How to vote in the Nov. 3 general election

Registered voters in Hayward and across the state will begin receiving vote-by-mail ballots today under special COVID-19 voting procedures ordered by Governor Gavin Newsom for the Nov. 3, 2020, general election.

Under the executive order issued by Newsom on May 8, the election in California is being held as an all-mail ballot election.  Accordingly, all registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot in the mail, though physical locations still will be provided for early and Election Day in-person voting.

Voters can return their completed ballot by mail or by dropping it in one of several ballot-drop boxes in Hayward and throughout Alameda County up until 8 p.m. on election night.  In either case, place the completed ballot in the prepaid postage return envelope that accompanied the vote-by-mail ballot and sign the envelope before mailing or placing it in a drop box.

Completed ballots being returned by mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day.

In addition, several in-person voting locations are being established for early and Election Day voting where voters will be able to vote in person; drop off a vote-by-mail ballot; use devices that allow voters with disabilities to vote independently; receive a replacement ballot; obtain language assistance; and register to vote or update voter registration information.

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 19.  Residents who are eligible to vote but miss the Oct. 19 deadline can register and vote at any of the accessible in-person voting locations.  These locations will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, Sunday, Nov. 1, and Monday, Nov. 2, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.

For more information—including links to listings and maps of ballot drop box and accessible voting locations—go online here to the Hayward City Clerk’s How-to-Vote webpage.

Hayward area ballot drop box locations: