Sebastopol Voter Information

November 5, 2024, General Election

General Voter Information:

• California Secretary of State - click here.
• Sonoma County Registrar of Voters - click here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can I find out if I'm already registered to vote? You can check online to make sure you're registered to vote here. This will also show you the address that the County has listed for you. You can also find out if you're registered to vote by calling 565-6800 (Sonoma County Registrar of Voters).

Is there still time to register to vote? Yes! The deadline for the regular voter registration process is October 21. That means your online application must be submitted by then, or your mailed-in registration form must be postmarked by then. Note: if your name or address has changed, or you want to change your party affiliation, you will need to re-register.

Is there some way to register right up through election day? Yes, you can register in person at the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters offices at 435 Fiscal Drive in Santa Rosa (phone number 565-6800), right up through election day. (Their hours are Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, although on election day the office is open 7am-8pm).

Who is eligible to vote? You must be a U.S. citizen, a California resident, 18 years or older on Election Day, not currently in a state or federal prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony, and not currently found by a court to be mentally incompetent to vote. These rules, plus more information about voting rights for people with a criminal history, can be found here.  Information for people under a conservatorship can be found here.

When can I vote? As soon as you receive your mail-in ballot you can vote. Our advice: VOTE RIGHT AWAY!!!!

How do I submit my mail-in ballot? The easiest local option is to take your ballot to the secure drop box at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts at 282 South High (open through 8pm on election day). You can also place your ballot in the mail. Note that mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than election day and must be received no later than 17 days after election day. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to the County Registrar of Voters (435 Fiscal Drive in Santa Rosa) anytime, but no later than 8pm on election day. 

Can I vote in person even if I have a mail-in ballot? Yes. Bring your mail-in ballot with you and exchange it for a polling place ballot. It's a good idea to bring a form of ID. Click here for an explanation. 

Where can I vote in-person? Locally, you can go to the Sebastopol Center for the Arts (282 S. High Street) beginning Saturday October 26, through election day. The hours are hours are 9am to 5pm, seven days a week, except for Election Day, when the hours are 7am to 8pm. The other alternative for in-person voting is the Registrar of Voters in Santa Rosa (435 Fiscal Drive), available October 26 through election day. The hours are Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm; and on Election Day 7am to 8pm. 

How can I double-check drop box and in-person voting locations and hours? Go to the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters website here, or call the office at 565-6800. 

How can I find out if my ballot has been rejected, so I can correct it? Sign up for "Track my Ballot." You can select how you want to be notified (email, text, or phone call). You'll be alerted when your ballot has been mailed, received, counted, and if there are issues. If there are issues, like a missing or unverifiable signature, you'll be notified that you can cast a provisional ballot, giving officials more time to review and verify your voter status. 

Who counts my vote and when do they start? The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters office will count our votes. They begin on election day, although they're allowed to process vote-by-mail ballots seven business days in advance. That means they can start to verify the signature on the return envelopes and tally the number of votes that have been cast. Results can't be tabulated until after the polls have closed at 8 p.m. on election day.

What do I do if I try to vote and am told that my voter status can't be confirmed? Ask to submit a provisional ballot. You'll be allowed to vote, but told that your vote won't be counted until your voter status is confirmed. This is what happens if, for example, you try to vote in person but don't have your mail-in ballot with you, or your name doesn't appear on the voting rolls, or you don't have ID with you. You can then call the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters (565-6800) to check the status of your provisional ballot. 

Whatever you do, we urge you to vote in this election. Your right to vote is precious. We need every voice to be heard on November 5, 2024.