The 2020 Fresno County Voter Guide
Everything you need to know about voting, candidates and propositions in Fresno County
We created Fiveby because we knew how impenetrable local news can be.
There’s a huge cast of characters, a dense vocabulary, constant negative turns in the plot, and almost never clear resolutions or easy answers. We started this newsletter so that we could cut through the fat and give you the most important stories in the most concise (and like, charming) manner. Now we’re taking on politics.
This voter guide is for you, beloved Fiveby Readers. We know there are names you’ve never heard of on these ballots. Issues you’ve never thought of. So, we’ll try to help. We’ll define the terms, introduce the cast, and make a solid recommendation for how you should vote. But don’t take these Fiveby endorsements as gospel. Just tea.
If you want to jump ahead, here is our Propositions Guide and our Fresno County Candidates Guide.
Haga clic aquí para ver la versión en español
💙 Love, Tommy.
How to Register to Vote
Oh snap, the most important part. You can register to vote at RegistertoVote.ca.gov. Registering to vote allows you to vote on election day, as well as receive your ballot by mail, which will be REALLY IMPORTANT THIS TIME, for obvious, coronavirus-shaped reasons. Sad.
There are two ways to register in California.
Online through https://registertovote.ca.gov/ or,
Through good old fashioned paper.
You can pick up a paper registration application at the Fresno Registrar of Voters, a library, at the DMV or at a U.S. post office. The application must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the Fresno Registrar of Voters at least 15 days before the election.
You can register if:
You are a citizen of the United States.
You are at least 18 years of age, or will be by election day on Nov. 3.
Not currently in state or federal prison.
Not currently found to be mentally incompetent by a court of law.
Definitely register again if you’ve recently changed addresses. Definitely check your registration before every election. Also, your party affiliation will affect which primaries you can vote in, which can mean the difference between a Bernie or a Biden.
If you need assistance with your ballot, call (559) 600-VOTE (8683) or visit a Vote Center. Vote Centers, opening Oct. 31 until Nov. 3, will offer accessibility tablets, replacement ballots, language assistance, registration assistance and in-person voting. The Election Office will be open starting Oct. 5 for in-person voting assistance. More info and resources right here.
Important Dates
Oct. 19: Last day to register to vote
Oct. 27: Last day to mail in your ballot and request an absentee ballot
Oct. 5 - Nov. 2: Early voting period
Nov. 3: Personally delivered ballots must be delivered by 8 p.m., when the polls close.
How to Vote
This election is a little funny, girls, because of our dear villain the coronavirus. In-person voting is tricky, but luckily we have a handy system of contactless voting in Fresno County.
After ballots are sent out on Oct. 5, you can drop them off any time before 8:00 p.m. on Nov. 3. Ballot drop boxes are open 24/7, feature no contact with another human, and even more of them have been installed since the March elections. This tool can help you locate a box near you.
You can also vote by mail. Mail your ballot by Oct. 27 and as long as the envelope is postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by your county elections office no later than Nov. 20, then you’re good.
In-person Vote Centers will be available starting Oct. 31 until Nov. 3.
Voters with disabilities can request a “remote access vote by mail.” These ballots can be printed and mailed in.
Fresno County Candidates & Propositions Guides
Below are the links to our California Propositions & Measures Guide and our Fresno County Candidates Guide.