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Why Is It Important to vote?
The right to vote is vital to our democracy -- it defines democracy. Every vote should be counted and every vote matters! Voting is one of the most important activities a good citizen can do. Your vote is your voice about what our government should do and how it should spend our tax dollars.
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My.
It’s a Jungle Out There!
For those who think they can skip voting in the primary— think again. In California, we have a jungle primary, where the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election in November. All candidates regardless of party will be on the same ballot. Every registered voter can vote for any candidate even if they belong to a different party. It is possible for two candidates from the same party to win the top two slots and run against each other in the general election. That means there is a possibility that the top two candidates for an office could be Republicans. The only way to prevent that is to vote for Democratic candidates in the primary. It’s a Jungle Out There. It is essential that we get out to vote in the June 2nd primary to ensure that a Democrat wins one or both top two slots to advance to the general election on November 3rd.
Navigating Physical Obstacles to Voting
QUESTION 1: “The election is coming, and I cannot be at home to receive my vote-by-mail ballot or visit the Vote
Center. Am I out of luck?”
QUESTION 2: “My disability prevents me from viewing my voter information guide, completing the vote-by-mail
ballot I received, or visiting a vote center. Am I disenfranchised due to my disabilities?”
ANSWER TO BOTH: California residents can access their voter information guide, and/or complete and print their vote-by-mail ballot, from their computer. Request a Remote Access Vote By Mail (RAVBM) ballot from the County in which you are registered to vote. Here is where Orange County voters can apply to receive a RAVBM ballot:
https://ocvote.gov/voting/ravbm or call the Registrar of Voters at (714) 567-7600. Note: This link offers a range of other services to voters, in addition to requesting a RAVBM.
QUESTION 3: “Isn’t this voting by computer?”
ANSWER: The completed ballot is not sent through the internet. Rather, you will print your ballot and complete it by hand, or you can mark your ballot on your own computer and then print the completed ballot for mailing.
QUESTION 4: “What should I know about mailing my ballot?”
ANSWER: The safest way to make sure your ballot is received in time to be counted is to use a Ballot Drop Box. This is true in Orange County or in any county that uses Ballot Drop Boxes. Those travelling overseas need to find out how that country applies post marks. If you must use the U.S. Postal Service, use it only as a last resort, and mail your ballot as early as possible to increase the chances of it getting an acceptable, if not accurate, post mark. Laguna Woods residents who need help delivering their ballot to the custody of the Orange County Registrar of Voters may contact Pat Freeman at: (949) 294-4880 or pfreeman92604@gmail.com.
MORE INFORMATION on RAVBM from the State of California: https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/voter-
VIDEO on ReRAVBM from Disability Rights California: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/latest-
news/making-vote-by-mail-more-accessible-how-to-vote-from-home-privately-and-independently
Click the Following Links
for More Voter Information
Qualifications and How to Register to Vote
(If you move, you must re-register to vote.)Contact Information for California Elections and Voter Information
Orange County Registrar of Voters (714-567-7600; 1300 S. Grand Ave.; Santa Ana, CA 92705)
Track Your Ballot
Tracking your vote-by-mail ballot—when it is mailed, received, and counted—has never been easier. The California Secretary of State is now offering Where’s My Ballot?—a new way for voters to track and receive notifications on the status of their vote-by-mail ballot. Powered by BallotTrax, Where’s My Ballot? lets voters know where their ballot is, and its status, every step of the way.
Sign-up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to receive automatic email, SMS (text), or voice call notifications about your ballot.
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