Yolo County Elections Will Start Mailing Important Election Materials: County Voter Information Guide and Vote-by-Mail Ballots

September 30, 2020

“We are pleased to announce that Yolo County election materials will be arriving to voters within the first two week of October. We are working diligently on our election processes and are on track for a successful election,” says Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters. 

County Voter Information Guides (CVIG) for the November 3, 2020 General have left the printer and are on their way to the United States Postal Service distribution center in West Sacramento where they will be processed and mailed to Yolo County voters. The CVIG includes Ballot Drop Box (BDB) and Voter Assistance Center (VAC) locations and days/hours of operation, local candidate statements and measures and other important information. Voters that have 'opted out' of receiving a paper version of the CVIG may view it on the Yolo County Elections website beginning October 5, 2020.

The Yolo County Elections office will start mailing Vote-by-Mail ballots for the November 3, 2020 General Election on Monday, October 5, 2020. All active registered voters in Yolo County can expect their ballot to arrive in their mailbox by Monday, October 12, 2020. If your ballot has not arrived by October 15, 2020, please contact the Yolo County Election Office.  The voter registration deadline for the November 3, 2020 General Election ends October 19, 2020. After that, voters may register or re-register and vote using the Conditional Voter Registration process, also known as same day voter registration.

In response to COVID-19 concerns, Governor Newsom issued and Executive Order and the Legislature passed emergency legislation that requires every active registered California voter be mailed a Vote-by-Mail ballot, while also ensuring safe in-person voting options. 

Key Information Regarding Vote-by-Mail Ballots

• You do not need to request an absentee/Vote-by-Mail ballot – all active registered voters will be mailed a ballot beginning October 5, 2020.
• Vote-by-Mail ballots can be filled out and returned in the provided envelope. Voters can return their signed envelopes:
  • Via the mail, no return postage needed as long as it is postmarked by November 3, 2020
    (our office has 17 days after November 3, 2020 to receive it and count the ballot);
  • By dropping off at a Ballot Drop Box (BDB) from October 5, 2020 until 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2020; or
  • By returning to one of our 12 Voter Assistance Centers (VACs) from October 31, 2020 until 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2020
• The Yolo County Elections Office encourages you to return your Vote-by-Mail ballot before Election Day to ensure the quickest election results possible on Election Night.

Key Information Regarding Voter Assistance Centers (VACs)

• Yolo County has replaced the traditional neighborhood polling places with 12 Voter Assistance Centers placed strategically throughout the county for the November 3, 2020 General Election. Yolo County Voters can visit any VAC in the county to drop off or cast a ballot in person.
• Voter Assistance Centers are open from Saturday, October 31st through Monday, November 2nd from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Election Day, November 3rd, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Voters can complete many services at VACs including:
  • Drop off completed Vote-by-Mail ballots or receive replacement Vote-by-Mail ballots or envelopes
  • Vote a regular ballot or provisionally
  • Receive language assistance or accommodations including use of accessible voting machines
  • Complete same day voter registration also known as conditional voter registration

Key Election Dates

For more information, visit: www.yoloelections.org. Voter Assistance Center (VAC) and Ballot Drop Box (BDB) locations are available here: https://www.yoloelections.org/voting/locations.We encourage Yolo County residents to connect with Yolo County ACE – Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections on Facebook: @YoloACE, Instagram: @YoloCoACE, and Twitter: @YoloCoACE to receive the most up to date information about the upcoming election and live election night results.

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