It's time to vote in the June 2 primary—and you can still register to vote.

Election Day is still a month away, with primary elections on Tuesday, June 2, but early voting and vote-by-mail are kicking off on Monday, May 4. 

All registered voters in Monterey County will receive a ballot in the mail (it might have already landed in your mailbox—ballots were dropped at the U.S. Postal Service processing center in San Jose on Thursday, April 30). It can be returned—no postage required—by postal mail and will be counted as long as it is received by June 9.

Mail-in ballots can also be hand-delivered to one of 22 drop boxes, 19 of which are available 24/7. 

The County Elections Department provides an interactive map of drop box locations (viewable in static form below). 

Early voting begins on Monday, May 4 and continues weekdays from 8am-5pm through June 1 at the Monterey County Elections Office (1441 Schilling Place, Salinas). Additional early voting locations and dates are available in Seaside, Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield, King City, Carmel Valley, Prunedale, Big Sur and Pajaro throughout May. Check the full schedule online. 

In-person voting on Election Day takes place from 7am-8pm on Tuesday, June 2. You can look up your polling place online or call (831) 796-1499. 

Whether you vote early or on June 2, County elections officials encourage you to bring a copy of your mail-in ballot of easier processing, even if you wish to cast a ballot in person. 

It's also not too late to register to vote for the primary. The last day for registration is Monday, May 18, and conditional voter registration continues after that, up until the election. 

Voter turnout in Monterey County during the last midterm primary election, in June 2022, was 31 percent.