On Friday, May 23, Secretary of State Debra Bowen reminded voters of the May 27 deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot.

County election officials are currently sending mail ballots to Californians who are permanent or one-time vote-by-mail voters. Mail balloting began May 5, and the last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is May 27, one week before the election.

Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned any time before Election Day. Ballots must be received, not postmarked, by 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted. On Election Day, voters may drop off their ballots at their county elections office or at any polling place in the county in which they are registered to vote.

“If you haven’t mailed in your ballot by Friday or Saturday, I strongly recommend dropping it off on Election Day,” Bowen said. “If you’ve taken the time to vote, make sure it counts.”

More information on voting by mail is at the Web site http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_m.htm.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.