By Betsy Mahan
Chair, Sacramento County Republican Party
With just six weeks to go before ballots are mailed statewide in California, voters are calling our headquarters and asking – how can we make sure our ballot is counted? Will the election truly represent the will of eligible voters? Can the US Postal Service handle the increase in volume expected one month before Election Day? How long will we have to wait to know the results?
As a member of the Sacramento County Elections advisory committee, I have seen first-hand the planning and care that is taken to make sure voters understand the many ways to cast their ballot, no community or group is disenfranchised, and ballots are protected during the collection and tabulating process. The Sacramento County Elections office has already run all-mail ballot elections, but this year they are working with the local post offices to establish a protocol for picking up ballots in a more timely manner.
That said, this election season has seen an unprecedented amount of civil disruption, chaos, and obfuscation of Republican views by a blatantly biased media, all meant to keep our President from being re-elected. Rather than focusing on the candidates, residents who haven’t already fled America’s largest cities are locking their doors and staring in disbelief out their windows at the looters who are being allowed by so-called woke Mayors to ravage stores, neighborhoods, and government buildings. All while navigating a pandemic that has closed businesses, churches, and schools. Now it’s time to vote – what could go wrong?
We can understand why people are protesting in large cities where solutions to problems are few, and rhetoric is in abundance during election time. We welcome those voters to take a look at the Republican Party. Walk Away and remember that Republicans have been on the right side of history in all civil rights struggles. We’ve always stood for equal opportunities, not special deals or selective discrimination.
There is hope! Sacramento County has over 216,000 registered Republicans – enough to replace some of these failing politicians if we just turn out. It is also crucial we contribute to the statewide vote to defeat or pass highly consequential ballot measures.
Please talk to your neighbors, regardless of their political party. Ask if they are satisfied with life in California and the current leadership. If not? VOTE-DEM-OUT! You know what they say about insanity being doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. We are the difference, and we welcome you!
So how do you make sure your vote counts in this election?
- Check Your Registration – many people have had their party changed after visiting the DMV. You can visit this link to make sure you are still registered, and affiliated with the Party of your choice.
- Track Your Ballot – all voters in California can register to receive notice when their ballot has been mailed, when the completed ballot has been received by County Elections, and when the ballot has been accepted and counted. Sign up to receive these notifications at this link: california.ballottrax.net/voter/
- Watch For Your Ballot in the Mail – All voters will start receiving their ballots in the mail after October 5th. Each ballot return envelope has a unique barcode that is associated with your ballot, so don’t get it mixed up with others in your household. This protection makes sure that others cannot vote on your behalf.
- Consult the SacCountyGOP Voter Guide – The Sacramento County Republican Party endorses candidates at the local, state and federal levels, and takes positions on local and state ballot measures. Most voters find it challenging to keep up with the backgrounds and skills possessed by our future elected leaders, and our research helps you to know whether to vote yes or no on ballot measures that will impact your pocket book, kids’ future, and community safety.
- Fill Out Your Ballot & Sign the Envelope – Fill in the oval next to your choice for each race or measure using black or dark blue ink. Do not use red ink since it cannot be seen by the machines that count the votes. If you make a mistake, you can cross it out and fill in the oval for the correct choice. As long as your intent was clear, they will count your vote. However, if the dog ate your ballot, or a mistake cannot be clearly corrected, you can request a new ballot be sent to you by calling Sacramento County Elections, or you can pick one up at a Vote Center within ten days of Election Day. As long as your original ballot has not been sent in, the new ballot will be counted. Don’t forget to sign and seal the pink return envelope! No postage required.
- Choose From Several Options to Submit Your Ballot – Democrat leaders mandated all ballots be mailed to voters in this election under the guise of protecting you from COVID-19. Each county will implement this process differently. In Sacramento County, we already had mailed ballots with options to vote in person at the County Elections Office, at Vote Centers, or by dropping ballots in drop boxes throughout the County. Sacramento County voters can take their completed ballot to any Vote Center or use any drop box throughout the County regardless of where they live. You can also drop it in the mail…but we highly recommend if that’s the option you choose, you do so at least ten days before Election Day.
- Protect Yourself From Ballot Harvesting – It is very possible you will see people walking your neighborhood offering to turn in your ballot. Unless you know and trust the person offering to help, DON’T TURN OVER YOUR BALLOT! If you’re not comfortable with the options mentioned above to submit your ballot, you can drop off your ballot at our headquarters, or call and we’ll come pick up your ballot at a time convenient to you. Our trained volunteer will identify themselves to make sure you can rest assured your ballot is in safe hands. Call our office at (916) 822-5618 to request a ballot pick-up. We will hand-deliver all ballots to the County Elections Office.
- VOTE EARLY! Just in case there is an issue with your ballot, be sure to vote at least one week before Election Day!
- Make Sure Your Ballot Has Been Received. Look for the notice of receipt from BallotTrax if you signed up to have your ballot tracked. Or call County Elections at (916) 875-5461.
- Make Sure Your Ballot Has Been Counted. Again, look for the notice from BallotTrax that your ballot has been counted. If you don’t hear within one week of sending in your ballot, call County Elections at (916) 875-5461.
