Election enters last week--with multiple voting options, same-day registration still available

Hayward residents who have yet to cast a ballot or register to vote still have multiple options for having their say on a multitude of local, state and national races, measures and propositions as the Nov. 3 general presidential and municipal election heads into its final week.

By executive order of Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Nov. 3 general election in California is being held as an all-mail election—with all registered voters to be provided a vote-by-mail ballot and ready access to 24-hour ballot drop boxes.

Voters can return completed ballots by mail or by placing them in one of 66 official Alameda County of Registrar of Voters drop boxes up until 8 p.m. on election night.  In either case, first place the completed ballot in the prepaid postage return envelope that accompanied the vote-by-mail ballot and sign the envelope before mailing or placing it in a drop box.  Completed ballots being returned by mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day, Nov. 3. Voters have until Oct. 27 to request a new ballot if they lost or misplaced their original one.

Several in-person voting locations also are being established for early and Election Day voting.  At these sites, voters will be able to vote in person; drop off a vote-by-mail ballot; use devices that allow voters with disabilities to vote independently; receive a replacement ballot; obtain language assistance; and register to vote or update voter-registration information.

And, while the last day to register in advance to vote was Oct. 19, residents who are eligible but missed that deadline can still complete a Conditional Voter Registration and cast a ballot at any of the accessible in-person voting locations.  These accessible in-person voting locations will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, Sunday, Nov. 1, and Monday, Nov. 2, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.  A map of 100 accessible in-person voting locations (including nine Hayward locations listed at the end of this article) is available here on the Registrar of Voters website.  For more information on voting in Alameda County, visit www.acvote.org/community/partnerships.

Of the 66 official Alameda County ballot drop boxes, several have been in installed in Hayward and adjoining unincorporated areas.  Boxes are in place at Hayward City Hall, 777 B Street; Chabot Community College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd. (near the campus bus stop close to Building 200); Cal State University East Bay, 25800 W. Loop Rd. (between the old and new Student Union); Cherryland Park, 198 Grove Way; San Felipe Community Park, 2058 D St.; Weekes Community Center, 27182 Patrick Ave.; and the Hayward Hall of Justice at 24405 Amador St.  An updated map of Alameda County drop box locations is available here on the Alameda County Registrar of Voters website.

For more information on the Hayward municipal election—in which voters will decide on two ballot measures and elect four candidates to seats on the seven member City Council, visit the Hayward general municipal election page on the City of Hayward website.  On Election Day, the Hayward City Clerk’s Office will be answering phones to assist voters from 7 a.m. to 8 pm.  Voters can call (510) 583-4400 and (510) 583-4444. 

According to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters, the nine Hayward accessible in-person voting locations are:

• Downtown Hayward Public Library, 888 C St.
• Cal State East Bay, New University Union #2, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd.
• Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd.
• Southland Mall, 1 Southland Mall Dr.
• Saint Clement Church, McCollum Hall, 738 Calhoun St.
• Palma Ceia Baptist Church, 28605 Ruus Rd.
• Mission Paradise Banquet Hall, 31115 Mission Blvd.
• Life West College, 25001 Industrial Blvd.
• Fairview Elementary School, 23515 Maud Ave.