It's Election Time

Santa Cruz voters will start seeing ballots showing up in mail boxes this week. The Santa Cruz County Elections Department mailed more than 59,500 ballots Monday.

"We are at a record number of vote by mail voters," said County Clerk Gail Pellerin.

And for those who still like to vote in person, the County Clerk/Elections Department office at 701 Ocean St. Room 210 also opened Monday for in-person voting.

Santa Cruz County voters can stop by the office between 8am and 5pm Monday through Friday through Nov. 2 to vote. Residents can also drop off or pick up ballots there. Plus, a white drop box will also be placed outside the country building for 24-hour drop off of completed ballots.

In addition, Santa Cruz County residents can still register to vote through Oct. 18.

In the past few years, the number of residents who vote by mail has increased. For the 2008 General Election, more than 70,000 mail in ballots were issued.

"Typically, the presidential General Election gets the highest turnout," said Pellerin. "We hope to get that same level of enthusiasm."

The Elections Department urges voters to remember to sign their ballot envelopes.

"Unfortunately, if there is no signature on the vote-by-mail ballot return envelope or if the signature on the envelope does not compare to the voter's signature on his or her voter's registration card, elections officials cannot count the ballot," an Elections Department news release states.