VOTING FAQs

May 21, 2013
SPECIAL ELECTION

WHY IS THERE A SPECIAL CONSOLIDATED ELECTION ON MAY 21, 2013? - An election is being conducted to fill vacancies in the 80th State Assembly District and San Diego City Council District 4. In each case, the election is to fill the two years remaining when the elected officials resigned their respective position.

For the 80th State Assembly District office, if no candidate receives a majority of the votes (50% + 1), a run-off election will be held between the top two vote-getters on July 30, 2013. For the San Diego City Council District 4 office, a special primary election was held on March 26, 2013, however, no candidate received a majority of the votes (50% + 1); therefore a run-off election is being held on May 21, 2013 between the top two vote-getters

Based on State and local law, vacancy elections are required to be conducted using the original political boundary lines of the vacated elected seat. As a result, the Special Run-off Election to fill the San Diego City Council District 4 office will be conducted using the 2001 redistricted boundary lines and only voters living within these boundaries are eligible to vote in the San Diego City Council District 4 Special Run-Off Election.

WHO CAN VOTE IN THE MAY 21, 2013 SPECIAL CONSOLIDATED ELECTION? - All registered voters who reside within the 80th State Assembly District and all registered voters who reside within the 2001 district boundaries of Council District 4 in the City of San Diego are eligible to vote. May 6, 2013 is the last day to register to vote in the election. You can register online at the Registrar of Voters website www.sdvote.com. Click on “Register to Vote” and follow the instructions. Voter registration cards are available at Post Office, Department of Motor Vehicles and Library buildings, as well as various City Clerk offices and the Registrar of Voters at 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite I, San Diego 92123. For more information, please call 858-565-5800.

WHERE WILL THE POLLS BE LOCATED? - There will be 146 poll locations within the State Assembly District 80th and 53 poll locations in the Special Run-Off for San Diego City Council District 4. Your poll location will be shown on the back cover of your sample ballot pamphlet. You may also determine your poll location by calling the Registrar of Voters at 858-565-5800 or by checking the Registrar’s website at www.sdvote.com.

POLLWORKERS - The Registrar is also recruiting poll workers for this election. Poll workers must be a U.S. citizen and a registered voter in California and can speak, read, and write the English language. Workers receive a volunteer stipend of $75 to $175 depending on their assignment. If you are interested in becoming a poll worker, please check the Registrar’s website at www.sdvote.com and/or call 858-565-5800.

WHAT IF YOU WANT TO VOTE BUT CANNOT MAKE IT TO THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY? - You may vote a mail ballot by (1) calling the Registrar of Voters and requesting an application; (2) completing the application card on the back of your sample ballot pamphlet; or (3) writing your own request. Applications should be sent to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite I, San Diego, 92123. A faxed application is also acceptable. The fax number is 858-694-2955.

- Written requests for a mail ballot must contain your name, registered address in San Diego, signature and address where the ballot is to be mailed. The deadline to request a mail ballot for the 80th State Assembly District Election and the San Diego City Council District 4 is Tuesday, May 14, 2013.

- You may also vote at the Office of the Registrar of Voters (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm) beginning on Monday, April 22, 2013, through Election Day. Please call 858-565-5800 for additional information.