Citizens can still register to vote in the primary election
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

The 2008 California presidential primary is less than a month away, but there's still time to register to vote. The registration deadline is Tues., Jan. 22.

Voter registration forms are available at all city halls, fire stations, public libraries, post offices and Chambers of Commerce.

To be eligible to vote, a person must be at least 18 years of age, and a Ventura County resident and cannot be a convicted felon.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tues., Feb. 5, but many Ventura County residents will get a jump on voting since the absentee voting period began Jan. 7.

The upcoming primary election will help narrow the field of candidates for the general election in November. The ballot also features seven statewide propositions but no local measures.

Those who are registered with a political party will receive their party's ballot. Those who aren't registered with a political party may vote in the Democratic or American Independent Party's primary, but only registered Republicans can vote in that party's primary. There's no limit to how many times someone can change party affiliation, according to Virginia Bloom, deputy county clerk for Ventura County Registrar of Voters.

Of more than 520,000 eligible voters, 378,501 are registered in the county, almost evenly split between Republicans (147,431) and Democrats (145,115). As of the Jan. 1 updated registration count, 68,540 voters declined to state a party affiliation in Ventura County.

In Thousand Oaks, 31,991 voters are registered Republicans and 22,141 registered Democrats. In Simi Valley 28,659 are registered Republicans and 18,495 registered Democrats. Camarillo has 16,910 registered Republicans and 11,999 Democrats, and in Moorpark 7,315 voters are registered Republicans and 5,479 registered Democrats.

All Ventura County registered voters should have received a sample ballot in the mail, detailing their poll location. If someone still isn't sure where to vote, the website recorder.countyof ventura.org/ elections.htm will guide voters, based on their address.

"(Polls) don't always stay the same," Bloom said, "although we try to keep regular polling places the same. It's very important to check sample ballots to make sure people know exactly where they're going."

The ballots of absentee voters must be postmarked at least seven days before the election. Registered voters can vote at the government center's Hall of Administration, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, anytime before the election.

All ballots must be marked in blue or black ink pens (not felt tip). Disabled voters or those who are hearing or visually impaired can use touch-screen machines available at each polling place.

Upon completion of the ballot, a voter inserts it into a scanner, which verifies that the ballot has been properly completed.

Given the unusually large field of candidates and the fact that neither a presidential nor a vice presidential incumbent is competing, this year's primary election is especially significant. And, given the fact that about one in eight Americans is now a Californian, the outcome of the state's primary will carry much weight.

"It is a privilege to have that option to have their say in the democratic process," Bloom said. "It's their voice to put a person who so represents them into power and create the environment in which we all choose to live together."

For more information about the election or on how to volunteer as a poll worker on primary election day, call (805) 654-2781.