Monday is Deadline to Register to Vote in March 12 State Senate Election

Two special elections take place this month and each carries its own set of deadlines. The first special election will fill the remaining two years of office for the 40th State Senate District and takes place March 12. The vacancy was created when the elected state senator resigned before his term expired to take a position in Congress.

The second special election takes place March 26 for San Diego City Council District 4 to replace an elected councilmember who resigned to take another position.

Despite the new redistricting boundaries, State law requires that the 2001-2010 district boundaries be used to fill both vacancies because those voters elected the original candidates. Voters who have questions on whether they live within the former boundaries can check at http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/voters/Eng/EproceedDL.html.

If eligible to vote in the March 12 special election for the 40th State Senate District, you must register by Monday, Feb. 25. If eligible to vote in the March 26 special election for San Diego City Council District 4, you must register by March 11. Some voters will be eligible to cast ballots in both elections.

You will need to register if you:
· are not currently registered
· recently moved
· recently changed your name

If you’re not sure about your registration, check it online at www.sdvote.com. If you’re not registered or need to change your registration, you’ll find the form there too. If your signature is confirmed through Department of Motor Vehicles records, it will automatically be sent to the Registrar. If the signature is not confirmed, the voter will be prompted at that time to print the form, sign it and mail it to the Registrar.

For voters without access to a computer, registration forms are also available at the Registrar of Voters office at 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite I, in Kearny Mesa, US Post Offices, public libraries, City Clerk offices and Department of Motor Vehicles offices. For voters who need language assistance, election materials are also available in Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese.

Registration forms must be postmarked or delivered to the Registrar by Feb. 25th for the March 12 election and March 11 for the March 26 election. Voters can register online until midnight on the respective voter registration deadlines. For more information, visit www.sdvote.com or call (858) 565-5800.