Residents receive voting ballots in the mail as early voting begins
CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION) Residents across California and the Central Coast received their mail-in ballots for the recall election of Governor Gavin Newsom.
In-person polling sites will be an alternative method for residents who prefer to vote in-person or need assistance. Early voting is also an option available for California residents.
Arnold Gillen and his mom received their ballots in the mail on Monday. Gillen and his mom are Prundale residents but because they were in the area they decided to cast their ballot early at the Monterey County Office of Elections in Salinas.
“We got like two weeks to mail it and I figured it's not going to be this easy later," said Gillen. "Maybe a line who knows because everybody is going to realize they gotta say yes or no.”
Registered voters in California will be asked two questions on this ballot, should Gavin Newsom be recalled? And if so, who of the 46 candidates should take his place.
The Monterey County Elections Program Manager Ayna Gutiérrez said, "In the second question, voters can choose who will be the replacement candidate. So regardless of what they voted for, on the first question, they can voice their opinion, and choose who that replacement candidate would be.”
Santa Cruz County is taking an extra step to make sure voting is accessible to all its residents by using a mobile trailer.
“It's basically an elections office on wheels," said Santa Cruz County Clerk, Tricia Webber. "We can register you to vote, we can issue you a ballot, we can return your vote and vote by mail ballot. We have the accessible machines there..”
Two hundred thirteen thousand voting packets have been sent so far in Monterey County.
San Benito County has sent out more than 36,000 ballots and Santa Cruz has sent out more than 170,000 ballots.
It's important to remind voters to make sure they sign their ballot before submitting the ballot in person or by mail. Californians who have not registered to vote have until August 30th to do so.
