‘A one-day nationwide democracy blitz’: National Voter Registration Day is a Reminder to Make Sure You Can Vote

The clock is ticking down to the 2024 Nov. 5 Presidential General Election.

National Voter Registration Day is "a one-day nationwide democracy blitz" with numerous local in-person and online events, Supervisor Dave Pine said.

It takes only minutes to register to voteor to check your registration status.

Voting will actually begin on Oct. 7, when voters begin receiving their ballots in the mail and the first vote centersopen. Additional centers open throughout the county in the following weeks.

"National Voter Registration Day, now celebrating its 11th anniversary, presents an opportunity to create broad awareness in San Mateo County of voter registration opportunities, encourages individuals to register to vote who might not otherwise do so, and is a day to celebrate democracy and the rights and opportunities we all share as Americans," said Pine, who, along with Supervisor Ray Mueller, introduced the proclamation.

Mark Church, the County's chief elections officer, said his office is focused on creating awareness about the importance of voting, including among "our youth, the elderly, minorities, unhoused and incarcerated. Our democracy works best when all segments of the population are participating in the electoral process."

While the presidential election sparks the most interest, voters in San Mateo County will decide on a number of local school and city measuresas well as select representatives on city councils, special districts and additional offices.

To encourage voter registration, the state of California allows the pre-registration of 16- and 17-year old residents.Online pre-registration is available on the Secretary of State's website.

Mueller said many 16- and 17-year-olds are "revved up" about current events but "feel so powerless." Pre-registration can help overcome that, he said.

"A 16-year-old who's watching everything play out ….. and they have opinions about it, you can turn around to them and you can say, 'You can register right now so that when you turn 18, you can vote,'" Mueller said.

Voters who miss the Oct. 21, 2024, voter registration deadline may "conditionally" register to vote and receive their ballot immediately at any Vote Center. When a "Conditional Ballot" is cast, the Registration and Elections Division will determine the individual's eligibility before the ballot is counted.

A total of 437,060 San Mateo County residents are registered to vote, about 85 percent of the estimated 514,000 who are eligible.

The Board also approved a resolutionto establish "Let San Mateo County Vote Week" as the second week of October each year, beginning in 2024, to encourage voting and civic engagement across San Mateo County. Establishing a dedicated week to emphasize voting and civic engagement will reinforce the significance of this fundamental right and support efforts to eliminate barriers to participation, according to the resolution introduced by Vice President David Canepa.

Helpful Information

To request a Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet or a Vote by Mail ballot in Spanish, Filipino, or Chinese, call 1-888-SMC-VOTE (1-888-762-8683) or send an email to [email protected].

Vote Center and Ballot Drop Box Lookup

Find Your Closest Vote Center Location

Assistance for Voters with Disabilities

How to Track Your Ballot

Have questions? The San Mateo County Registrar of Voters has a number of ways for you to contact them.

Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
[email protected]