Dear Constituent,

This year, for the first time, all registered voters in California will receive a ballot in the mail. Unlike past years when vote-by-mail ballots had to be requested, this year every voter will get a ballot delivered to our mailbox. Expect to receive your ballot soon, because our county election officials will be mailing out ballots beginning today. 

Ballots are being mailed to keep us safe and minimize the spread of COVID-19. Election officials in Alameda and Contra Costa counties are strongly recommending that we vote by mail.

Some important info:

• You can vote as soon as you receive your ballot
• Just fill it out, using blue or black ink, and put it in the return envelope
• Be sure to sign your name on the back and seal the envelope
• Then put it in the mailbox. No stamps are necessary

If you choose not to mail in your ballot through the U.S. Postal Service, you can:

• Drop off your completed, signed ballot at one of the official drop box locations
• For a list of Alameda County locations, go here, and for Contra Costa County, click here

• You can also drop off your ballot at any polling place on Election Day

It's a good idea to fill out your ballot early and mail it or drop it off in one of the official drop boxes. Getting your ballot in early will ensure that your ballot is among those counted by Election Night.

If you haven't registered to vote yet, or you have moved, it is not too late to register! You can register to vote online here. If you are newly registering, the deadline to register online is Oct. 19, but you can register in person through Election Day. If you just need to change your address or want to check your registration status, go online here.

As our county elections officials have advised, it is safer and more convenient to complete your ballot in advance and mail it or drop it into one of the official drop boxes. However, if you really prefer to vote in person, please do not discard your mail-in ballot. Instead, bring it with you to your polling station on Election Day, Nov. 3. Bringing your ballot with you to your polling place will show that you have not yet voted and will make it easier for you to vote in person.  

I'll be sending out more voting information in the coming weeks. I hope you find this is useful. It's an honor serving you in the state Senate.

Sincerely,

Nancy Skinner
Senator, 9th District