Editor’s note: This email came from the county Elections Office:
With the June 5, 2012 Presidential Primary Election fast approaching, the Nevada County Registrar of Voters’ Office is busily preparing for what we hope will be another record turnout.
There will be a total of 56 polling place precinct boards throughout Nevada County. Each of the boards requires a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 poll workers. The day is long, but an extremely important part of democracy. Anyone interested in becoming a Nevada County poll worker is encouraged to contact the Registrar of Voters’ Office. Please ask for Senior Clerk-Recorder Sandy Sjoberg at (530) 265-7115.
In this primary, there will be a significant change in what the voters will be seeing and voting on their ballots.
The change came about when California voters approved Proposition 14 in June 2010. The proposition created an open primary for a number of offices. Those offices include U.S. Senate, Congressional (U.S. House of Representatives), California State Assembly and the California State Senate.
That means each voter, regardless of their party affiliation or the candidates’ party affiliation, will have many more candidates to choose from. In the race for U.S. Senate in California, for example, each voter will see 24 candidates on the ballot.
The top two vote-getters in the above contests will move on to the general election. That means you could have two people from the same party in the November runoff.
In past primary elections, a voter would receive their ballot, and the candidates for U.S Senate, Congressional, California State Assembly and the California State Senate would be only those of that voter’s party registration.
Another significant change in what the voters will see on their ballots is the new California State Senate, California Assembly, and U.S. Congressional districts. Every 10 years, following the census, district lines are redrawn to balance population among the districts.
The June election is being conducted with new district lines for Congress, State Senate, and State Assembly. Previously, Nevada County was entirely in the 4th Congressional District. Now most of the county is in the 1st Congressional District while part of Truckee remains in the 4th Congressional District. For State Senate, Nevada County was previously in the 1st and 4th Districts. The entire county is now in the 1st State Senate District.
Nevada County was previously in the 3rd State Assembly District. The entire county is now in the 1st State Assembly District.
The California Secretary of State will issue an Official Voter Information Guide which includes information on some of the U.S Senate candidates, text of the proposed laws, and general voter information.
In addition, voters will be receiving our Nevada County Sample Ballot Pamphlets scheduled to be mailed April 26, 2012.
To vote in the June 5, 2012 Presidential Primary Election, you must be registered to vote. The deadline to register to vote in this election is May 21, 2012. You can check your voter registration status on our website, http://www.mynevadacounty.com/nc/elections.
As the election grows closer, we will offer additional services through our website. Voters will be able to look up their polling place location and whether or not the Registrar of Voters’ Office has received their vote-by-mail ballot. Also, voters who receive a provisional ballot on Election Day can ascertain the status of their ballot (whether or not we counted the provisional ballot) after Election Day. All of our online services will be available no later than May 21, 2012.
Vote-by-mail and early voting begins May 7, 2012.
Some voters will receive a 2 card ballot, due to the number of contests in those particular districts. Due to closures of U.S. Postal offices, it is advised when mailing back your ballot, to do so by May 29, 2012.
All voted ballots will require a forty-five cent stamp to return.
Other ways to return your Vote-By-Mail ballot include depositing your ballot in the Ballot Drop Box outside the Rood Center at 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City; depositing your ballot in the Ballot Drop Box in the Elections Office at 950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 250, Nevada City; depositing your ballot in the Ballot Drop Box in Truckee Town Hall at 10183 Truckee Airport Road, Truckee; and dropping your ballot off at any polling place on Election Day.
All ballots must be received in the Elections Office or at a Polling Place by 8 P.M. on Tuesday June 5, 2012.
Post-Marks Do Not Count.
The right and privilege to vote is the chance to voice your opinion and make it count. Some contests really do come down to a narrow margin of just a few votes. I encourage every eligible voter to register to vote, take the time to carefully read about each candidate and ballot measure and then cast your ballot.
My commitment to ensure the integrity of the election process remains my number one priority.
Our office staff is committed to providing the best possible service to you, the voters of Nevada County. Together, we ensure the election is fair, accurate and administered with the utmost integrity. If you have any questions or require additional information about the election, please contact any one of our knowledgeable staff members at (530) 265-1298 or send an email to me at gregory.diaz@co.nevada.ca.us or call me at (530) 265-1297.
Thank You.
Gregory J. Diaz
Nevada County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters
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