Your New Voting Experience is Here
San Benito County Elections Department is modernizing voting and providing voters with greater flexibility and convenience.
What’s changing?
Starting with the June 7, 2022, Statewide Direct Primary Election
- Every registered voter will receive a Vote by Mail ballot starting 29 days before Election Day
- Voters can vote at any of the Vote Centers in San Benito County
- 1 Vote Center will be open 11 days, including Election Day
- 3 Additional Vote Centers will be open for 4 days, including Election Day
- 6 Drop Boxes will be open for 29 days, including Election Day
Compared to the traditional polling place model, there are more locations to get a replacement ballot (on-demand), more accessible voting machines, and more language assistance at Vote Centers.
For information on accessible voting visit our VAAC page or for language assistance our LAAC page.
Voter’s Choice Act Implementation
The Voters Choice Act is a new law passed by the California State Legislature in 2016. The VCA was implemented successfully in the Counties of Butte, Nevada, El Dorado, Amador, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Napa, Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, and Orange.
San Benito County Voter’s Choice Act Timeline
| Event Date | Description |
|---|---|
| December 17, 2021 | Publish Amended EAP (14 day Public Comment Begins) |
| December 20, 2021 | Issue Public Hearing #3 Notice |
| December 31, 2021 | Deadline for Public Comment |
| January 6, 2022 | Public Hearing #3 |
| January 7, 2022 | Publish Amended EAP (14 day Public Comment Begins) |
| January 21, 2022 | Deadline for Public Comment |
| January 22, 2022 | Public Hearing #4 and Adopt the Elections Administration Plan |
San Benito County EAP
A draft of the Election Administration Plan (EAP) was developed and published based on input from public hearings and public comment. The plan outlines how the County will implement the new voting model.
To submit written comments regarding the EAP, please email to: sbcvote@cosb.us.
| Release Date | English | Español |
|---|---|---|
| January 7, 2022 | Draft - 1/7/2022 | Borrador - 7/1/2022 |
| December 17, 2021 | Draft - 12/17/2021 | Borrador - 17/12/2021 |
| December 8, 2022 | Draft - 12/8/2021 | Borrador - 8/12/2021 |
| July 29, 2021 | Draft - 7/29/2021 | No disponible |
Public Hearings
The Public Hearing is primarily intended to obtain public testimony on implementation of the VCA voting model. This provides interested parties with the opportunity to expand on the written EAP draft and to discuss concerns with election officials in a public forum. Any organization or person can attend a hearing, either to speak to the written draft or simply to observe the proceedings.
A transcript of proceedings is produced for the record and to inform those unable to attend the hearing of the discussions that took place. A complete transcript of the hearing will subsequently be available on the VCA website page.
| Meeting Date | Agendas | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| January 22, 2022 1:00 PM - Spanish | Audiencia pública n° 4 | |
| January 22, 2022 11:00 AM - English | Public Hearing #4 | |
| January 6, 2022 7:30 PM - Spanish | Audiencia pública n° 3 | |
| January 6, 2022 6:00 PM - English | Public Hearing #3 | |
| December 8, 2021 | Public Hearing #2 | 12/8/2021 Recording |
Zoom information:
- Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81779802811?pwd=R1lhRmFvTmxBanJtZmlKOWhUNjVnZz09
- English Meeting at: 11:00 AM
- Spanish Meeting at: 1:00 PM
- Meeting ID: 817 7980 2811
- Passcode: 584956
- Phone: (669) 900-6833 US (San Jose)
For more information, please call toll free: (877) 777-4017 or email: sbcvote@cosb.us.
Fact Sheets
Secretary of State Fact Sheet (English): https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/vca/vca-quickfacts.pdf
Common Cause Fact Sheet (English): https://www.commoncause.org/california/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2018/04/VCA-One-Pager.pdf
San Benito County Fact Sheet (Spanish): in progress
