SALINAS VALLEY — Ballot boxes have now been installed at the city halls in Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City for voters to turn in their ballots directly to a collection site rather than going into the mail system.
Voters need to bring their completed ballots sealed in their envelope in order to maintain ballot security. Staff with the Monterey County Elections Department will pick up ballots regularly every week.
Gonzales and Greenfield both have ballot boxes outside their city hall buildings to increase accessibility. With a box outside, voters are able to get to the boxes to drop off their sealed ballot envelopes 24 hours per day.
Greenfield City Manager Paul Wood said Greenfield considered an indoor ballot box for security reasons.
“The biggest problem with that is it would not be accessible 24 hours a day, only during business hours,” Wood said.
Soledad and King City have placed their boxes inside their city halls to increase security. Residents planning to drop off their ballots at those locations must do so during regular business hours. At Soledad, asking to enter the city hall lobby via the two-way radio system is required.
The last day to return ballots in person is Tuesday, Nov. 3, the day of the presidential election. If returning by mail, ballots must be postmarked no later than this date, as well.
24-Hour Drop Boxes
- Gonzales Library
851 Fifth St., Gonzales - Greenfield City Hall
599 El Camino Real, Greenfield - King City Library
404 Broadway St., King City - Soledad Library
401 Gabilan Dr., Soledad
Business-Hour Drop Boxes
- Gonzales City Hall
147 4th St., Gonzales - King City City Hall
212 S. Vanderhurst Ave., King City - Soledad City Hall
248 Main St., Soledad
