Voters urged to return mail-in ballots early

With the November 3, 2020, Consolidated General Election rapidly approaching, Deva Marie Proto, Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters, encourages voters to get their Vote-by-Mail ballots in early.  

“Many voters like knowing their ballots will be counted and included in the initial wave of election results released shortly after the polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Those results largely consist of Vote-by-Mail ballots that were returned early,” Proto said.  

Vote-by-Mail voters may return their ballots in three primary ways:  

• By mail. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day (Nov. 3) and for the Nov. 3, 2020, Election, can be received up to 17 days after Election Day (Nov. 20) in order to be counted. No stamp is required.
• At an official ballot drop box. There are 20 secure, accessible, 24/7 ballot drop boxes located throughout the County. Ballots must be deposited in the box by 8 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 3) in order to be counted. 
• At an in-person voting location. There will be 30 in-person voting locations throughout the County open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Nov. 3. There will be a metallic ballot box specifically for Vote-by-Mail ballots near the entrance of each location.  

For a complete list and map of all ballot drop boxes and in-person voting locations in Sonoma County, please visit https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/where-to-vote/. Voters are also reminded that they must sign and date the blue return envelope containing their voted ballot before mailing it or dropping it off.

For more information, call (707) 565-6800, email rov-info@sonoma-county.org, or visit the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office in person at 435 Fiscal Drive, Santa Rosa, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding holidays).

The Registrar of Voters Office will also have extended hours on Election Day (November 3, 2020), from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m