Modern house illustration emphasizing the choice to vote in person or by mail for the 2026 Primary Election.
When it comes to voting in California, you have options.
By law, every active registered voter will receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot for the 2026 Primary Election. Mail it back, put it in an official ballot drop box, or surrender it at the polls on Election Day and vote there. It's up to YOU.
If you like these photos, we also have a brief (1 min, 15 sec) video tour of the warehouse that we created last year: youtu.be/jysNAbB-Tz4?...
Our warehouse manager and his temps are well underway with preparations for the 50+ different Election Day polling locations. With fewer than 45 days until June 2, they're moving in high gear. Here's a peek behind the scenes!
Woman in a pink jacket sorting through stacks of pink paper in a warehouse with shelves of boxes behind her.
Two people engaged in a radio broadcast inside a colorful studio with soundproof panels and microphones.
The people who make up SLO County Elections are working diligently to prepare for the June 2 primary. From the warehouse to the home office, from our amazing temps to the six dedicated permanent staff -- we're getting everything in place and striving to make sure every voter is informed and ready.
Also, as your comment illustrates, things posted on social media aren't guaranteed to be facts, which was the point of our original post. Thanks for engaging.
separately in an effort to be helpful -- needed to be updated as well. When we realized that yesterday, I updated it immediately.
You can label this incompetence if you want, but it was a human error, and again, it happened *because* I was trying to make things as accessible as possible.
Hi Kate. I'm Erin, and I'm responsible for updating the website. We were first alerted to the discrepancy on 4/8/26. I made the edit to the candidate filing guidelines that day. What I didn't realize at the time was that the extract that listed open offices -- that I'd pulled out and linked (cont'd)
An illustration of a laptop computer promoting accurate 2026 primary election info from SLO County Elections Office with office hours and website details. Open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Find out more at SloVote.gov/June2026
It's no secret that misinformation is everywhere. That's why it's important to make sure you're getting your election information from official sources.
And remember: All SLO County Elections processes are open to the public. Come in and observe if you're able. We're happy to answer any question.
List of candidates for California governor and lieutenant governor with their party affiliations, shown on a voter update page from the Statewide Voter Information Guide.
In the last few days, we've noticed some confusion regarding the layout of candidate names (specifically, for Governor) in the Statewide Voter Information Guide.
As you can see in the graphic here, there are *four* columns of candidate info: name | party | name | party. Be sure to look at all four.
2026 California primary election ballot security includes the use of a unique barcode and signature verification for every voter.
California takes the security of your vote seriously. All Vote-by-Mail ballot return envelopes come with a unique barcode tied to that specific voter, and each voter's signature is verified before the ballot is processed.
Once a mail ballot is verified and accepted, the voter's record is credited.
Red alarm clock showing 24 days left until early voting starts for the 2026 primary election with a prompt to track ballots online at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov
We are 24 days away from the beginning of early voting!
We'll begin to mail ballots to voters no later than May 4th.
Voters can vote their ballot once they receive it and return it by mail, at a secure drop box location, or vote in person at their county elections office.
Graphic explaining the importance of primary elections, highlighting voter influence on general election candidates, party direction, local races, turnout impact, and early engagement.
Primary elections typically have a lower turnout than general elections -- but that doesn't mean YOU should sit this one out!
Here are six reasons to vote in the June 2, 2026, Statewide Direct Primary Election.
Title says: Understanding the Petition Process. Photo shows a checklist form for a petition requiring community health clinics to spend 90% of revenue, with signature counts and circulation dates from 2025 to 2026.
Text: Signing a petition is your choice. You have the right to review before signing. Read what the petition is about and ask questions if anything is unclear. What’s required: your printed name, your residence address (where you are registered to vote), and your signature. What is NOT required: a phone number, email address, or any additional personal information beyond what’s listed above. Be cautious of misleading statements. If something doesn’t sound right, you can decline to sign.
Text: What happens after you sign? County Elections Office reviews petition submissions for completeness, verifies that signatures match those of registered voters, and counts valid signatures to determine if thresholds are met. The Secretary of State confirms signature totals reported by counties and certifies whether the measure qualifies for the ballot. Bottom line: Measures and propositions only qualify after a thorough verification process—not simply because someone collects signatures.
If you've been out and about lately, you've probably seen a petition circulating. You might have signed one (or more). But if you've felt confused or unsure -- you're not alone.
