With 14 mail-in ballot drop sites and Election Day Cal Expo drive-thru, the Sacramento County Department of Voter Registration and Elections works hard to connect with voters in new and innovative ways, amidst the hustle bustle of ballot preparation, precinct organization and volunteer training.
“This year, for the first time, we will have a drive-thru ballot drop-off at Cal Expo on Election Day for Sacramento County Vote-by-Mail voters. It will be open the same time as the polling places from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., on November 4,” said the Registrar of Voters Jill LaVine. “You don't need to get out of your car, just drive through!”
Beginning the Sunday before Election Day, Cal Expo will feature flashing signs in three different languages inviting people to drop off their Vote-by-Mail ballots. “Sacramento County Voters can also drop off ballots at any of our 14 drop-off sites throughout the County, and any of the 500 polling places on Election Day. The Cal Expo site is just one more way we are hoping to help voters return their mail-in ballots,” LaVine added.
Voter Registration also works with the television, radio and print reporters on a daily basis, answering questions about voting, registration, and the related processes and regulations. Jill LaVine appears in public speaking venues to increase public understanding, including the October 14 Future of California Panel held at UC Center Sacramento, and often hosts international observers throughout the voting season.
In addition to media and public events, technology helps keep the citizenry informed in a variety of ways, sending updates to subscribers through email, and using Twitter and Facebook to reach reporters and thousands of County followers.
The Voter Registration and Elections website allows people to verify if they are registered to vote, review sample ballot books, and find polling locations. On the night of the elections, official voting data is uploaded to the website almost hourly so that reporters and voters can check the status of their race immediately.
In addition, Voters can download the SacVote app for mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets. When the app is opened on a mobile device it shows your current location with closest polling places, has important election dates, will allow you to check to see if you are registered, and has election results. The SacVote app is available free by visiting iTunes or Google app stores.
