Does My Vote Really Count?

by Khae Saeturn

Many people today ask themselves this question year after year… and the simple answer to that is:  Yes, it really does count!   With the 2012 Presidential election year, it’s an extremely exciting and important time to vote. Elections are about voting for local, state, and federal legislators who make decisions about Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, Medicare, and many other services that affect you and the health of your family and community. Here are some quick facts:

Voter Registration 101
How do I register to vote?

Ways you can register:

  • Visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections & register online by printing the registration form and mailing it to your county elections office
  • Pick up a voter registration card from your county elections office
  • Apply at participating voter registration drives

I just moved; do I need to re-register?

Yes, you most certainly do!  You must re-register if you move to a new permanent residence, change your name and/or change your political party choice.  The process to re-register is the same as registering as a new voter.

How do I vote by mail (often referred as absentee voting)?

  • If you’re a new voter or re-registering, there will be a checkbox to select on your voter registration form to receive your ballot in the mail.
  • If you’re already registered, visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_m.htm and print out theCalifornia Vote-by-Mail Application or apply at your county elections office.

Important Dates

June 5, 2012 – Primary Election
October 22, 2012 – Voter registration postmark date for November ballot
October 30, 2012 – Last day to apply for absentee ballot for November ballot
November 6, 2012 – General Election 

*For more information about voter registration, please contact Khae Saetern, Policy & Planning Project Coordinator at the Alameda Health Consortium at ksaetern@alamedahealthconsortium.org