It’s Election Day and the polls have closed. Here’s what you need to know

It’s finally here — Election Day in San Joaquin County. 

Here is some key information about voting, how to know whether your ballot was counted and the security of your polling place.

When do the polls open? When do they close?

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. If you are in line to cast your ballot before the polls close, you can still vote; it’s your legal right.

Where do I find a polling place?

A complete list of voting locations can be found through your county’s Registrar of Voters. To check the one closest to you, visit the Secretary of State’s website.

Can I still vote by mail instead of in person?

Mail-in ballots may still be used, but they must carry a postmark no later than Nov. 5, 2024.

Can I drop off my ballot?

Drop boxes are open until 8 p.m. In Stockton, there’s a drive-through option at the Registrar of Voters office at 44 N. San Joaquin St. on Election Day.

I am not registered to vote. Is it too late?

You can register conditionally and vote in San Joaquin County at the Registrar of Voters’ Office. But you must meet the qualifications of a voter: be a U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old and has not been found mentally incompetent by a court.

Can I vote if I register conditionally?

Yes — but you will be given a “provisional ballot,” the provision being that your registration must be confirmed before your vote is counted.

How do I know if my vote was counted?

You can check at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov.

How do I know the county’s vote count will be accurate?

“We secure our voting systems like democracy depends on it — because it does,” elections officials at the registrar of voters office said. “Voting is safe and secure in San Joaquin County,” which uses the Hart Verity Voting System.

Elections officials noted that San Joaquin County’s electronic voting machines and scanners are not connected to the internet and strict chain-of-custody procedures are followed.

Furthermore, the Justice Department will be monitoring voting in San Joaquin County.

While San Joaquin is the only county in California to receive federal monitoring on Election Day, it is one of 86 counties nationwide that will be observed by Justice department officials.

Registrar of Voters Olivia Hale said the poll monitors shouldn’t be any cause for alarm, though. They want to make sure the county is following language requirements outlined in Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act.

“We were just the lucky draw for the routine visits they do,” Hale said. “They haven’t been here in 20 years, so its normal for them to send people out and that’s all it is.

Mainly what they are looking at is that we do all of our 203 language requirements, which in San Joaquin County is the Spanish,” Hale added.

Voting officials are so confident of their security measures, they welcome anyone to be an observer.

How do I become an observer?

At the polls or at tabulation locations, people are invited to observe — but there are rules. To name a few, observers have to behave in a professional manner, not communicate with any voter within 100 feet of a polling place about voter status or anything on the ballot, touch any balloting materials or interfere in any way.

To witness the votes being counted, the registrar’s office says you can go to its warehouse at 7585 S. Longe St. in Stockton.

What if I see something suspicious?

Call the California Secretary of State’s voter hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683).

Stocktonia staff writer Edward Lopez contributed to this report.