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AP20:019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2020
CONTACT:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575
Same Day Voter Registration Allows Californians who Missed Traditional Deadline Another Opportunity to Register and Vote
SACRAMENTO – Californians who missed the February 18 deadline to register to vote — or update their voter registration — for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election can take advantage of ‘Same Day’ voter registration and cast a ballot by visiting their county elections office or any vote center or polling place in their county of residence.
"If you missed the traditional voter registration deadline, you still have an opportunity to cast a ballot,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “2020 marks the first year that voters can complete the ‘Same Day’ voter registration process and cast their ballot at any polling place or vote center in their county. This yet another step California is taking to lead the nation in expanding voting rights and access to the ballot.”
“And you don’t have to wait for Election Day! To minimize wait times, I encourage Californians who need ‘Same Day’ voter registration to visit an early voting location or their county elections office before Election Day.”
“Voters who are unsure of their voter registration status can verify it quickly at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov," Padilla added.
Eligible citizens who missed the “traditional” voter registration deadline of February 18 and still wish to vote will need to complete the ‘Same Day’ voter registration process at their local county elections office, polling place, or vote center. Voters will be asked to fill out a voter registration form and then be provided a ballot. Their ballots will be counted once the county elections office has completed the voter registration verification process. Voters can complete the ‘Same Day’ voter registration process from February 18, all the way through Election Day on March 3.
* With the signing of SB 207 by Governor Newsom on February 13, 2020, voters who wish to update their political party preference or their address (if they are moving within the same county) do not have to complete an entire voter registration affidavit during the ‘Same Day’ voter registration process. Voters making these changes will be able to make a written request using a simplified form.
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