Early voting is underway in Sonoma County, California for the upcoming November 2024 election. With the standard voter registration deadline having passed, citizens still have the chance to register through Election Day at the Registrar of Voters offices in Sonoma and Napa or at any vote center. These offices will process the conditional registration and count the ballot “if the person is eligible and has not already cast a ballot.”
The Secretary of State’s website offers more information on same-day voter registration, while the Press Democrat’s Voter Guide is available at election.pressdemocrat.com/guide
Early Voting Locations and Dates
Seven in-person voting centers are now open across Sonoma County, starting this past Saturday, October 26th, and will be open for 11 consecutive days leading up to Election Day on Tuesday, November 5th. The centers are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Election Day itself, where the hours will be extended from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Vote Centers Opening Dates and Locations
The following is a list of Vote Centers opening this weekend (listed in alphabetical order by city):
- Santa Rosa: Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building
- Santa Rosa: Sonoma County Registrar of Voters office
- Petaluma: Petaluma Community Center
- Sebastopol: Sebastopol Center for the Arts
An additional 24 Vote Centers will open for four consecutive days from Saturday, November 2nd to Election Day, November 5th, increasing the total number of Vote Centers to 31. These centers will be open during the same hours as the initial seven locations, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. before Election Day and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Ballot Drop Boxes
Voters can also drop off their ballots at one of the 22 official Ballot Drop Boxes located throughout the county. These drop boxes are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Get the Ballot Back Early
For those who are mailing in their ballots and are eager to have their vote counted for election night reports, the Registrar of Voters recommends getting the ballot back early. Voters mailing in ballots must ensure they are postmarked on or before Nov. 5, and ballots must be received by mail no later than Nov. 12 to be counted. Mail ballot tracking is available online through the state.
Election Day Transit
To further promote accessibility and ensure voting participation, Santa Rosa Transit, Petaluma Transit, and Sonoma County Transit will offer free transportation for all fixed routes on Election Day. The three transit agencies aim to reduce transportation and economic barriers to voting countywide, particularly for individuals who regularly rely on public transit for mobility.
Early Voting Numbers
Early mail ballot returns in Sonoma and Napa counties are trending behind the high early returns in the 2020 presidential election, according to election officials. While tens of thousands of ballots have been received at both elections offices, they are still behind the 2020 election numbers. As of Friday, Sonoma County had received 66,091 ballots out of 309,263 registered voters, equating to a 21.5% turnout. In Napa County, 16,794 ballots have been returned out of 85,000 registered voters, indicating a lower turnout compared to the same point in time in 2020.
Why the Difference?
The lower early returns in Sonoma County can be partially attributed to the sorting machine being down on Thursday, delaying ballot processing. However, the pandemic also played a significant role in Sonoma County’s higher early returns in 2020. “There was a lot of concern because of the pandemic about USPS being able to handle the volume of vote-by-mail nationwide,” said Deva Proto, Sonoma County’s registrar of voters. “There was a very big, concerted push from a lot of different organizations to get ballots back early.”
Despite the lower early return rate, Proto anticipates an overall turnout of 85% to 90% in Sonoma County, which is on par with recent general elections. While she cannot estimate how the turnout will break down between mail ballots and in-person voting, she encourages everyone to make their voice heard and “Get out and vote.”
Vote Centers and Ballot Drop Boxes
For a complete list and map of all Vote Centers and Official Ballot Drop Boxes, including addresses, dates, and times, visit the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters homepage and click on the List/Map of Drop Boxes and Vote Centers link under the “November 5, 2024, General Election” heading. All voting centers and ballot drop boxes will close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
A Time for Participation
This year's election is a crucial time to make your voice heard. With multiple options to participate – early in-person voting, mail-in ballots, and drop boxes – voters can choose the method that suits them best. The opportunity to cast your ballot and participate in democracy is at hand, so don't miss out on this vital civic responsibility. Be sure to check out the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters website for all the latest information and resources.
