SLO County Elections Office Reminds Voters to Look to Official Information Sources This Fall

Author: Erin Clausen
Date: 8/2/2024 12:00 PM

The SLO County Elections Office has issued a reminder to local residents that there are only two official sources of voter registration data: the County Elections Office and the California Secretary of State. Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano cautions voters to be careful when reviewing elections-related text messages, in particular.

As we get closer to the November 5, 2024, General Election, outreach to voters is ramping up. While a fair amount of outreach is done in good faith, there are some organizations that will deliberately try to confuse or mislead voters. The SLO County Elections Office wants to remind residents that there are only two official sources of information about their voter registration status: the County Elections Office and the California Secretary of State.

Today, SLO County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano stressed the collaboration between these two offices.

"Voter rolls are updated constantly, based on updates from state and local agencies and from voters themselves," said Cano. "We are in daily contact with the Secretary of State's Office, which maintains the official database of voter registration, called VoteCal."

Cano warns that the proliferation of text-based marketing can lead to blasts from candidates seeking donations as well as texts urging people to register to vote. While they can sometimes seem to be a bit much, those texts are often well-intended. However, if you receive a communication saying that your personal registration status is inactive or is subject to cancellation, be careful.

"Our office will only ever contact you by phone, email, or mail - never by text. And the SOS sends texts only when you sign up for BallotTrax, the program that alerts you when your ballot is mailed, received, or counted," said Cano.

The Secretary of State's office has a useful tool for looking up your registration online. And if you prefer to talk with someone, that's an option as well.

"When in doubt, call our office and have us look up your voter record and confirm things for you."

To check your registration status, visit VoterStatus.sos.ca.gov or call the SLO County Elections Office at (805) 781-5228.

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