The General Election Ballots in Madera County Are Being Mailed Out October 8th

MADERA - The ballots for the 2018 general election on November 6th are being mailed out to registered voters on Monday October 8^th.Voters will have nearly a month to vote then mail or drop the ballots off at several locations throughout the county.

Unlike in years past when voters were assigned neighborhood precincts where they would cast their votes, before last June’s primary election every registered voter in Madera County was mailed a ballot that voters can mail back, drop off or vote at several locations through-out the county on accessible devices. For the general election, the Madera County Elections Department is paying for the return postage for the ballots. So now there is no excuse the not vote this November.

Instead of being able to vote on only one day, this year voters are able to vote live for eleven days at the location of their choice. The ballots for the November General Election will be mailed out 29 days prior to the election just like absentee ballots were in the past. Just like the absentee ballots, one option is to mail the ballot back by Election Day. As long as the ballot is post marked by November 6, 2018, the vote will be counted. If it is post marked after Election Day, it will not be.

Special lock-boxes have been installed at four locations through-out the county that began accepting ballots on October 8th until 8pm on November 6^th, Election Day. The Madera County Government Center in Madera and Chowchilla City Hall in Chowchilla will have drive up locations for voters to drop off ballots. In Oakhurst at the Grocery Outlet and in the Ranchos at the Ranchos State Foods Supermarket ballots will be accepted in lock-boxes inside the stores.

The reason for the locations being inside the stores in Oakhurst and the Ranchos is so these boxes will be monitored by security cameras 24 hours a day. The outside locations in Madera and Chowchilla are also monitored by security cameras.

Starting Saturday before November 6^th, six more locations will open for ballot drop off. They are listed below. For more information please log on to www.VoteMadera.com.

Ballot Dropbox Locations/Hours

1. Madera County Government Center (Exterior) 200 W. 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Days/Hours of Operation: 05/08/2018 – 06/05/2018 24 hours per day*
2. Oakhurst Grocery Outlet 40301 Junction Drive Oakhurst, CA 93644 Days/Hours of Operation: 05/08/2018 – 06/05/2018 7:00am – 9:00pm*
3. City of Chowchilla Civic Center (Exterior) 130 S. 2nd Street Chowchilla, CA 93610 Days/Hours of Operation: 05/08/2018 – 06/05/2018 24 hours per day*
4. State Foods Market – Madera Ranchos 37405 Avenue 12 #401 Madera, CA 93636 Days/Hours of Operation: 05/08/2018 – 06/05/2018 7:00am – 9:00pm*

Vote Center Locations and Hours

1. Madera County Government Center - Lobby 200 W. 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Days/Hours of Operation: 05/26/2018 – 06/04/2018 8:00am – 5:00pm 06/05/2018 (Election Day) 7:00am – 8:00pm
2. State Center Community College – Oakhurst Center - Room OC11* 40241 State Highway 41 Oakhurst, CA 93644 Days/Hours of Operation: 05/26/2018 – 06/04/2018 8:00am – 5:00pm 06/05/2018 (Election Day) 7:00am – 8:00pm
3. City of Chowchilla Civic Center – Council Chambers 130 S. 2nd Street Chowchilla, CA 93610 Days/Hours of Operation: 06/02/2018 – 06/04/2018 8:00am – 5:00pm 06/05/2018 (Election Day) 7:00am – 8:00pm
4. Liberty High School - Theatre (Madera Ranchos) 12220 Road 36 Madera, CA 93636 Days/Hours of Operation: 06/02/2018 – 06/04/2018 8:00am – 5:00pm 06/05/2018 (Election Day) 7:00am – 8:00pm
5. Oak Creek Senior Living Community - Clubhouse 46041 Road 415 Coarsegold, CA 93614 Days/Hours of Operation: 06/02/2018 – 06/04/2018 8:00am – 5:00pm 06/05/2018 (Election Day) 7:00am – 8:00pm
6. John Wells Youth Center 701 E. 5th Street Madera, CA 93638 Days/Hours of Operation: 06/02/2018 – 06/04/2018 8:00am – 5:00pm 06/05/2018 (Election Day) 7:00am – 8:00pm