Stanislaus County voters have received their ballots in the mail, now what?
Check out our comprehensive voter guide, which includes stories on each key race and links to other coverage.
As the Primary Election approaches, there are several ways Stanislaus County voters can cast their ballots without having to wait until the rush on Election Day, Tuesday, June 2.
The Stanislaus County Registrar’s Office is already collecting ballots at drop boxes and curbside drop-off locations. Vote centers will be open up to 10 days before election day for in-person voting.
Vote-by-mail
Stanislaus County voters should have received their ballots in the mail. For voters who decide to mail their ballot back through the United States Postal Service, the window to vote has already started. As soon as the ballot is completed, it can be mailed back.
Unlike other types of mail, postage is not required for ballots in California.
Since ballots do not get postmarked in the county, it’s important to mail them early to ensure they are postmarked by the June 2, 8 p.m. deadline, otherwise they may not be counted.
Regardless of when vote-by-mail ballots are received, they are counted after in-person ballots.
For voters who feel snail mail isn’t their speed, there are other ways to vote.
Drop Boxes
There are 33 drop-off boxes throughout the county that are already receiving ballots as of May 4. The ballots from the drop boxes are gathered by election officials regularly.
The majority are in Modesto, but there are six in Turlock, three in Oakdale, two in Ceres, two in Riverbank, one in Hughson, Patterson, Waterford and Newman along with one in each of the unincorporated communities of Denair, Empire, Salida and Crows Landing.
Vote Centers
For voters who prefer a more hands-on approach, six in-person vote centers will be open on Saturday, May 23, with another 25 to open on May 30. One additional vote center will open on June 1 in Patterson.
The North Modesto Church of God, Hughson Senior Center, Turlock Library, Salida Library and the Lopes Orchards De Paul Center in Patterson will be wheelchair accessible vote centers. The Stanislaus Veterans Center, Stanislaus County Registrar’s Office, Ceres American Legion Hall and Calvary Baptist Church will have sign language interpretation on-site.
Today is the last day to register to vote online or by postmarked registration, but in case eligible voters miss it, they can register and vote provisionally at the polls through election day.
Curbside Ballot Drop-off
There are three locations where voters can drive up and drop off a ballot with election workers at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, Stanislaus Culinary Arts Institute in Oakdale and California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock. These locations will open Monday, June 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Whatever way Stanislaus voters decide to vote, they can register to receive a text message when their vote has been counted at the California Secretary of State’s website.
