San Juan Capistrano residents are preparing to make their voices heard as the Nov. 5 election approaches. With ballot boxes officially opened across California on Tuesday, Oct. 8, county elections officials began mailing vote-by-mail ballots to all active registered voters on Oct. 7, specifically 29 days before Election Day.
Voters can choose to cast their ballots in person at designated voting locations, return their mail-in ballots by mail, or drop them off at polling places. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day or dropped off in person when polls close that day.
San Juan Capistrano voting options include:
* Reata Park & Event Center, located at 28632 Ortega Hwy, offers early voting and in-person voting. In-person voting is offered through Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
* Capistrano Unified School District, located at 33122 Valle Rd, is offering in-person voting from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
* La Sala Auditorium, located at 31495 El Camino Real, is offering in-person voting and a 24-hour ballot drop-off box. In-person voting will start from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
* South Coast Christian Church, located at 31501 Avenida Los Cerritos, is offering in-person voting from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To complete your mail ballot, mark your choices and insert your ballot into the provided envelope. Be sure to sign the envelope by the red “X,” print your address, and date the back of the return envelope. Your signature must match the one on your voter registration card. If you cannot sign, you may make a distinguishing mark or have someone print your name and sign as a witness.
You can return your vote-by-mail ballot by mail or in person. If mailing, fill it out and return it early so it is postmarked by Election Day. You do not need a stamp to return your ballot in the provided envelope. If you prefer to drop it off, you can do so at any polling location or at a secure drop-off box in your county, which will be available starting about a month before Election Day. Ballots returned at a secure drop box must be deposited by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
The deadline to submit your mail ballot is crucial; it must be postmarked by Election Day or dropped off in person by the close of polls that day. Anyone can return your ballot for you, provided they do not receive payment per ballot. Ensure your vote is counted by filling out the authorization section on the outside of your ballot envelope.
You can track the status of your vote-by-mail ballot by visiting the My Voter Status website or the Where’s My Ballot website. If you have not received your ballot, lost it, or cannot vote in person, you can apply for a replacement ballot through Tuesday, Oct. 29, through your County Elections Office.
Even if you receive a vote-by-mail ballot, you can still vote in person on Election Day, provided you haven't returned your mail ballot. Bring your unused vote-by-mail ballot to your polling place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you do not have your mail ballot, the poll worker can verify your status and provide you with a regular or provisional ballot if necessary.
Check your voting location and hours and take the necessary steps to make your vote count. This election is a vital opportunity for every San Juan Capistrano resident to make their voices heard.
Not sure if you’re registered to vote? You can go to My Voter Status at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. Californians had to register to vote by Oct. 21 to vote in the Nov. 5 election. You can also register in person on Election Day for a conditional ballot.
For information on Orange County voting centers, visit Vote Center Locations at ocvote.gov.