Election official says early voting will help

County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Rebecca Martinez says voters who vote by mail should return their ballots early. They also need to remember to sign the blue return identification envelope that comes with the ballot.

A vote-by-mail ballot will not be counted without a signature.

“If you already returned your ballot, and the signature was missing or does not match our records,” Martinez said, “you will receive notification and a form for your completion.”

Voted ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received no more than three days after the election to be considered timely, Martinez said. No postage is needed to return ballots by mail. Ballots may also be dropped off at secure Ballot Drop Boxes or to any Vote Center in Madera County.

“To avoid lines, vote before Election Day,” Martinez said. “Vote Centers are open on weekends.” Ballot Drop Box and Vote Center locations, dates and hours of operation are printed in the County Voter Information Guide and online at www.votemadera.com.

To check the status of a Vote by Mail Ballot online, visi www.votemadera.com.

For more information, contact the Elections Division at 675-7720 or toll-free at 800-435-0509.