Mail-In Ballots In Santa Cruz County: Zoom Call Set For Thursday

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Santa Cruz County Clerk Gail Pellerin will be holding a second Voting Matters event on Zoom at 6 p.m. Thursday to discuss postal issues and other concerns regarding the Nov. 3 presidential general election.

Because Pellerin's office has not been able to do their typical in-person voter outreach, she decided to create the online series.

"We've been getting lots of calls from voters concerned about timely delivery of their ballots," Pellerin said. "I want to set voters' minds at ease. We have been reassured by our postal reps that ballots will be delivered without delay."

Of the county's 166,000 registered voters, 120,000 have already signed up to receive a mail-in ballot. However, all active registered voters will receive a mail-in ballot by Oct. 5 this election through an executive order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Voters can mail in their ballot as long as it is postmarked on or by Election Day or can drop it off at one of the county's 15 ballot drop boxes.

In November, voters can drop off their ballots at 17 different voting locations instead of their traditional polling places. Consolidating the voting locations makes it easier for the county to ensure COVID-19 safety measures are implemented and maintained, according to the clerk's office.

At the 17 locations, people can obtain or turn in a ballot, register and vote on the same day, or vote in Spanish. Locations are open to all county voters.

The Voting Matters event will be open to the public and is nonpartisan. Anyone who interjects partisan politics will be muted, according to Pellerin.

To attend the meeting, people can visit this site or call 1-669-900-9128. The meeting ID is 846 2321 6255 and the passcode is 523889.

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--Bay City News