Exercise your right as Americans to vote -- California voter registration deadline is October 22nd

Oct 10, 2012

Dear Friend,

I want to take this important opportunity to remind you of California’s upcoming deadline on October 22nd to register to vote in the November 6th General Election. Whether it's your first time voting or you are an experienced voter who has moved and simply need to re-register to vote, it’s important to make sure you have the chance to get out and vote so your voice is heard.

To participate in an election, Californians need to be registered to vote at least 15 days before Election Day. To register to vote, you must complete a voter registration form. You can do this by:

· Completing an online voter registration form. To be eligible to vote in the November 6, 2012, General Election, you must finish and submit your electronic form before midnight Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on October 22, 2012;

· Mailing a completed fillable voter registration form. Simply fill in the information requested on each screen, then print the form, sign it, and mail it directly to the county elections office address that is pre-printed on the form;

· Picking up a form from a nearby location such as your county elections office, local library, or U.S. post office; or

· Calling the Secretary of State's toll-free Voter Hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683) and asking for a form.

Additionally, any registered voter may vote using a vote-by-mail ballot instead of going to the polls on Election Day. California law also allows any registered voter to become a permanent vote-by-mail voter. To request a vote-by-mail ballot for one election or to become a permanent vote-by-mail voter, follow the simple process described below.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call my office at (209) 579-5458. I also encourage you to visit the California Secretary of State’s Voting in California website (www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-in-california), where you can apply to register to vote or fill in a printable vote-by-mail application, find your polling place and learn what to expect on Election Day. You can also learn more about your rights and responsibilities as a voter, find answers to your questions about elections and voting, and get informed about the issues on the next statewide election ballot.

Free and fair elections are critical to our democracy. If you witness or suspect election fraud, you can contact the California Secretary of State Elections Division at 1(800) 345-VOTE.

It is your right as Americans to vote. No matter who you vote for, I encourage you to take the time to practice your civic duty and vote on November 6th.

Sincerely,