Important Dates

June 5, 2012 is the scheduled date for the California Presidential Primary Election. Under a new voter approved method, all candidates (except presidential candidates), including those preferring major parties, minor parties, or no party at all, will be on the same ballot. Voters will be able to freely choose among the candidates regardless of their party preference or the candidate's party preference. Only the top two vote getters for each office including U. S. Senate, U.S. Representative, State Senate, and State Assembly will advance to the November 6, 2012 General Election. This is different from past primaries where the top vote getter from each political party would advance to the general election.

June 5, 2012 is also the election date for nonpartisan offices, including Superior Court judges; Board of Supervisors (Districts 1, 2 & 3); San Diego County Board of Education (Districts 1, 2 & 4); San Diego Community College (Districts B & D); San Diego Unified School (Districts A, D & E); Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College (Trustee Area 3 & 4); City of San Diego (Mayor, City Attorney and Council Districts 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9); and City of Chula Vista (Council Seats 3 & 4).

2. WHO CAN VOTE IN THIS ELECTION?

All registered voters in the County of San Diego are eligible to vote. The last day to register to vote for this election is Monday, May 21, 2012. Voters may use the registration form available at www.sdvote.com,. Click here and follow the process to register to Vote. Voter registration cards are also available at post offices, Department of Motor Vehicles offices, libraries, City Clerk offices, and the Registrar of Voters at 5201 Ruffin Road office, Suite I, San Diego (Kearny Mesa area).

PLEASE REMEMBER: Voters who have moved or changed their name or party preferencemust re-register no later than May 21, 2012 to ensure they receive all election material.

IMPORTANT: The Federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) requires voters to enter their California driver's license number or their California ID number on their voter registration affidavit. Voters who do not have a California driver's license or ID number may use the last four digits of their Social Security number. For more information, please call 858-565-5800.

3. WHAT IF YOU DECLINE TO PROVIDE A POLITICAL PARTY PREFERENCE FOR THE JUNE 5, 2012 PRIMARY ELECTION?

Voters who decline to provide a political party preference (formerly known as "decline to state" voters), may be able to vote for party candidates in the Presidential Primary Election. Political parties have the right to allow voters who have no party preference to vote in their presidential primary elections. Political parties must make this decision by January 24, 2012 and notify the Secretary of State's office. Ballots for parties that allow voters with no party preference to vote in their presidential primaries are available at the polls on Election Day or by contacting the Registrar of Voters office.

4. WHERE WILL THE POLLS BE LOCATED?

Voters will find their polling place location printed on the back of the SAMPLE BALLOT AND VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET they receive prior to the election. This information is also available at the Registrar's website at www.sdvote.com beginning on May 16, 2012.

5. WHAT IF YOU WANT TO VOTE BUT CANNOT GO TO THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY?

Voters who wish to vote by mail may (1) call the Registrar of Voters and request an application; (2) complete the application card on the back of their SAMPLE BALLOT AND VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET; or (3) send a written request that includes name, registered address in San Diego County, signature and address where the ballot is to be mailed. Applications should be mailed to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite I, San Diego, 92123 or faxed to 858-694-2955.

Mail ballot applications should be submitted as soon as possible, but not later than May 29, 2012. The Registrar will begin mailing ballots to Military and Overseas voters on April 21, 2012 (45 days before Election Day) and to all other mail ballot voters on May 7th (29 days before Election Day).

In-office voting will begin at the Registrar of Voters office on Monday, May 7, 2012, and continue through Election Day. The Registrar's Office will be open for voting Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Saturday, June 2, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

REMEMBER: Voted mail ballots must be received at the Registrar of Voters office or at any polling place located in the County of San Diego no later than 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

For further information, please call the Registrar of Voters at (858) 565-5800.