Still need to register to vote?

While the deadline to register online has passed, Sacramento voters have until Election Day on Nov. 5 to register in person.

First-time voters can register in person at a Sacramento County Vote Center.

Registration requires first-time voters to have their driver’s license, California identification card or provide the last four digits of their social security number.

Registering to vote this close to the election is also known as conditional voter registration. Once a voter’s eligibility to vote is verified at a Vote Center, they can complete their ballot at the same time they register or take the ballot home to complete it and return it by Election Day on Nov. 5.

Voters can prepare by doing research on the ballot propositions and candidates.

“The website CalMatters does a pretty good job of keeping us informed about California,” said Elizabeth Huffman, a Cosumnes River College political science professor.

California has three methods of voting: early voting, in-person voting and vote-by-mail.

Early voting gives the option to cast ballots before the Election Day while vote-by-mail gives voters a mail-in ballot so they can fill out their ballots at home.

Once the ballot is returned by mail or to a drop box at a local poll booth, voters can track their mail-in ballot online.

Early in-person voting at certain vote centers began on Oct. 26, while others are open from Nov. 2. to Nov. 5. All voting centers are open on Election Day from 7 a.m to 8 p.m.

Voters can find their local voting location or drop box here.

“I love the fact that California does mail-in ballots automatically, and I think it’s good for people to take advantage of that,” Huffman said. “California has so many propositions, it could be hard to remember and the ability to fill it out in your own home on your own time makes it easier.”

Students have various opinions on voting for the presidential elections.

“A lot of my students don’t feel very connected with the political process and don’t feel that there is much responsiveness,” Huffman said.

Mariam Zarka, an 18-year-old psychology major, said she is a little stressed and anxious about the elections and isn’t sure if she is going to vote because of the candidates.

“Maybe I’m still kind of iffy about voting,” Zarka said.

Saroun Tem, a 30-year-old general science major, said she started to vote as soon as she turned 18 years old because of the history of women’s suffrage and how things are being run.

“It’s a democracy, we all have a voice, and I want to put in my part in choosing who we have as our next president,” said Alina Oleshko, an 18-year-old nursing major.

“We have the power to vote, so we should use it,” said Tem.