May 9, 2016 - It used to be that you would only receive an "I Voted" sticker when you voted in your local polling place. Two years ago we began inserting these stickers in voters' vote-by-mail ballot packets and it was an instant hit. We've heard from hundreds of voters that enjoy the convenience of voting through the mail and still wanted an "I Voted" sticker.
Voting
May 6, 2016 - We are getting ready to mail vote-by-mail ballots for the June 7th Primary Election next week. We wanted to send this important reminder - don't forget to sign your ballot envelope! Believe it or not, a few thousand voters will forget the final step before mailing - applying their signature. We understand, you're busy. But take just a few moments to remember to sign your ballot. What happens if you forget? We will send you a letter asking you to send in your signature - but if you don't respond within 8 days of Election Day your ballot won't count.
May 5, 2016 - By now most Orange County voters have received their voter pamphlet (the state mails the state voter guide, which is white in color and we send the County pamphlet, which is yellow in color). We occasionally receive inquiries from voters wondering where their specific party practice ballot can be found, which is an easy answer. We combine all parties into one booklet, which reduces cost and improves efficiencies. These practice ballots are in Section 10 of your Orange County Voters' Pamphlet.
May 3, 2016 - You have questions, we have answers. We have created a single page to help with 99.9% of voters' questions. For instance, I'd like to request a vote-by-mail ballot, I'd like to request a party's vote-by-mail ballot, or this standard refrain "I'd like to change my party registration". It doesn't matter what type of question, our helpful drop down list of answers to "How do I?" will assist you with your voting questions.
April 26, 2016 - We are preparing vote-by-mail ballots in advance of mailing them on May 9th. In fact today we've prepared 79,507 (on our way to 750,000+). So how much will it take to mail your vote-by-mail ballot back to us? The answer is simple - it will take just 47 cents since every ballot will be less than 1 oz. As a reminder, postage for a first-class stamp dropped to 47 cents on January 16th of this year. You can mail your ballot up to and on Election Day (although we recommend you mail early to avoid any postal delays).
April 24, 2016 - Yesterday was exactly 45 days before the June 7th Presidential Primary Election. This is an important day as it marks the deadline under federal law to ensure all military and overseas ballots are sent. On Friday, the day before the deadline, we processed 284 ballots for requests received on Friday. We were in at midnight last night to ensure any military ballots requested on Saturday were processed and sent. Right before midnight 15 additional requests came in - great to know that our men and women overseas will be participating in this upcoming election! #beready2016
April 23, 2016 - Yes it's true, there are 34 candidates running for U.S. Senate. What's important about this? Keep in mind that you can only vote for 1 of these candidates - don't vote for more than 1 or your vote won't be counted - and we don't want that! This contest will appear on a single page on your vote-by-mail ballot with the candidates in two columns. It is clearly marked that you can only vote for "1" and that the contest extends onto the next column. Take your time and make your selection by marking one candidate - simple as that.
April 15, 2016 - We are proud to be working with the Council of State Governments and the Federal Voting Assistance Program on a pilot project to track military ballots through the USPS and militatry postal system (and back). Why is this important? Members of the military are sent their ballots starting at 60-days before an election. Currently they can track their ballot up to the USPS, but not through the military postal system.
September 16, 2016 - There's about to be some changes in the Orange County polling place landscape. Why? It all comes down to jurisdictions moving from at-large elections to district based elections. For instance, many school districts and cities are moving from legislative bodies being elected from throughout the jurisdiction to individual, carved out districts. This creates more areas where ballot types cross, creating the need for new polling places. Voters who have been used to going to a specific polling place for years may find that their polling place has changed.
August 21, 2016 - We are currently at 390 ballot types. What's a ballot type? These are the unique ballot "styles" that will be found throughout Orange County for the November 8th General Election. Depending on where you live will determine your ballot type - for instance you may have specific contests on your ballot (such as city council, school district, water district and special districts) while your friend in another city will have a ballot that looks completely different.