Residents across Santa Clara County are receiving their mail-in ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election, and local election officials are urging them to vote early.
Vote by mail packets are going out to more than 1 million active registered voters in Santa Clara County this week. To ensure all votes are counted, officials with the Registrar of Voters are asking residents to get a head start by either voting by mail or going to a voting center opening later this month. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked before or on Election Day, and county officials warn the U.S. Postal Service isn’t guaranteeing ballots will be dated the day they’re received.
“We highly recommend using an official drop box or send your ballot through the USPS at least a week in advance,” ROV spokesperson Michael Borja told San José Spotlight. “There may be delays, and we don’t want those delays to make your vote invalid. Your vote is very important … especially on a local level.”
Registrar Matt Moreles said voting early also provides time for officials to contact voters to correct any problems with their ballots, including a lack of signature. He said the county’s official drop boxes are one of the most secure ways people can cast their ballots.
Completed ballots can be returned by mail, at official drop boxes, in-person voting centers or the county elections office at 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2 in San Jose. As soon as residents receive their ballots, they can vote by mail or submit their ballots at more than 100 ballot boxes countywide.
The last day to register to vote and receive a mail-in ballot is Oct. 19. After that, conditional voter registration will be available at the county elections office and voting centers through Election Day. For residents who want to vote now, they can do so at the elections office. Vote centers will be open up to 10 days before the Nov. 3 election, according to officials.
Santa Clara County Executive James Williams said voting is the single most important and significant civic duty of every citizen.
“Voting is one of the most important ways we participate in our democracy, and each and every vote matters,” Williams said at a Monday news conference. “When you vote, you are saying that your voice matters. You’re saying that the future of your community, your state and our country matters.”
Williams said even a few votes can make a difference, as was the case with the Santa Clara County primary election for a congressional seat in 2024, when the second and third place candidates were separated by just five votes.
Moreles said the county is doing everything it can to ensure voters can cast their ballots free from any interference or intimidation.
“There’s been a lot of questions and concerns about changes to the election process, potential disruptions to the process,” he told San José Spotlight. “By voting early, a voter can minimize any potential risk.”
This November, candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton are vying for the state governor’s seat. The field is also heating up in three San Jose City Council races. In District 5, incumbent Councilmember Peter Ortiz and challenger Nora Campos, a former San Jose councilmember and state lawmaker, are running. In District 7, incumbent Councilmember Bien Doan is facing off against Van Le, a local school board trustee. In District 9, Genny Altwer, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and longtime city employee Gordon Chester are competing for an open seat, with Councilmember Pam Foley terming out.
Voters in Santa Clara will be choosing a new mayor for the first time in almost a decade with Lisa Gillmor terming out. There are six candidates vying to replace her. Two open City Council seats in Districts 2 and 3 are up for grabs as well, with four candidates in the running.
Other local contests are happening in Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos and Gilroy.
There are also a slew of propositions and tax measures that voters have to weed through, including a regional transit measure, Proposition 39, which would set stricter voter ID requirements, Proposition 40, the so-called billionaire tax, and Proposition 43, which aims to raise the tax measure threshold.
“Our community should have every confidence that this November’s election will be conducted fairly, accurately and with the utmost integrity,” Williams told San José Spotlight. “I encourage every Santa Clara County resident to make their voice heard.”
Contact Lorraine Gabbert at lorrainegabbertsjspotlight@gmail.com.
This story originally appeared in San José Spotlight.