AUBURN, CA (MPG) - The Placer County Elections Office would like to remind voters that the voting period for the November 5, 2024 General Election has officially begun.

As per California law, vote-by-mail ballots for all active, eligible voters in Placer County were delivered to the post office by Oct. 7. Voters who have not already received their voting materials are encouraged to contact the Elections Office as soon as possible.

Voters can return their ballots by mail, by using one of 31 official ballot drop boxes located throughout the county, or in person to the Elections Office or any open vote center starting Oct. 26 (official Placer County ballot drop boxes opened for voter use Oct. 8). Additionally, early voting via vote-by-mail ballot is now available daily, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 pm., at the Elections Office at 3715 Atherton Road in Rocklin.

Voters may also visit any vote center during the in-person voting period (Oct. 26-Nov. 5) to use the new "Sign, Scan and GO!" process, which permits them to check in with election staff and use a ballot scanner to have their voted vote-by-mail ballot counted immediately, ensuring their votes are included in the preliminary election results released on Election Night.

The Elections Office would like to remind voters that if they have recently interacted with the DMV, their voter registration information may have been inadvertently changed. It is important that they confirm their voter status, political party preference, address and all other pertinent information to make sure they are still registered correctly. Voters can check their registration information at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/.

For new Placer County residents or those who have not yet registered to vote, the last day to register and receive their voting materials for the November 5, 2024 General Election by mail is Oct. 21. Registration forms may be picked up at the Elections Office or any Department of Motor Vehicles, post office or library in Placer County. Voter registration may also be accessed online at https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

Voters who return completed registration forms by mail or in person to the Elections Office by midnight Oct. 21 can still receive their voting materials by mail. However, California voters who miss this deadline may still access Conditional Voter Registration. Under this law, eligible voters can come to the Elections Office starting Oct. 22 or to any vote center in Placer County starting Oct. 26 and through Election Day to conditionally register to vote and cast a ballot. The voter's election eligibility will be thoroughly assessed before the CVR ballot is counted.

The Elections Office recently adopted the Voter's Choice Act election model, which means more in-person voting opportunities for Placer County voters. No longer assigned to a specific voting location, all eligible voters can now vote in person at any one of 29 vote centers in Placer County. Seven of these vote centers will be open for 11 days of in-person voting starting Oct. 26, while the remaining 22 locations will be open for four days, starting Nov. 2. Daily hours of operation for all locations are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for Election Day (Nov. 5), when they'll be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Elections Office is located at 3715 Atherton Road in Rocklin. Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Election Day (Nov. 5) hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Elections Office will also be open the two weekends prior to the November 5, 2024 General Election (Oct. 26 and 27, Nov. 2 and 3), as well as Veterans Day (Nov. 11), from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Voters are encouraged to visit the Elections Office in person or call 530-886-5650 (toll-free 1-800-824-8683) with any questions regarding the upcoming election. Elections staff will be available to answer questions, assist with voter registrations and issue replacement vote-by-mail ballots over the counter. Additionally, voters can find information about vote center and drop box locations, their ballot status and election results and much more by visiting the Placer County Elections website at https://www.placercountyelections.gov/.