Still holding your ballot? Skip the mailbox if you can

Merced County voters who still have a ballot at home have until Tuesday to return it, but elections officials advised against waiting on the mail.

Ballots sent by mail must be postmarked by Nov. 3. Because of recent changes to how the U.S. Postal Service applies postmarks, the county recommended mailing ballots at least seven days before Election Day, or by Oct. 28. That date has passed, so voters who haven’t sent theirs in can use another option.

Where you can still vote

• A ballot drop box. Locations are on the county’s official list.
• A vote center. The county has 15 across its communities. They opened in stages starting Oct. 24, and days and hours vary, so check the list before you go.
• The county Elections Office. It’s at 2222 M St. in Merced.

If you aren’t registered

The regular deadline to register passed on Oct. 19, but you can still register and vote conditionally at any vote center or at the Elections Office through Election Day.

Check on your ballot

You can check your voter status or track your ballot through the California Secretary of State.

Questions go to the Registrar of Voters at (209) 385-7541. Locations and hours are on the county’s election page, and our voter guide lists the local measures.

Source: Merced County Elections notice, Aug. 25