San Diego Smashes Voting Records: 560,000 Ballots Cast
SAN DIEGO, CA — More than 560,000 ballots have already been cast in San Diego County, its Registrar of Voters reported Wednesday. This number is more than three times the amount cast at the same time before the 2016 election.
Mail-in ballots were sent to all 1.9 million registered and active voters in the county on Oct. 5, in accordance with a new order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly a quarter of those have already been processed.
With less than two weeks until the Nov. 3 election, poll workers are processing ballots through a sorting machine that captures images of voters' signatures for comparison to ones the registrar has on file.
"Within minutes after the polls close at 8 p.m. on election night, the results for those early returns that were mailed in or deposited at drop- off locations before election day are counted," the registrar's office tweeted.
For those who prefer to vote in person, the Registrar of Voters office in Kearny Mesa is open for early voting from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Voters also have the option to drop off their ballot at one of 126 drop-off locations around the county -- including dozens of libraries, YMCAs, county offices and The Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park.
SEE ALSO: CA 2020 Election: Voting In Person; What To Know
Due to the pandemic, in-person San Diego-area polling places will be open for four days instead of one, according to San Diego Registrar Michael Vu.
An in-person voting location tool can be found on the county's voting website, SDvote.com.
Vu has said that his office is working with county public health services to ensure the health and safety of election workers and voters. Personal protective equipment and sanitation supplies will be provided to staffers so they can conduct the election process safely.
Voters are asked to bring a face mask and plan to remain socially distanced while waiting in line or filling out a ballot. San Diegans who arrive without a face covering will be offered one, but those who refuse to wear one will not be turned away and will be allowed to vote curbside.
READ MORE: Maskless Voters In CA Will Not Be Turned Away On Election Day
Locations of vote centers were carefully chosen and arranged to allow for waiting in line and voting while maintaining six feet of social distance, officials said.
However, officials noted that this may create longer lines than usual at in-person locations.
"We encourage voters to act early and make voting decisions from the comfort and safety of their home," Vu said. "Mark your ballot, sign, seal and return your mail ballot to a trusted source. The sooner we receive your ballot, the sooner we can start processing it so it will be counted right when the polls close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 3."
Voters can return their marked ballot in the pre-paid postage envelope to any U.S. Postal Service office or collection box.
The City News Service contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on the San Diego Patch
