Dear Constituent,

California's statewide Primary Election is just a few weeks away. Last year, Gov. Newsom signed a new law, California's Voter Choice Act, to make it easier and more convenient to vote.

The Voter's Choice Act allows voters to choose how, when, and where to cast their ballot. Under this new law, every registered voter is sent a ballot in the mail. It also:

• Expands in-person early voting
• Allows voters to cast a ballot at any vote center within their county
• Provides secure ballot drop off locations throughout the county

So, if you are registered to vote, you should have already received your ballot for the June 7 Primary Election. Check your mail from the last few days and make sure to find your ballot.

And if you are not registered, it's not too late to register for the June 7 election. You can register online until May 23 by going here. You can also register in person through Election Day, June 7, at an early voting center or at an Election Day polling place. If you just need to change your address or want to check your registration status, go online here.

Some important info:

• You can vote now with the ballot you were sent in the mail
• Just fill out your ballot, using blue or black ink, follow the folding instructions, and put your completed ballot 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 your ballot through the U.S. Postal Service, you can:

• Drop off your completed, signed ballot at one of the official drop box locations
• To find a drop box location in  Alameda County, go here, and for Contra Costa County, click here
• You can also drop off your ballot at any polling place on Election Day or at one of the early voting sites

If you have not yet received your mail-in ballot, you can track its status here. You can also contact your county elections office if your ballot was not delivered. Alameda County residents can go here, and Contra Costa County residents can click here.

If you prefer to vote in person at a county vote center near you on or before Election Day, go here to find a list of Alameda County vote centers (for a map, go here). For a list of early voting centers in Contra Costa County, go here. For a list of Election Day polling places in Contra Costa County, go here.

Finally, our polling places are staffed by volunteers, so if you would like to volunteer as a poll worker in Alameda County, go here. And for Contra Costa County, go here.

I hope you find this information useful. It's an honor serving you in the state Senate.

Happy voting!

Sincerely,

Nancy Skinner
State Senator, District 

P.S. You can follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more updates from the Capitol and throughout Senate District 9.