Voting Information

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


California automatically sends 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  (Until Monday, October 21st)
✪ 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. Individuals are able to access voter information guide in various languages, including sign language, and formats that include audio/PDF/large print.
✪ 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 5th, 2024 Presidential General Election from the Santa Cruz County Elections Department.


Important Voting Dates & Deadlines for the November 5th, 2024 election are:


Monday, October 7th: First day to mail vote-by-mail ballots. View poll and drop box locations.

Monday, October 21st: Last day to register to vote via a registration card or online. 

Tuesday, November 5th: Election Day! Polls open at 7am and close at 8pm.


City of Watsonville Elections Site