Vote In Person In Benicia, Solano County: Vote Centers Now Open

BENICIA, CA — Voting in the November Presidential Election may look a little different this year, with many ballots already cast by mail. But you can still cast or hand off your ballot in person this year — and you can do it early or on Election Day.

Dubbed “vote centers” rather than “polling places,” physical voting locations will also be a bit different than in years past.

The amount of in-person polling places in California will be limited compared to previous elections, in accordance with a law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in August, but some vote centers already opened up as early as Oct. 24.

Centers will be open Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Although every registered and active voter in California was already mailed a ballot in October, polling places will still be open for same day voter registration, for those who need assistance with language or disabilities — or for those who simply want to witness the historic election day unfold.

According to the Solano County Registrar of Voters, there were 259,734 mail ballots issued. As of Thursday, nearly half — 46.2 percent— of those ballots had already been returned.

By Friday, 11,544 Benicia voters had already returned their ballots.

Benicia residents wishing to vote early or on Election Day can do so at the Solano County Registrar of Voters, 675 Texas St., Suite 2600 in Fairfield. The registrar's office also serves as a ballot drop-off location and is offering same day voter registration.

There are two ballot drop-off sites in Benicia:

Benicia City Clerk, 250 East L St, Benicia, CA 94510

• Ballot Drop-Off Location
• Hours: Daily through Election Day: 9am - 4pm

The Gateway Church, 1315 Military West, Benicia,CA 94510

• Same Day Voter Registration
• Ballot Drop-Off Location
• Hours: Nov 2: 8am - 5pm; Election Day: 7am - 8pm

To find more voting locations in Solano County, click here.

All of these changes to voting in California this year are to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Vote center volunteers and employees are required to space voting booths apart, sanitize surfaces and encourage those waiting in line to socially distance.

Voters are encouraged to arrive with a face covering, but those who show up without will be provided one.

Some of the first vote centers opened in California Oct. 21; in Los Angeles, hundreds lined up outside the Staples Center waiting to vote in person.

In California, more than 21 million ballots were mailed to voters, and more than 10 million ballots have already been cast in the state in this historic election.

ALSO SEE:

• Maskless Voters Will Not Be Turned Away On Election Day
• CA Elections 2020