The 2021 California Recall Election: Where To Vote, How To Check Your Vote

Election officials across the state noted on Monday that, with less than a day to go before the election, that all voting options on Tuesday remain open.

“There’s been a lot of talk about fraud and not counting ballots, or ballots being stolen and we recognize that some people may not completely trust some methods,” explained Ricardo, an election volunteer who is helping run a voting site in Los Angeles County, to the Globe on Monday.

“Between me, Ricardo, and several others we have talked to, there is concern over that,” added Julia, a Kern County election site volunteer leader. “We’ve talked with white conservatives with a lot of concerns over possible fraud, Latino voters who are afraid their vote won’t count, elderly voters voting by mail who don’t know if their vote went through, and even younger voters with COVID concerns who don’t want to vote in-person with the new variant out there.”

“And you know, this is exactly why we have multiple voting methods, extensive verifications to avoid things like double voting, and both websites and phone numbers to call in to check if we got and counted your vote.”

Have you already voted for the #2021CARecall? Whether you vote by mail or vote in person, you can track your ballot and see the moment it’s counted! Sign up at https://t.co/3zQeYmt5Ut. #VoteSafeCA pic.twitter.com/Zpo1D3vvh2

— CA SOS Vote (@CASOSvote) September 5, 2021

According to the California Secretary of State’s Office, by-mail ballots can still go out if postmarked by September 14th. Voting drop boxes will accept votes by 8 PM, with polling places open until 8PM as well, although they may remain open later if there is a line of people who entered it before 8 PM.

For voters who don’t know where their polling place or drop off box are, the California SOS has a County-sorted list of websites and phone numbers to contact. For voters who are unsure or concerned if their ballot was received, the California SOS also has a ballot tracking service for votes.

Those concerned about voting status can also check “My Voter Status” on another SOS site. Fill in the questions: Name, birthdate, California drivers license number or ID number, last 4 digits of your Social Security card, and click submit.

“There are a bunch of ways to check everything,” continued Ricardo. “And it’s available through multiple methods, multiple languages, and just in every way to be transparent. We know we won’t escape some allegations. It’s happened in the last several elections. But we’re doing our best to be open about this as much as legally possible and have everyone’s vote count.”

“Yeah. It sucks when something like some nut steals 300 ballots and is found with them in his car,” chimed in Julia. “But we’re doing our best to counter things like that, and yes, absolutely report things like that. It’s one of the ways we can maintain a fair election.”

“We’re trying to make this as fair and transparent as possible.”