Contact: Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Alternate: David Tom, Elections Division Manager

(Redwood City, CA) The ballot application and voting period begins April 8, 2016 and will remain open until June 7, 2016 for registered military and overseas voters eligible to vote in the June 7, 2016 Presidential Primary Election.

"It is important for voters who are not currently living at their home address, such as members of the military and residents living abroad, to take this early opportunity to receive their ballot and if needed, use alternative methods to speed up the ballot’s return for counting," said Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder.

San Mateo County voters may register for this program by completing a Federal Post Card Application form (FPCA) or going online to www.registertovote.ca.gov if they are:

• Members of the Uniformed Services, Merchant Marine, on active duty
• Spouse or dependent of a member of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine on active duty
• Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• U.S. citizens living abroad

The FPCA form is available at your local U.S. Embassy or the Federal Voting Assistance Program website www.fvap.gov. You may also go to the California Secretary of State’s website www.registertovote.ca.gov to register as a military or overseas voter. Voters who register on the Secretary of State’s website must provide a signature with their registration.

When you register, you may choose to receive your ballot by email, fax or postal mail.

Pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, San Mateo County will send your ballot between 60 and 45 days prior to Election Day.

"We respond promptly to all requests from military and overseas voters due to the inherent challenges posed by foreign communication. Our goal is to ensure every eligible voter can participate in the election," Church noted.

The deadline to register to vote in the June Presidential Primary Election is May 23. Registered overseas voters may submit an overseas ballot application up to and including Election Day, if the voter wants to receive the ballot via email or fax.

Further information for military and overseas voters is available from the Registration & Elections Division by calling 650.312.5222, emailing registrar@smcare.org or visiting www.shapethefuture.org.

The press release is displayed in its original format. San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Elections website now resides at www.smcacre.org