Riverside County Mails Out 1.4 Million Ballots Ahead of June Primary

California's Statewide Direct Primary is June 2nd, and Riverside County voters may already have their ballots in hand. The Registrar of Voters Office has mailed 1.4 million vote-by-mail ballots to the U.S. Postal Service, kicking off the final stretch before Election Day.

Returning a ballot is straightforward. Voters can mail it back at no cost, no postage required, drop it in an official secure ballot box, or bring it to any Riverside County vote center before polls close at 8 p.m. on June 2nd. Drop box locations and hours can be found at voteinfo.net.

To be counted, mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days after, by June 9th. Ballots returned in person must arrive by 8 p.m. on June 2nd.

The deadline to register is Monday, May 18th, though voters who miss it can still register and vote in person at a vote center through Election Day. 

For anyone curious about what happens to their ballot once it's submitted, the Registrar's office is now offering Election Observer Tours through Election Day. Tours run every Tuesday from 4 to 5 p.m. and every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon, giving the public a firsthand look at how ballots are processed and how accuracy is maintained.

Tours are limited to 20 people. Reservations are encouraged but not required, and spots can be reserved by calling 951-486-7200. A live stream of election processes is also available at voteinfo.net under the election page's "Official Live Streaming" button.