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-Editorial
Representatives from the California Secretary of State’s office recently met with Ethnic Media Services in a briefing designed to empower voters with essential tools and information for the upcoming election. The event included a presentation followed by a Q&A session, where officials addressed questions about resources aimed at enhancing the voting experience for California’s diverse communities.
The briefing highlighted critical voter resources, including the “Where’s My Ballot” tracking tool, the Voter Status check, multilingual Voter Hotlines, and “Know Your Rights” information. Attendees also learned about strategies to help voters plan their trip to the polls and received a comprehensive overview of various voting options.
This session provided ethnic media with updated tools to support their audiences in navigating the voting process smoothly and participating confidently in the democratic process.
Joe Kocurek, Deputy Secretary of State for Communications, spoke to a packed room of journalists, emphasizing the importance of accurate information for voters. “As you know, we’re in a political environment where there’s a lot of unreliable information,” Kocurek stated. “One of the reasons we wanted to have this briefing is to ensure that your audiences receive accurate information. We’re hoping you’ll help us out with that.”
With just over a week until Election Day on November 5, Kocurek outlined the fundamental procedures for voters in California. He explained the multiple ways in which residents can cast their votes, from mailing ballots to using secure drop boxes or voting in person. “Voters can vote now,” he emphasized, clarifying that ballots returned by mail need to be postmarked by Election Day and received by November 12 to be counted.
For those opting for a secure drop box, Kocurek noted, “We make it very easy in California for eligible voters to return their ballot.” He reassured voters concerned about mail reliability that California has taken extensive steps to ensure all ballots are secure and accounted for. “If people feel like their mail isn’t reliable or they’re a little more concerned, they should probably do it as soon as they possibly can,” he suggested.
He also reminded voters about the importance of signing the envelope containing their ballot. “One of the things voters need to remember is that they need to sign the back of the envelope,” Kocurek explained, noting that this signature is used to verify each voter’s identity. “It’s a critical step in the process.”
As Election Day nears, Kocurek emphasized that those who haven’t received their mail-in ballot or who are unsure of their party affiliation can check their voter status online at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. Although online registration is now closed, Californians can still register to vote in person at polling places, vote centers, or local election offices. “If they want to, they can register and vote the same day,” he said. This “conditional registration” involves submitting a provisional ballot, which will be counted after verifying the voter’s eligibility.
For multilingual communities, Kocurek highlighted the availability of voter hotlines in ten languages. This service aims to ensure that California’s diverse electorate can access reliable voting information in their preferred language.
“We’re here to provide clear, straightforward information so every eligible voter can exercise their right,” Kocurek concluded. “Your role in helping us get the word out is invaluable.”
