Guide to Voter Registration

Transcription

1 County of Sacramento Voter Registration and Elections Guide to Voter Registration Jill LaVine Registrar of Voters

2 This presentation has been prepared as a reference to help individuals, groups and volunteers participating in voter registration activities. It is important that anyone seeking to register voters be knowledgeable of regulations and laws regarding voter registration. We encourage citizen involvement in the electoral and registration process. Additional information, or clarification, is available by calling the Voter Registration and Elections Office at (916) Monday Friday 8:00 am 5:00 pm excluding holidays

3 WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE? Anyone who is: A citizen of the United States A resident of California 18 years old on or before the next election day Not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction Not deemed by an appropriate court to be mentally incompetent (Election Codes 2000, 2211) WHEN SHOULD A PERSON FILL OUT A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM? Anyone who is eligible and--- Has never registered to vote in Sacramento County Has moved since last registering Has changed their name since last registering Wishes to change their political party preference No documentation or proof of the above requirements is required in order to register to vote. The statement on the voter registration form which the voter signs under penalty of perjury is sufficient and all that the law requires. (Election Codes 2111, 2112) In addition, no fees may be charged for registration. (Election Code 2121)

4 HOW TO GET STARTED Visit the Elections Department at th Street, Ste. A, Sacramento. There is no charge for voter registration cards and the return postage is paid by the Secretary of State. Any individual or organization may obtain up to 49 registration cards simply by asking. If an individual or organization wishes to obtain 50 or more voter registration cards, they must complete the Voter Registration Card Statement of Distribution. The form is provided by the Elections Department and requires the name, address, telephone number and organization of the person requesting the cards as well as a brief explanation of how cards are to be distributed. If 2,000 or more voter registration cards are requested, a copy of the Statement of Distribution will be forwarded to the Secretary of State by the Elections Department.

5 This form must be completed and signed by anyone taking out 50 or more voter registration forms. The identification numbers on the forms issued to you are kept on file and tracked.

6 Important Things to Remember When Distributing Registration Form Ask people if they are registered to vote; if not, offer them a registration form. Ask if they know anyone who is not registered. If they do, offer them a form. Encourage voters to mail their own forms back; no stamp is necessary. Ask people to use black or dark blue ink when completing a form. All Voter Registration Forms must be accurate and complete. Make sure people understand the Voter Registration Form should be completed by the voter unless assistance is necessary. *Direct any other questions about voter registration and elections to the Sacramento County Elections Office. Telephone number: voterinfo@saccounty.net

7 Do not use a pencil. What Not To Do! Do not refuse to give a registration form to anyone who asks for one. You must accept a form from anyone regardless of their party preference. Do not register someone who is already registered and has no changes. Do not take more forms than you can reasonably expect to use. Make a distribution plan. Do not highlight or make any marks on the registration form. Do not attempt to answer questions, except to explain how to complete the voter registration form. Do not give voter registration cards to other people or organizations who have not been authorized to distribute cards by the Elections Department.

8 How to Complete a Voter Registration Form Step by Step Instructions Box 1-2 Have the voter print their complete legal name. Box 3 Optional Check the appropriate box, Mr.,Mrs., Miss, or Ms.

9 Box 4-5 Voter must fill in complete address and city where he/she resides. A Post Office Box or a business address is not a valid residential address. Box 6 If no residence Voter must give an exact description of where he/she lives. Include cross streets, bridges, route or other landmarks. The voter must have a mailing address in order to receive voting materials.

10 Box 7-8 Mailing Address Voter must fill out mailing address if he/she wishes to receive their election mail at a different address than where he/she lives. Box 9-10 Date and Place of Birth Date of birth is required. List the name of the state in the United States or the name of the country where he/she was born.

11 Box 11 Identification Requirements Voter must provide: CA Driver s License or CA Identification Card If the voter does not have either, they MUST list the last four digits of their Social Security number.

12 Box Optional Telephone Number and Address The voter s address and telephone number is not required; it helps the Elections Office to contact the voter if there is any problem with his/her registration.

13 Box 14 Political Party Preference The voter may choose one of three options: No Party Preference Party Preference Or Other - If this is marked, the voter writes in the name of the party desired. Note: If the voter does not choose any of the above, they will be registered with No Party Preference. NOTE: Only one box can be marked. Corrections or alterations are not accepted. A new card must be filled out if an error is made.

14 Box 15 Vote by Mail Voter To receive a vote by mail ballot for all elections, the voter must write their initials on the line provided. Box 16 Prior Registration MUST be completed if the voter has been previously registered. If the voter doesn t remember the complete address, tell him/her to write as much information as possible.

15 Box 17 Citizenship and Age The voter must check the box if he/she is a U.S. citizen, and will be 18 years old on or before Election Day. Box 18 Signature of Voter This box MUST contain the legal signature of the voter and the date of signing. If the voter is unable to sign, a mark is acceptable if a witness completes and signs in the green signature box. The witness must also write witnessed by beneath his/her signature.

16 Optional Survey Voter may complete this section if he/she: A) wishes to be a poll worker; or provide their home as a polling place; B) wants to provide his/her ethnicity; C) wants to receive election materials in another language. The Bottom Portion of the Registration Form Should be filled out and given to the voter if assisted by another individual.

17 What to do with Completed Registration Forms Deliver to the local Elections Office or Secretary of State s Office within 3 days of receiving the completed forms or the 15th day prior to an election, whichever comes first. Mailed forms must be post marked on or before the 15th day prior to an election. You are ultimately responsible for the forms that were issued to you. Make sure that anyone who helps with distribution has read the booklet and understands their responsibility.

18 California Elections Code Specific codes covering crimes include Registration of person not entitled to register this includes nonexistent persons including, but not limited to, deceased persons, animals, and inanimate objects Registration of fictitious person Registration of nonexistent person Interference with transfer of voter registration card to county elections official Refusal to return voter registration card Writing or affixing political statements on voter registration card Alteration of affidavit party affiliation Fine for failure to provide voter registration card Registration forms must include full name, telephone number and address of person/organization who pays money for completed voter registration cards Requirements for paying for assisting persons to register to vote

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21 PRECINCT OFFICERS Approximately 2500 Precinct Officers are hired to assist citizens with voting at Polling Places throughout Sacramento County on Election Day. The Elections Office recruits year-round for Precinct Officers. You will earn money for serving as a Precinct Officer. This can be an excellent fund raising opportunity for an organization, and a great way to meet your neighbors while serving your community! Spanish speaking Precinct Officers are also needed.

22 POLLING PLACES With the county s continual growth, more and more Polling Places are needed. The goal of the Elections Office is to use the same facilities for polling places for each election; however, new and replacement Polling Places are needed for every election. The Elections Office will pay for the use of your facility. Do you know of a facility that is not currently being used as a polling place that may be available? If you are interested in becoming a Precinct Officer or have a facility that could be used as a Polling Place, please call

23 Prepared by: County of Sacramento Voter Registration and Elections th St, Suite A Sacramento CA (916) (916) Fax Web Site Speech and Hearing Impaired California Relay Service