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Do I need a California ID to vote? Where is my Polling Place? The SDFP Quick and Easy Guide to Election Day

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INFORMATION FOR JUNE 5 2018 PRIMARY HERE.

Editor Note 12/5/16:

Are you here looking for “proof” that undocumented people in California are encouraged or easily able to vote?

California does not require proof of citizenship to vote (ie birth certificate or passport), and neither do any of the other states, despite the unconstitutional efforts of Kansas, Alabama and Georgia to make that a requirement. You can read about the federal case here.

The section “Do I Need a California State ID to Vote? in the article below  clearly explains what kind of identification is valid and when it is required. It is clearly stated in the first paragraph that “You must be an American citizen and registered to vote” prior to the election. (California does not have same day registration.)

The thousands of hits we have received on this article since the election make it clear that the intent is to use the information the way a drunk uses a lamp post—for support rather than illumination.

We doubt that we can convince you that voter suppression is a far more dangerous threat to our democracy than voter fraud. We remain optimistic, however, that ignorance is a curable disease. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Here are some frequently asked questions about election day voting in San Diego County. In order to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen and you must already be registered to vote.  There is no same day registration in CA.

For info on candidates and issues on the 2016 general election ballots in San Diego, go here.

San Diego Free Press Progressive Voter Guide here.

When are the polls open?

Polls are open on election day Tuesday, November 8, 2016 from 7am to 8pm.  If you are in the line at the polling place prior to 8pm, you have the right to vote.

Where is my polling place?  

The Sample Ballot and Voter Information Pamphlet you received in the mail from the County of San Diego Registrar of Voters has the polling place info on the back page.

  • County of San Diego Registrar of Voters site here includes polling place locations and other general info.
  •  You can enter your zip code and address at the League of Women Voters site here and receive polling place info.
  •  California Secretary of State site here
  •  You can call the Central Library at 619-236-5800 or call or visit your local library

Can I vote at any polling place in the county?

Yes, you can, but there are reasons not to.

  • Ballots are not the same throughout the county. If you go to a precinct other than the one you are assigned, only the votes for the candidates and measures on which you were entitled to vote in your assigned precinct will be counted.
  • Your ballot will be handled as a provisional ballot.  (Provisional ballots are counted.)
  • You cannot cast your ballot in a different county.

Do I need a California State ID to Vote?

  • If you have voted before and your name is on the roster of voters, no. (Ed. note: You will be asked your name and address; the poll worker will repeat each back to you.  Then you sign the roster of voters list. That’s it.)
  • If this is your first time voting and you are registered by mail without giving your California driver’s license or state identification number or the last four digits of your social security number, then you may need to show photo identification (e. g. valid driver’s license or state ID) or a paycheck, utility bill, or government document that shows your name and address.
  • To be safe, take a photo ID with you to the polls.
  • If the poll workers check the roster and cannot locate your name they will assist you to try to find your correct polling location. If you believe you are registered to vote and want to vote at the polling location where you are, you are entitled to a provisional ballot.

On probation or off parole?  You can vote in California.

  • A misdemeanor conviction does not affect your right to vote. You can vote in all elections.
  • If you are on probation or if you have completed your parole, post-release community supervision, or mandatory supervision you CAN vote!  (ACLU has more information on this topic here.)

I haven’t mailed my ballot by mail.

Vote by mail ballots must be received by the county elections office by the time polls close at 8pm on Election Day or your return envelope must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the Registrar of Voters no later than the Friday after Election Day.   If you mail your ballot on Monday, November 7th, there is no guarantee that it will arrive at the Registrar’s Office by 8pm on November 8th.  But do not fear!

  • You can return your completed ballot by mail in person to any polling place in the County of San Diego or the Registrar’s Office at 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite I San Diego on election day.
  • You can drop off ballots at collection sites throughout the county.

Regardless of how the ballot is returned, it MUST be received by the county elections office by the time polls close at 8pm on Tuesday November 8.

Can I take time off work to vote?

State law allows voters to take 2 hours off work to vote, without the loss of pay, at an agreed upon time at the beginning or end of the work shift.  Click here for more information on time off work to vote.

Ballot selfies are not legal! 

Governor Jerry Brown recently signed a new law making it legal–but the law does not go into effect until 2017. ( LA Times)

If you encounter or hear about any of the following, get the details (voter name, polling site) and contact your field director or (866) OUR-VOTE immediately:

• Polls not open at 7 a.m., polls closing early, or people turned away if they are in line by 8 p.m.
• Polling sites run out of ballots, do not have language assistance materials or signage
• People are not on the voter list despite being registered
• People are consistently being asked to vote with provisional instead of regular ballots (as opposed to people voting provisionally because they are at the wrong polling site)
• People are being asked for ID or people are telling them they need ID to vote
• Poll observers or others are questioning poll workers about their duties or approaching voters
• Voters feel harassed or intimidated by anyone, including poll workers
Questions or Problems? Call (866) OUR-VOTE; Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA; Asian Languages: 888-API-VOTE; Arabic: 844-418-1682

Comments have been closed on this article. 1/27/17

Anna Daniels

Anna Daniels

I left a moribund Western Pennsylvania mill town the year that Richard M. Nixon was not impeached for crimes against the American people, and set off in search of truth, beauty, justice and a beat I could dance to. Here I am.
Anna Daniels

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Comments

  1. POB- Oregon is the first state in the United States to conduct its elections exclusively by mail. Some counties in Washington State only vote by mail. It was depressing and horrifying to see images of people waiting in line for 8 hours in Florida. Nearly half of Californians are expected to cast their vote by mail.

  2. So how do you prove your are an American citizen when you register? You just say you are? A utility bill is all the proof required?

    • Joel, how did you prove YOUR citizenship when you registered to vote? Unless you showed your birth certificate or an American passport (neither of which are required to register) you simply said that 1)you are a citizen and 2) showed your current address.

  3. My neighbor voted in he general election this past November and did not have to show any or of ID at the polling station. What would prevent someone from voting more than once if this was the case?

    • John, it clearly states above:
      “If you have voted before and your name is on the roster of voters, no. [You do not have to show ID](Ed. note: You will be asked your name and address; the poll worker will repeat each back to you. Then you sign the roster of voters list. That’s it.)”

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