With the new year comes a new president, and Californians
throughout January begin voting.
With the new year comes a new president, and Californians throughout January begin voting.
The presidential primary election actually takes place Feb. 5, but voters who want to cast their ballot early have plenty of choices.
Beginning Jan. 7, absentee voters can begin sending in their votes. Any registered voter can sign up to vote by mail permanently by Jan. 29, and early voting is available at the Registrar of Voters office in San Jose during normal business hours beginning Jan. 7.
For those who don’t care for the early worm, Jan. 22 is the last day to register or re-register to vote. People interested in voting in a political party’s primary for the first time or switching parties need to re-register. Democrats will allow anyone now registered as an independent or decline-to-state to vote in its primary. Republicans will not.
Voters who are not affiliated with a party can vote a nonpartisan ballot or request a ballot for the American independent or Democratic parties. The Green, Libertarian, Peace & Freedom and Republican are the other recognized parties in California.
Voters only available on the weekends can visit the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters office in San Jose three days: Saturday, Jan. 26, and Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 2 – 3.
Election day isFeb. 5, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voter registration forms, absentee applications and other election information are on the registrar’s Web site, www.sccvote.org. The registrar’s phone number is 1-866-430-VOTE, and its address is 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2, San Jose, CA 95112.
There is also nonpartisan election information at www.smartvoter.org and www.easyvoter.org.
