...

Are there going to be long lines at the vote centers?

Because this is a new system, the answer is not certain. However, lines at vote centers are not expected...

I don’t have a car. How will I get to a vote center?

Participating counties are required to make efforts to ensure vote centers are accessible by public transit. Election officials will...

What about voters who speak languages other than English? Will they be able to use the vote centers?

Yes, vote centers will accommodate voters with limited English proficiency. Vote centers will have well-trained staff at every location...

Will vote centers be accessible to people with disabilities?

Yes, all vote centers will be accessible to people with disabilities. Counties participating in the VCA also are required...

Who decides where the new vote centers and dropboxes will be placed? Which criteria will be used?

The county elections office will decide where to place vote centers and drop boxes based on 14 criteria outlined...

How will the new vote centers look and feel?

Vote centers will be well-organized, professional, and accommodate voters with disabilities.

What if I’m not registered to vote?

You will not receive a ballot in the mail, but if you are eligible to vote, you may still do...

What if I’ve moved since the last time I registered to vote?

You might not receive a ballot in the mail, but you may still vote. Visit any vote center in...

Why can’t we use my polling place?

In some cases, former polling places will be used as vote centers. However, many former polling places will no...

Can I vote at any vote center?

Eligible voters can use any vote center in the county in which they live, so long as that county...

What is a dropbox?

A dropbox is a secure, locked structure where voters may deliver their ballots from the time they receive them...

What if I lose my ballot or make a mistake?

You can visit a vote center and request a replacement ballot.

Will vote centers be open on the weekends?

Yes. All vote centers will be open the weekend before Election Day, and some will be open for two...

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