We break it down here so you know what information is required and what isn't, and what happens after you sign.
In recent days, our office has received a number of questions from concerned voters regarding a *supposed* Sheriff’s Office investigation, and Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano wanted to take a few minutes to lay out the facts.
Misinformation is a part of life these days, but we’ll always share facts.
Four stickers laid out side by side. Two say "I Voted," one says "Yo vote," and one says "Future Voter"
We have our winners! Thanks to all the students who submitted such great entries, and to the mayors who voted and picked the 2026 winners!
Congratulations to Brynn, Annie, Aurelia & Sara!! We can’t wait to share your stickers with SLO County voters. 🗳️
Text says: Are you considering running for a school board, community services district, or special district contest on the November 2026 ballot? Candidate Workshop on Monday, April 13, 5:00 pm. For more info, visit www.slocoe.org
The County Office of Education is hosting a Candidate Workshop for anyone interested in running for a local school board position in November 2026. It's also open to candidates considering running in a community services district or special district contest.
For more info, head to www.slocoe.org.
Timeline of key dates for the June 2nd primary election including voter data, ballot mailing, and registration deadlines. April 3: Voter data sent printer By April 18: Ballots mailed to military and overseas voters By May 4: Ballots mailed to all voters May 18: Regular registration deadline May 19: Conditional (late) registration begins
Did you know that voters' address info is sent to the printer 60 days before an election? It's true -- and it means that we're sending off mailing info for the June election in just over a week.
Help streamline the process, save taxpayer money, and ensure that you are only mailed one ballot.
We've got 25 of the most-asked voter questions in a handy FAQ section of SloVote.gov/June2026.
Share it with your friends. Share it with your family. And if you've got other questions we can answer, let us know. Our inbox is always open: elections@co.slo.ca.us.
Screen shot of an online article under a blue banner that says "Voter Update" and displays the Clerk-Recorder seal. The article headline is "What does the proposed SAVE Act mean, exactly, for SLO County Voters?"
We love answering community questions. Sometimes they warrant an entire piece on the News & Announcements section of our website: www.slocounty.ca.gov/departments/...
A good resource from the CA Secretary of State that outlines the current ID requirements for California voters: elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/pdfs/trusted...
Know the facts.
Are you registered to vote, SLO County? Ballots go out for the June 2, 2026, Statewide Direct Primary Election in less than 2 months. Visit RegisterToVote.ca.gov to register or update your reg today.
(No stickers were actually left in place during the making of this video. Scotch tape only, folks.)
The Randomized Alphabet for the June 2, 2026, Statewide Direct Primary Election has been set! A group of community volunteers and Elections staff pulled Scrabble tiles to determine the order in which names will be placed on the primary ballot.
A video is circulating on social media that shows people in SF being offered money to sign ballot petitions using names & addresses taken from voter registration lists. SLO County Elections is working with the CA Sec of State to investigate and will share info as available. Statement: SloVote.gov
And here's the adorable Part 4: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWzq...
Part Three features our own clerk-recorder staff performing a special ceremony: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwAL...
Announcement for Random Alphabet Drawing event on March 12 at 11 am to determine state candidates' ballot order in San Luis Obispo County.
On Thurs, 3/12 at 11 am, the SLO Elections Office will hold a random alphabet drawing -- & you can play a part.
We randomly pull Scrabble tiles (yes, actual tiles!) to determine the order in which statewide candidates will appear on SLO County ballots during the June 2 primary. Join & help us out!
Countdown to March 10 deadline for the 2026 'I Voted' sticker design contest for SLO County students in grades 3-12.
The countdown is on! There are 5 days left for local students to enter the "I Voted" sticker design contest. (And we're accepting "Future Voter" designs, too!) Original physical & digital art submissions from students in grades 3-12 are welcomed.
Head to SloVote.gov for the entry form and details.
Reminder that the candidate filing period ends in one week, except for offices where the incumbent does not file, extending to March 11.
The candidate filing period wraps up next Friday, March 6 for most offices. Only those for which the incumbent does NOT file will extend to March 11.
Questions? Reach out to us at (805) 781-5228 or elections@co.slo.ca.us. Have a great weekend!
Residency Confirmation Postcards are dropping in the mail next week!
If you're registered to vote, keep an eye on your mailbox. The postcard gives you an opportunity to make us aware of any change to your residence address OR your mailing address before June 2nd primary election materials go out.
