If you’re like me, you’re looking forward to new challenges in 2020. And nothing we face this year may be more high profile and challenging than running elections: a presidential primary in March, then the general election in November.
You might ask, what’s the big deal? We run elections all the time, right?
This year is different. There’s a lot that’s new. It’s really going to help us if all employees are aware of the changes. Even if you’re not directly lending a hand, you can spread the word to anyone you know.
First of all, as I mentioned, the primary is in March. California moved the date three months earlier than it has been. That means the million and one logistical steps that go into planning an election all had to slide up earlier. Our Registrar’s team has already been working hard on preparations for months.
Perhaps the biggest, most consequential change: anyone can now register or re-register to vote on Election Day at any polling location. Registering after the traditional deadline is what’s known as conditional voter registration. We had that in 2018, but only at the Registrar’s office. You may remember lines wrapped around the building there on Election Day. Now it will be anywhere you can vote. You can help us out by registering early and going to your assigned polling place, but we know many voters will take advantage of the new flexibility, and we need to prepare for it.
For anyone who goes to a polling place, it will almost certainly mean a longer wait than you’re used to. Help get that message out there to family and friends. If you used to drop by the polling place on your way to work, you probably won’t be in and out as quickly. Schedule your day accordingly.
To help relieve the potential backup, we’re rolling out another first for the County: four satellite voting locations that will open for the weekend before the election. Our Registrar’s office has had early voting for years, but that meant a trip to Kearny Mesa. These satellite offices will make it much more convenient for people all around our big county. We’ll announce exact locations in the coming weeks.
Of course, you can avoid any travel with a mail ballot, and there’s a new incentive to sign up if you haven’t already. This year, our mail ballots will come with an “I Voted” sticker! Many people said that was one of the reasons they still went to a polling place. No need anymore.
One thing that’s not new but important to note about the presidential primary. Each political party makes the rules on who can vote in its primary – and the rules are different from one party to another. This is especially important for anyone registered nonpartisan, as nearly a third of all San Diegans are. They may not be able to vote for the presidential candidate they want. Please know the rules. Urge anyone you know who’s voting to learn the rules.
You may wonder why I’m talking about all this in January and not closer to the election. It goes along with another of our big messages: act early. We need people checking and verifying their registration now. If they’re not registered, register now. Make sure they know the primary rules now. Get signed up for a mail ballot now, then fill it out and send it in as soon as you can.
Even as we tell everyone to act promptly, we have to prepare ourselves for the fact it will take weeks after election night to get final results. That’s been the case for a while. That same-day, conditional registration adds another hurdle to getting through all the ballots. Expanding voter options is great, but they all take time, and we all need to expect that.
Many of you have volunteered as poll workers in the past, and we’ll be asking for your help again. In fact, we’re hoping to get even more of you signed up than ever – about 1,000 employees. With conditional voter registration, we’re adding one poll worker to each of the County’s 1,548 polling places. Here are more details and the application form. You’ll need your supervisor’s approval. It would be a big help, and it’s exciting being part of the process.
Elections are the foundation of our democracy, and they’re a weighty responsibility we’re entrusted to carry out. Our Registrar, Michael Vu, and his entire staff have done an outstanding job managing one election after another. Their commitment to fairness and accuracy makes us all proud. They’re having the bar raised for them again, and, especially with all our help, I have every confidence they’ll rise to the challenge.
P.S. While I’m talking about volunteering for high-profile issues, the region’s annual count of people experiencing homelessness is tomorrow morning. County employees have become a backbone of this effort, which helps us both get resources and decide how to direct them. Thanks in advance to everyone who has signed up and will be out there bright and early.
