Voting Information

Be an Informed Voter ~ Voting is a right and an important civic responsibility.


To limit the spread of COVID-19, California is automatically sending every registered voter a Vote-By-Mail Ballot. 
 
 Here’s what you need to know about voting by mail

✪  Vote safe with your vote-by-mail ballot - Seal It, Sign It, Return it. Track It
✪  
Mail your ballot as soon as possible -- No stamp required!

✪  If you prefer to return your ballot in person, you may take your ballot to any voting location, or to any official dropbox location in Santa Cruz County. 
✪  Voters who can vote by mail will help ensure safe physical distancing at voting locations. 

✪  You can opt to vote in person instead of using a vote-by-mail ballot. Voting locations will be available in all counties before Election Day. Voting locations will offer voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines, and language assistance.

Are You Registered to Vote?


If you aren't sure if you are registered to vote, you can: 

Check Online at the California Secretary of State Website
✪ Call the Santa Cruz County Elections Department at 831-454-2060
✪ Check the Santa Cruz County Elections Department Website

If you need to register or re-register to vote:

You can register to vote online
✪ You can get and fill out a voter registration card (available at the library and other government offices)
 
If you miss the deadline to register to vote, you can still register and then vote at these locations:

1. Santa Cruz County Elections Department - 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz (Monday - Friday: 8am-5pm)

2. Watsonville City Clerk's Office - 275 Main Street, 4th Floor, Watsonville (Monday - Friday: Hours)

Learn About the Candidates and the Issues


 ✪ Attend a debate
✪ Talk with other people
✪ Read the newspaper & voter guides 


✪ Official Voter Information Guide from the California Secretary of State
Santa Cruz County Elections Information
✪ Voters Edge California (a nonpartisan guide from the League of Women's Voters
✪ Easy Voter Guide (also from the League of Women's Voters) & Spanish Guide Available at Site
California Election Guide from CalMatters

Vote!

✪ Information about the November 8th, 2022 California General Election from the Santa Cruz County Elections Department.


Important Voting Dates & Deadlines for the November 8th, 2022 election are:


Monday, October 10th: First day to mail vote-by-mail ballots.

Monday, October 24th: Last day to register to vote via a registration card or online. 

Tuesday, November 8th: Election Day! Polls open at 7am and close at 8pm.