MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Elections Office and the Monterey County Free Libraries are joining efforts to offer Books and Ballots Week in South Monterey County.
The event offers early flex voting centers at various libraries throughout the week. Voters will be able to vote in-person, return their mail ballot, visit with the elections team and, of course, check out the latest offerings at their local library.
“Civic engagement and participation in our community is crucial to the mission of Monterey County Free Libraries, and supporting voting and voters is a big part of that,” said Hillary Theyer, director of the Monterey County Free Libraries. “We are proud to continue expansion of these services and our partnership with the Monterey County Elections Office.”
Books and Ballots Week kicked off Tuesday, Feb. 20, at the Gonzales Library. The event will continue Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Soledad Library, 401 Gabilan Drive.
Then, on Thursday, Feb. 22, the event takes place from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Greenfield Library, 315 El Camino Real, before ending on Friday, Feb. 23, from 12 to 5 p.m. at the King City Library, 402 Broadway St.
According to Gina Martinez, Registrar of Voters, “In 2022, we launched the flexible early vote center program, essentially bringing the Elections Office to communities across Monterey County at dates and times outside of normal operating hours.”
“We are fortunate to have partners in democracy, such as the Monterey County Free Libraries, to help us bring flexible voting opportunities to our communities while maintaining accessible polling places throughout the County,” Martinez added.
Additional dates and locations will be announced on Monterey County Elections social media pages and at montereycountyelections.us. The statewide Presidential Primary Election will be held on March 5, the last day to vote in person.
Early voting and registration services are available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Monterey County Elections Office, 1441 Schilling Place – North Building, in Salinas.
