Contact: Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Alternate: Jim Irizarry, Assistant Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
(Redwood City, CA) San Mateo County Chief Elections Officer Mark Church today released the San Mateo County’s Amended Draft Election Administration Plan (EAP) for the implementation of the California Voter’s Choice Act (VCA). This landmark legislation authorizes 14 counties, including San Mateo, to conduct any election as an All-Mailed Ballot/Vote Center Election, commencing January 2018. San Mateo County is proud to be one of the first five counties in the state that will be conducting the June 5, 2018 Statewide Direct Primary Election under the provisions of the California Voter’s Choice Act.
San Mateo County’s Amended Draft Election Administration Plan (EAP) was developed with the goal of providing the public detailed information on the administration of elections under the VCA. It also incorporates the County’s Education and Outreach Plan, outlining in detail the County’s education and outreach plans to increase accessibility to all voters, particularly voters with disabilities and language minorities.
The Amended Draft EAP was developed in consultation with members of the County’s Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC) and Language Accessibility Advisory Committee (LAAC). Additionally, the Amended Draft EAP incorporated comments received during the course of three public hearings required by the Act. Ninety-four (94) comments were received through the public review process and thirty-four (34) of these suggestions were incorporated into the Amended Draft EAP.
“We have been very pleased with the response from San Mateo County voters and stakeholders,” said Church. “The Amended Draft Election Administration Plan was a true grassroots community effort.”
Comments on the Amended Draft EAP may be provided via email, mail and by phone to the Registration and Elections Division during the 14-day comment period ending March 15, 2018.
Upon completion of the 14-day comment period, the Final EAP may be adopted and forwarded to the Secretary of State for approval.
New Election Model for June 5, 2018
The June 5, 2018 Statewide Direct Primary Election will be the first election conducted under the VCA. The VCA will implement an All-Mailed Ballot/Vote Center model, with every registered voter receiving a Vote-by-Mail Ballot through the mail. The Vote-by-Mail Ballot may be returned by mail, dropped off at any Vote Center or Special Ballot Drop Boxes located throughout the county. Return postage will be prepaid for those voters wishing to return their ballots through USPS.
Vote Centers will replace traditional polling places and will be open for voting throughout the early voting period. Vote Centers will be providing expanded voter services such as voter registration, multilingual assistance, and disabled access voting options.
For more information on the California Voter’s Choice Act and the new All-Mailed Ballot/Vote Center election model, please call 650.312.5222, visit www.smcacre.org or follow us on Twitter @smcvote.