Grover Beach, CA – The 2020 General Election is shaping up to be a unique election given the public health guidance with COVID-19. To ensure safe voting during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state legislature passed a bill in June 2020 that requires each county to send vote-by-mail ballots to all registered voters to minimize in-person interactions at polling centers. This means that Grover Beach residents have several options for safely and securely casting their vote this election season.

San Luis Obispo County has sent out vote-by-mail ballots to all registered voters and Grover Beach residents should begin receiving their ballots in their mailboxes this week. Completed vote-by-mail ballots should be signed in the space provided and can be returned by mail or at a designated drop box.

If residents decide to mail their ballots, the ballots need to be postmarked by Election Day, November 3rd. Ballot return envelopes have pre-paid postage and will be treated as first class mail. Please note that Grover Beach residents may vote and return their ballots as soon as they are received -- there is no need to wait until Election Day. However, once a voted ballot is returned to the County Elections Office, it is considered “in the ballot box” and may not be retrieved or changed. The U.S. Postal Service encourages voters to mail their ballots at least seven days before Election Day. Grover Beach residents may sign up for California’s Where’s My Ballot tracking tool to keep track of their personal ballots.

In partnership with the County, Grover Beach will also have two official designated drop box locations. From now through November 3rd, there will be a ballot box drop-off location available from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday at Grover Beach City Hall (154 S. 8th St., Grover Beach, CA 93433) next to the police station. The ballot box is locked and secured with camera surveillance and brought inside City Hall every night. The ballot box will be emptied by a designated City staff member and the ballots delivered to the County Elections Office in San Luis Obispo.

The Grover Beach Community Center (1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach, CA 93433) will also be open as a local voter center from 7am to 8pm, beginning October 31st to November 3rd. Residents will be able to drop off their mail-in ballots or vote in person. In-person voting is being offered over a four-day period to help decrease crowds, avoid lines and maintain physical distancing requirements. While at the voting center, each person will be required to wear a face covering and is expected to follow general COVID-19 guidelines. While in-person voting is available, in light of the current public health situation voters are encouraged to instead utilize one of the previously discussed vote-by-mail options.

All Grover Beach residents are encouraged to vote this election season to ensure they have a voice in helping determine the direction of our city, state and nation’s future. More information about the City’s local election, including council candidates and Measure F-20, can be accessed by visiting the November 3, 2020 General Municipal Election webpage.