TRACY, Calif. — Early voting has been going on for some time in California. According to the Secretary of State, more than 2.7 million people have already voted. With Election Day looming, San Joaquin County is making it easier than ever to cast your vote, and voters don’t even have to leave their car!
The county’s “Drive Up Democracy!” program allows voters to drop off their ballots at several locations by simply driving up and letting election officers take care of the rest.
“It’s that simple. So there really is no excuse for people not to vote,” Maurice Taylor, a San Joaquin County election technician said.
Even though postage isn’t required on returned vote-by-mail ballots, with "Drive Up Democracy!” you can be sure the ballots get to the elections office on time.
“We figured, the easier it is for voters the more they will participate in the election, which is what we want,” Taylor added.
The locations and hours were strategically selected for San Joaquin residents who spend most of their day commuting to and from work. Kay Gilbert, who lives in Tracy and commutes to work every day, took advantage of one of the several drop-off locations on Monday morning.
“We all work and come back late so this is really helpful,” she said.
“That’s ultimately what we are here for,” Taylor said.
For commuters, “Drive Up Democracy!” drop-off locations will be active during early morning and evening hours on Monday, March 2. Two senior centers will have "Drive Up Democracy!" hours from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on those weekdays.
On Election Day, Tuesday March 3, drop-off locations will have extended hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“On Election Day, we will also have voting service centers available to make things more accessible for voters,” Taylor explained.
"Drive-up Democracy!" drop-off locations and hours:
Monday, March 2
Commuter Location Hours:
Hours: 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. & 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Manteca/Lathrop ACE Train Station
17800 Shideler Pkwy., Manteca 95336
Tracy ACE Train Station
4800 Tracy Blvd., Tracy 95377
Senior Center Location Hours:
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lodi Senior Center
125 S. Hutchins Street Square, Lodi 95240
Manteca Senior Center
295 Cherry Lane, Manteca 95337
Tuesday, March 3 – ELECTION DAY
Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Lodi Voter Service Center, Hutchins Street Square
125 S. Hutchins St., Lodi
Manteca Voter Service Center, El Concilio
1215 W. Center St., Manteca
Stockton Voter Service Center
4534 Precissi Lane, Stockton
Tracy Voter Service Center, Workvine 209
1005 E Pescadero Ave., Tracy
County Administration Building
44 N. San Joaquin St., Stockton
Visit the "Drive Up Democracy!" web page for a full list of dates, times and locations.
On Election Day, you can turn in your ballot at any open polling place in California.
Any resident with questions can visit the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters website or call 209-468-VOTE (8683) for information about registering to vote, finding polling places, voting by mail and information about candidates and measures.
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