Voting in California could not be easier this year: mail-in ballots for everyone, and, in Yolo County, 12 Voter Assistance Centers, including one right here on the Davis campus.

The voting center will be in Ballrooms A and B at the Activities and Recreation Center, or ARC. Enter through the two sets of double doors toward the right side of the front of the building as you are facing it from Parking Lot 25.

The county Elections Office is operating all of the Voter Assistance Centers. They will be open for four days, from this Saturday, Oct. 31, through Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, one week from today. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Election Day.

Think of each center as a one-stop, full-service shop where you can:

• Drop off your completed ballot.
• Bring your ballot and vote in person.
• Get a replacement ballot.
• Solve registration issues.
• Register to vote (same-day conditional registration).
• Receive general assistance.

The deadline for submitting your ballot is the typical poll closing time: 8 p.m. Election Day.

Yolo County voters can visit any of the county’s 12 Voter Assistance Centers. The county also has set up 12 ballot drop boxes — available now through 8 p.m. Election Day. See the locations of all Voting Assistance Centers and ballot drop boxes.

Are you a Sacramento County voter? Links are provided here for Vote Center locations (some are already open and others will open Oct. 31) and ballot drop box locations.

Free public transit

Unitrans, the ASUCD-city of Davis bus system, will continue its tradition of free rides on Election Day. “Our goal is to eliminate a possible barrier to voting and encourage everyone in our community to get out and vote,” said jeff Flynn, Unitrans general manager.

Yolobus, Sacramento Regional Transit and the Causeway Connection announced that they will also waive fares Nov. 3.

Unitrans buses will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Election Day: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. See routes and schedules here.

Flynn reminded of pandemic precautions: All passengers must wear face coverings (drivers wear face coverings, too); all windows are open and ventilation systems are on to maximize air flow; passenger count is limited to 15 on each bus; and passengers are encouraged to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer after riding.

Free parking

At all times when the Voter Assistance Center at the ARC is open, voters can park for free in any unrestricted permit space in Lot 25 in front of the ARC, 30 minutes maximum.

Drive-through option

Or, forget about parking: On Election Day, the League of Women Voters, in collaboration with the Yolo County Elections Office, will collect your ballots as you drive through Parking Lot 25 in front of the ARC.

Mail-in voting

Of course, you can also return your ballot by mail — no postage required. Your ballot must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3 and received by the Yolo County Elections Office no later than Nov. 20. Make sure you check your local post office hours of operation on Election Day.

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