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In
our Voters Service role, we present unbiased, nonpartisan information
about elections, the voting process, and issues on the ballot.
Voting is a right which comes with citizenship. The state has the
responsibility for making voting available to all those properly registered.
Some voting rights are described on the Secretary
of State's webpage. Your voting rights include:
- Address confidential: You may have your residence address declared
confidential upon order of a superior court or upon presentation of
certification that you are a participant in the Address Confidentiality
for Victims of Domestic Violence and Stalking program (CA Election Code
sections: 2166 and 2166.5). During the period when your address is confidential
you will be required to vote by absentee ballot.
- Cassette: You may request a cassette tape of the State Ballot
pamphlet by ordering online
or by calling 1-800-345-VOTE.
- Moved within 14 days: If you are registered to vote in California
and you moved within 14 days prior to an election you are entitled to
vote in the precinct in which you are registered in that election only.
- Paid time off to vote: Employees are eligible for paid time
off from work for the purpose of voting only if they do not have sufficient
time outside of working hours to vote. Voting hours are from 7 a.m.
to 8 p.m. Employees can be given as much time as they need in order
to vote, but a maximum of only two hours is paid. The employer may require
advance notice if the employee wishes to take time off to vote.
- An accessible polling place: If your polling place is accessible
to the disabled there will be a symbol on the back cover of your sample
ballot (Voter Information Pamphlet). If your polling place is
not accessible you may request to be assigned to another polling place
that is accessible. Call your County
Elections Official.
- Curbside voting: Election officials at your polling place will
bring voting materials to your car if you are unable to get into the
polling place.
- Assistance: You may have help filling out your voter registration
application form. If you cannot write or cannot sign your name you may
have someone fill out the form for you, but you must "sign" the application
with a mark or a cross. The person helping you must sign their name
and the date below your signature or your mark. If you cannot read the
ballot or cannot mark the ballot you may choose two people (relatives,
friends, pollworkers) to mark your ballot for you at your direction.
You may not choose your employer, your employer's agent, your labor
union leader or agent. This is for your protection so that you may vote
for whom you choose.
- Absentee voting: You may request an absentee
ballot from your County Elections Official and vote by mail.
- Early Voting: You may vote at the office of the County
Elections Official on election day and some days prior to election
day.
- No babysitter : If you cannot find babysitting for your children
under the age of 13 they may go into the voting booth with you.
- In line at 8 p.m.: If you are waiting in line to vote at 8
p.m. when the polls close you must be allowed to vote.
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