Secretary of State Debra Bowen delivered this week’s Democratic radio address.  The text of her speech is as follows:

Hello, I’m Secretary of State Debra Bowen, California’s chief elections officer.

Tuesday is Election Day in California, our second of three statewide elections in 2008.  The polls open at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday and they close at 8:00 p.m.   I encourage everyone who is registered to get out and vote!

On Tuesday, we will pick the party nominees for Congress, state Senate, and state Assembly – and consider two ballot initiatives.  In some areas, the ballot will also include local contests for county supervisor, mayor, school board, and other offices.

The candidates we select will make crucial decisions that shape our lives.  They will determine the amount of money that goes to our neighborhood schools, to law enforcement – and even how we recycle and how often our trash is picked up. 

It’s critical that Californians of every background have a say in these choices.

Here are a few things to consider before you go to the polls:

First …            Read up before you vote.  You can get information about the candidates and the issues by reading my office’s nonpartisan Voter Information Guide at www.sos.ca.gov.  Also check out the sample ballot information sent by your county elections official.

Second …        Know your crossover voting rights. If you are registered as a “decline-to-state” or nonpartisan voter, in this election cycle the American Independent, Democratic, and Republican parties will let you participate in their primaries.  You have a right to request a ballot for any one of these three parties.  If you do not, you will receive a nonpartisan ballot that only contains ballot propositions and nonpartisan local races.

Third …           Know when and where to vote.  All California polling places will be open on Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

If you don’t know where your polling place is, you can look up that information at www.sos.ca.gov or you can call 1-800-345-VOTE or in Spanish 1-800-232-VOTA. Ballots may differ even within cities and counties, so it’s important for you to vote at your designated polling place so that you don’t miss out on any contests you’re entitled to vote on.

Every ballot – including vote-by-mail ballots – must be turned in by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.  Vote-by-mail ballots received after that will not be counted.

If you have a vote-by-mail ballot that you have not yet mailed, please don’t risk sending it this late.  Drop it off in person at any polling place or elections office in the county where you are registered to vote.  If you’ve taken the time to vote, please make sure it counts.

If you have any questions about your voting rights, on or before Election Day, please call my toll-free voter hotline at 1-800-345-VOTE.

I’m Secretary of State Debra Bowen.  Please join me in voting Tuesday.

Comments

[Joan Kaiser Bell]

Thanks Debra,
I believe our California vote counts in this election.
Joan

[Nancy]

I am a 61 year old female who has never voted anything but Democratic. I may be just one vote but if Obama is the Presidential nominee in 2008, I will not vote Democratic.

[Teri]

After the way this party has unfairly treated Hillary Clinton I wouldn't sign any petition or donate any money for any reason. The people didn't choose Obama the party did. You can't get any more un-democratic than that.

[C. Baker]

I will not vote for Obama if he does not choose Hillary for Vice-President. I will change parties.

[peter the bellhop]

PUMA