Santa Clara County Mails Over 1 Million Ballots and Asks Voters to Return Them Early

Vote-by-mail packets are landing in more than 1 million mailboxes across Santa Clara County this week, and the county's Registrar of Voters wants people to send them back sooner rather than later. The reason is the mail itself: ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, Nov. 3, and county officials warn the U.S. Postal Service is not guaranteeing that a ballot will be postmarked the same day it is dropped off.

A week of cushion

Registrar spokesperson Michael Borja told San José Spotlight the office strongly recommends using an official drop box, or mailing a ballot at least a week ahead, so that any delay does not cost someone their vote. Registrar Matt Moreles added that early ballots give staff time to reach voters and fix problems such as a missing signature, and he called the official drop boxes one of the most secure ways to vote.

How and where to vote

Completed ballots can go back by mail, to one of more than 100 drop boxes around the county, to an in-person vote center, or to the county elections office at 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2, in San Jose. People who want to vote in person right away can do so at that office now. Vote centers will open up to 10 days before Election Day, officials said.

Oct. 19 is the last day to register and still get a ballot in the mail. After that, residents can use conditional voter registration at the elections office or a vote center through Election Day.

Why officials say it matters

At a Monday news conference, County Executive James Williams pointed to the 2024 primary for a local congressional seat, when the second- and third-place finishers were separated by just five votes. Moreles said voting early can also reduce the risk from any disruptions to the process.

The ballot is long. Beyond the governor's race between Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton, San Jose has City Council contests in Districts 5, 7 and 9, the city of Santa Clara is electing a new mayor as Lisa Gillmor terms out, and Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos and Gilroy have local races. Voters will also weigh a regional transit measure and several statewide propositions, including Proposition 39 on voter ID, Proposition 40 and Proposition 43.