You have
Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters
Registrar of Voters
For Immediate Release
Sonoma County Registrar of Voters to hold public open house introducing new election model
Santa Rosa, CA | April 01, 2022
The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters announced today that it will host an open house event in April focused on the Voter’s Choice Act election model that is going into effect in Sonoma County this year.
Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Open House
Date: April 19
Time: 3 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: 435 Fiscal Drive, Santa Rosa, CA
Question and answer sessions are scheduled to take place at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. during the open house. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP and submit any questions they have ahead of time by email to rov-info@sonoma-county.org. The open house will also provide the public with an opportunity to vote at a mock vote center (replacing traditional polling places under the Voter’s Choice Act), tour the Registrar of Voters Office, and learn about how elections are conducted.
Background
The objective of the Voter’s Choice Act election model is to give voters more flexibility in choosing where, when and how to cast their ballots. As a Voter’s Choice Act county, Sonoma County will be required to do the following:
- Mail every active, registered voter a ballot for each election in which they are eligible to participate. Due to the passage of AB 37 last fall, this is now a requirement for all California counties.
- Offer a combination of official ballot drop boxes and vote centers instead of polling places. Vote centers offer several major advantages over polling places:
- Vote centers are open multiple days, not just Election Day.
- Properly registered voters in Sonoma County may cast a regular ballot at whichever vote center is most convenient for them. They do not have to go to a single preassigned location.
- Vote centers will provide voter services including conditional (i.e., same day) voter registration, change of address, language assistance, and accessible ballot marking devices for voters with disabilities or anyone who wants to use them.
The first election in Sonoma County to be conducted under the Voter’s Choice Act model will be the April 12 special election, which is being held to fill a Town Council vacancy in the Town of Windsor. The first countywide or statewide election to be conducted under the Voter’s Choice Act model will be the statewide direct primary election on June 7.
For more information, please call (707) 565-6800, email rov-info@sonoma-county.org, or visit the Registrar of Voters Office in person at 435 Fiscal Drive, Santa Rosa. The office is open regular business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, excluding holidays).
###
Contact Information:
Wendy Hudson
Chief Deputy Registrar of Voters
###