As the November election approaches, the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters held a media day on the 16th to announce a series of measures aimed at ensuring election safety, promoting voter participation, and maintaining the fairness of the electoral process.

In an interview, Assistant Sheriff Ricardo Urena emphasized that it is the law enforcement agency’s primary responsibility to ensure that voters can exercise their rights in an environment free from threats and disturbances. He stated that officers will be on patrol around the clock to ensure public safety, especially during peak voting times. Urena made it clear that any attempts to disrupt the election will be met with severe penalties. He also encouraged community members to stay vigilant and promptly report any suspicious behavior to the authorities.

Matt Moreles, the Interim Registrar of Voters, shared that over one million voters have registered to participate in this election, marking the highest number of registered voters in the county’s history. He anticipates that voter turnout will be around 80% to 85%.

Moreles outlined the various voting methods available to voters. They can opt to vote by mail, visit polling centers in person, or use one of the multiple ballot drop boxes set up throughout Santa Clara County. Mail-in ballots were distributed to all active voters last week, allowing them to simply return their completed ballots via the prepaid return envelope. Additionally, the county has over 100 official ballot drop boxes that are open 24/7 for voters to submit their ballots at their convenience.

He also stressed the importance of cybersecurity. All election technology equipment has undergone national certification and rigorous testing to ensure it operates smoothly and accurately. The entire ballot counting system is isolated from external networks to safeguard data security. Furthermore, every step of the voting process is open to the public, allowing voters to witness ballot counting and signature verification firsthand, thereby enhancing the transparency of the election.

Moreles reminded voters of some key dates. October 21 is the final deadline for voter registration. Those who have not yet registered must do so by this date to receive a mail-in ballot. However, he noted that even if voters miss this deadline, they can still register conditionally and submit a provisional ballot. On Election Day, November 5, all polling centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., giving voters ample opportunity to vote at a time and location that suits them best.