How To Vote In Sacramento County

Updated 10-4-18

Implementing the Voters Choice Act in Sacramento County

The 2018 General Election Begins October 8th When Ballots Are Mailed to All Voters

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors has approved the County’s participation in the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) to replace the current voting system. In the June Primary, voters saw many changes in the voting process as polling places were replaced by Regional Voting Centers and vote-by-mail ballots.

The Voter’s Choice Act is a result of SB 450, state legislation passed in 2016 with the support of Secretary of State Alex Padilla. The bill established pilot programs in 14 counties with full statewide implementation to take place in 2020. Only 5 of the 14 counties chose to participate, including Sacramento.

Here’s how it works in Sacramento County, the largest county to implement VCA.

Regional Vote Centers to replace neighborhood polling places

• At least 16 Vote Center sites open 10 days prior to Election Day
• At least 62 additional sites open 3 days prior to Election Day for a minimum of 8 hours
• Centers open from 7am – 8pm on Election Day
• Voters have total of 11 days to vote at any Center
• Voters may update their registration or register to vote same day at any Center
• Voters may access replacement or provisional ballots at any Center
• Mobile Vote Centers will not be allowed in 2018 due to a recent Board of Supervisors decision
• Voting machines will be available for voters with disabilities
• Center locations will be near public transportation routes where possible
• Election officials on-site will have access to voter registration data (name, address, date of birth, language preference, party preference, precinct, ballot status)
• Election materials available in all languages required in that jurisdiction

Ballot Drop Boxes

• At least 52 drop off sites available 28 days before the election
• These sites are in addition to Vote Centers

Vote-By-Mail Ballots in the General Election

• Registered voters automatically receive ballots the week of October 8th
• Ballots returned in pink envelope provided by mail or by dropping off at any County drop-box or, starting May 26, at Vote Centers located throughout the County – be sure to sign the envelope!
• Voters may call into County Elections to confirm their ballot has been processed

Learn more on the Sacramento County Elections Office Website.

Let’s Make This An Opportunity To Support Republican Candidates

The County Elections office will be responsible for an outreach campaign to encourage greater voter turnout. This presents an opportunity for increased awareness and interest in the mid-term election.

The Sacramento County Republican Party has established a Voter Engagement Committee to provide outreach to all communities, and to implement a get-out-the-vote strategy under the new voting model. Since voters will no longer vote at their polling place and all voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot, substantial human and financial resources will be required to implement a new way of approaching GOTV over the 28 day voting cycle.

Be sure to sign up as a volunteer on our Contact page, and consider donating to support this important effort.

Spread the word!

If you would like a presenter to come to your church, service organization, chamber of commerce or neighborhood association, contact info@saccountygop.com.