During the June primary San Luis Obispo County’s voter turnout was nearly 14.52 points higher than the statewide average.
Something new during the June election was the use of the E-Pollbooks, a change for those using mail-in ballots at their assigned polling location.
“Ballot that they voted on at home and place it into the ballot box with the precinct ballots and that ballot will then be counted on election night," said Elaina Cano, San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder.
Cano says there is something else voters should keep in mind when voting by mail, since it’s no longer certain the post office will postmark the envelope the day its put in the mail box.
“Place their ballot into the mailbox if they want to put it into the mailbox at least seven days before the election to ensure that it gets postmarked in a timely manner and then received in our office,” Cano said.
For local elections there are about 24 vacant ballot positions that need to be filled or else a special election would need to happen. Which can be quite costly.
“Maybe $10, $15 thousand dollars and it could be more than $100 thousand dollars," Cano said.
Deputy Director Registrar Penny Boyd told KSBY News the elections office is usually packed with permanent staff and about 15 temporary workers during elections.
“We also have staff at the counter," Boyd said. "Helping the voters who come in to either drop off their vote by mail, get a replacement ballot, ask a question."
Whether you vote in person or by mail one thing is for certain.
“We encourage anyone to come and just observe the process," Boyd said. "Stay the whole day, stay for a few hours. I’m always available to answer questions.”
