January 11, 2012 - Ballots on the way for all-mail election

Paper: Modesto Bee
Title: Ballots on the way for all-mail election
Date: January 11, 2012
By: Bee Staff Reports

Ballots for Modesto's mayoral runoff are going out to voters this week.

The Stanislaus County elections office mailed the ballots Wednesday to the 95,007 registered voters in Modesto.

Former Councilmen Garrad Marsh and Brad Hawn are vying for the city's top elective position. Two-term Mayor Jim Ridenour will stay in office until the all-mail election is completed next month.

Lee Lundrigan, county registrar of voters, said people need to place their marked ballots in the pink envelope found in the packet. Voters need to sign the envelopes before placing them in the mail.

"Don't sign the ballot," Lundrigan stressed. "If they sign a ballot, it's no longer a secret ballot, and I can't count it."

The elections office will count only those ballots received by 8 p.m. Feb. 7. For those who wait too long to mail ballots, six receiving sites and the elections office at 1021 I St. will be open Feb. 7.

There's still time to register to vote and participate in the election. Voter registrations will be accepted through Jan. 23.

Unofficial results of the runoff election will be available after 8 p.m. Feb. 7 at www.modbee.com or www.stanvote.com.