Register to Vote

Save The Date

March 4-23, 2010 – Sample ballot booklet mailed to each registered voter during this period

March 15, 2010 – Vote by Mail — First day to apply. VBM Applications may be submitted between these dates (both dates inclusive). Applications received prior to the 29th day preceding the election will be kept and processed during this period.

March 29, 2010 – Last day to register to vote.

April 6, 2010 – Vote by Mail — Last day to apply. VBM Applications may be submitted between these dates (both dates inclusive). Applications received prior to the 29th day preceding the election will be kept and processed during this period.

April 13, 2010 – ELECTION DAY

Questions/Answers About Voting in Long Beach

Who may register to vote?/When may I register to vote?

A person entitled to register to vote must be a United States citizen, a resident of California, not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony, and at least 18 years of age at the time of the election (California Elections Code Section 2101).

When does registration close?

A person must be registered 15 days prior to election day in order to vote in an election.

How may I register to vote?/Where can I find voter registration forms?

You may register by completing a voter registration form available in most government offices, including city halls, libraries, DMVs and post offices, or online at http://www.ss.ca.gov/. You may also contact the City Clerk Department at (562) 570-6101 and request that a voter registration form be mailed to you.

May I register to vote using my business address or a P.O. Box?

No. A person may only register to vote at his/her place of residence. A business address or a P.O. Box number may only be used as a mailing address.

Do I have to re-register for each election?/When is it necessary to reregister?

You are registered to vote as long as you remain at the same address, and you should continue to receive election materials in the mail. However, if you move to a different address or have not voted in the last several elections, you may be sent a notice requesting that you either confirm that you have not moved or provide current residence address information. Your registration may be canceled for failure to respond to an address confirmation mailing. You must re-register when you move, change your name or wish to change your political party affiliation.

How can I find out if I’m registered to vote?

Please contact the City Clerk Department at (562) 570-6101 for voter registration information.

I just moved and did not re-register. Will I be eligible to vote?

If you were previously registered within the City of Long Beach and moved within the City’s boundaries, you can vote at the polling place for your new address. You should bring your California Driver’s License or ID with your current address

Is the information I provide on my voter registration form available to the public?

Voter registration information is available to the public (with the exception of any unique identifiers such as California drivers license/identification number, social security number, etc.) pursuant to California Elections Code Section 2194, except for
those persons who qualify for confidential status pursuant to California Elections Code Section 2166.

Ways to Vote

The State of California and the City of Long Beach provide two methods of casting your ballot. You may use a traditional polling place on the date of the election, or you may cast your ballot in the Vote-by-Mail process. Each method is a valid way to exercise your voting franchise.

Casting your ballot at a polling place is as old as our country. Poll workers are on hand to assist you in understanding the proper procedure for marking the ballot, assist those with disabilities of any nature, and provide language assistance if needed.

Vote-by-Mail has been available to all voters for several years. Eligible voters may request a vote-by-mail ballot approximately a month prior to the election and vote that ballot from the privacy of their home. A new option in recent years is the ability to declare yourself a permanent vote-by-mail voter. Each election a ballot will automatically be sent to your residence or mailing address without requesting it. Detailed information on ways to vote follows below in a series of questions and answers. Remember! It does not matter how you vote, just vote.

Where do I go to vote/where is my polling place?

Your polling place location is printed on the back cover of your sample ballot booklet. Please check the polling place address for each election because locations often change. Also, poll locations are available at www.LAVOTE.net or by calling (562) 570-6101.

What are the poll hours of operation?

Polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Why was my polling place changed?

In California, there are no permanent polling sites. Locations may change from election to election if a facility previously used is not available for a particular election. Changes to precinct boundaries may sometimes occur when precincts are consolidated or realigned, especially for local elections that are not statewide. Voters should refer to their sample ballot pamphlet to make sure that they go to the correct polling place location.

What do I do if my polling place is not open when I arrive election morning?

Check the address on the back cover of your sample ballot pamphlet to make sure you have gone to the right location. Polling places often change between elections. If you are at the correct location, call the City Clerk Department at (562) 570-6101 to report that the polling place is not open.

Can I take my sample ballot or my own written voting choices into the voting booth?

Yes. It is recommended that you mark your voting choices in your sample ballot and take it to your poll location on Election Day to use as a reference. This will allow you to vote your ballot quickly. Remember to take your sample ballot out of the voting booth after
you have completed voting.

If I do not know what to do when I get to the polling place, will someone help me?

Yes. Ask the election poll workers to help you with the voting process. Poll workers are forbidden to help you in making decisions on your voting choices.

Can I vote for someone whose name is not listed on the ballot?

Yes, if the person is a qualified write-in candidate. Only votes for qualified write-in candidates will be counted. Ask election poll workers or call the City Clerk Department for a list of those candidates. The poll worker or City Clerk Department staff can assist you with write-in voting procedures.

Who may vote-by-mail?

Any registered voter may apply to vote-by-mail.

How Can I vote a vote-by-mail ballot?

Rather than going to the polling place to cast a ballot on Election Day, you may request a vote-by-mail ballot. Any registered voter may apply for a vote-by-mail ballot. Applying is easy. Simply select one of the following options:

By Mail: 1) Complete the vote-by-mail ballot application that is on the back cover
of the sample ballot pamphlet (sent to you prior to each election) and mail to the
City Clerk Department.

By Mail: 2) Send a signed letter requesting a vote-by-mail ballot to the Long
Beach City Clerk Department, 333 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802.

By Fax: The completed application or signed letter may also be faxed to the City
Clerk Department at (562) 570-6789. If you apply in writing or by fax, your
request must include your name, your residence/home address, the mailing
address where you want your vote-by-mail ballot to be sent and the name and the
date of the election for which you are applying. Remember to sign and date your
request!

By Internet: Download and complete a vote-by-mail ballot application and fax
back to the City Clerk Department at (562) 570-6789. Further information can be
obtained by calling the City Clerk Department Vote-By-Mail Section at (562)
570-6101.

When can I apply for a vote-by-mail ballot?

29 days prior to the election is the first day to submit vote-bymail ballot requests. You may apply sooner than 29 days prior; however the vote-by-mail ballot will be mailed out 29 days prior to the election.