By Honey Lum
In 2018-19, Sacramento County Registration & Elections implemented the California’s Voter Choice Act of 2016. The County was a pilot in this State to operate 11-day Vote Centers (VC) prior to election day. Instead of opening only on election day as a polling site, the pilot VCs operated anywhere from 4 to 10 days to allow folks to cast their ballots early, at more convenient times, including weekends. The VCs provides these advantages:

• Freedom to Vote – flexibility to vote on weekends
• More staff members – to assist voters
• More Voting machines – to accommodate a higher volume of voters
• Access to multi-lingual services – translators are present to assist voters
• Specialized voting machines – for voters with disabilities
• Ability to register voters – and print correct ballots – process Conditional Voter Registration
• Can receive Mail-In Ballots

This year in the March 3 Primary election the polling places were generally opened 7 am to 8 pm. The Robbie Waters polling place was very busy with nonstop voting from 10 am to 8 pm (when polling place closed). Around 5 pm, people had to wait about an hour to reach the voting booth. The following officials and community leaders came to the VCs: Sen. Richard Pan, Wm B. Shubb, Senior US Dist. Judge, and Dr. Alvin Cheung, President, California North State University.

Over 600 ballots were processed; including many hand-delivered “mail-in” ballots. During the 11 days, Honey and others processed check-in registration, verified party affiliation to printout correct ballot, processed computerized voting methods if person wanted to use touch-screen voting, received hand-delivered ballots and counted processed ballots during the day. Vote Centers took precautions; poll workers used hand sanitizers, washed hands, wore gloves, sanitized booths, pens and computerized devices.

The November election ballot will include State Propositions and local initiatives that affect funds and impacting communities. 2020 is also Census 2020; it is most important for EVERYONE to be actively involved and to be Counted. Disadvantaged communities need more help to keep people safe and healthy. CACS encourages you, your family and friends to register to VOTE. Mail the Ballots in Early. Mail-In Ballots can be mail back to the Sacramento County Register’s Office or hand-delivered to a Vote Center; (Golden One Center will be a 11-day Vote Center) on Election Day by 8 pm. Ballots received after 8 pm will not be counted.