Registrar of Voters announces virtual public meetings on Election Administration Plan

En español »

The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office announced today that it will hold virtual public meetings on July 10 and 11 to accept feedback on the county’s new draft Election Administration Plan and answer questions from the public.

The Election Administration Plan is a document informing voters how elections will be conducted in Sonoma County under the Voter’s Choice Act. The draft plan is available online in English and Spanish by going to SoCoVotes.com and clicking on the View New Draft Election Administration Plan link. Members of the public are strongly encouraged to look over the plan and attend either of the two Zoom meetings to ask questions and/or offer suggestions. Comments will also be accepted through July 11 by email (rov-info@sonoma-county.org), phone ([707] 565-6800), or in person at 435 Fiscal Dr. in Santa Rosa.

All comments and feedback will be taken into consideration and an amended draft plan will be posted on the Election Administration Plan webpage when it is available. At that time, members of the public will be invited to comment on the amended version before it is adopted and submitted to the California Secretary of State for final approval.

Meetings will be held virtually. Dates, times, and other relevant information are listed below. Both meetings will have a Spanish interpreter available and all are welcome to attend.

To join a meeting, go to the link provided, click the “Launch Meeting” button, and, if necessary, enter the appropriate passcode and/or Webinar ID.

Background

California law requires counties conducting elections under the Voter’s Choice Act election model – which Sonoma County implemented last year – to periodically review and update their Election Administration Plans.

The Voter’s Choice Act election model is a more streamlined method of conducting elections that expands voters’ options for when, where and how they may cast their ballots. Some of the key characteristics that distinguish it from prior election models include:

• In-person voting takes place at vote centers, not traditional polling places.

o  Vote centers are open multiple days, not just on Election Day (except in smaller special elections).

o  A registered voter can obtain the correct ballot at any vote center in the county; they are not assigned to one specific location.

o  Vote centers offer many additional voter services, some of which were previously only available at the main Registrar of Voters Office. These services include conditional (aka same-day) voter registration, address changes, language assistance, and accessible ballot marking devices for voters with disabilities or anybody else who wishes to use them.

• Additional official ballot drop-boxes are placed throughout the county, making it easier for voters to return their ballots.

For more information about these meetings or the Election Administration Plan, visit SoCoVotes.com, and click the “Voter’s Choice Act” option in the menu at the left followed by the Election Administration Plan option that appears below it. You may also call (707) 565-6800 (Toll-Free: [800] 750-VOTE [8683]; TDD: [800] 565-6888]), email rov-info@sonoma-county.org, or visit the Registrar of Voters Office in person at 435 Fiscal Drive in Santa Rosa. The office is open, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, excluding county holidays.