My experience voting early in person in CA the Sunday before Election Day

Went to local elementary school auditorium with free street parking. No line. Nobody outside except volunteers guiding towards auditorium entrance. Everyone was very polite and professional.

Upon entering I was asked if I brought in a pre-filled mail in ballot for drop off? No. I was then guided to one of five people waiting to process me. All five were available. I went to the first one who wore a sticker that said “English/Russian.” The other four had similar stickers that said “English/Chinese” or “English/Spanish.”

I had with me my sample ballot that was mailed to my home address. The sample ballot is different from the official mail-in ballot, but it does have my full name and home address printed on it with a bar code I assume is unique to me. An official mail-in ballot was mailed to my home as well which I did not request and did not bring with me to the polls. When I walked up to the person, she reached her hand out and scanned the bar code.

“Hello Will. Were you born in the year XXXX?” Yes. Then she turned around her computer screen. “Can you please confirm this is your home address?” Yes. “Can you please sign your signature here. After you sign, I will cancel as invalid the official mail-in ballot that was mailed to you.” Ok. I signed. She did not ask for any ID. “Please proceed to one of the polling stations.” She handed back to me my sample ballot as well as a blank ballot card that was made of stiff card stock and was very large like legal size paper 11”x14”. It looked like it had an identifying bar code in the top left corner.

At the poll station, there was a computer touch screen with a scanner next to it. It had instructions to load my blank ballot card into the scanner, which I did. Then I followed the prompts on the screen to enter my selections to 35 different city, county, state measures, judges, council members, local and state representatives, and of course the president. Former President Trump was available to select on the first screen. To choose Vice President Harris or RFK Jr you had to select an arrow on the bottom that said “More” but it was very clear. Then you click to confirm selections on the screen. Then “print ballot.”

Then the scanner device on the right actually prints out your ballot card in black ink with all your selections. The screen then asks you to confirm your vote selections that were printed on the actual physical ballot card. After reviewing your physical card, you click confirm on the screen and then the machine is ready to scan in your ballot card one more time. After it absorbs your printed ballot card with your selections, the screen asks one final time if you’re ready to “Yes - Cast my ballot” with a clear button in the center or “No - Read back my ballot.” After hitting “Cast” you get a very satisfying confirmation screen.

Looking at the back of the scanner machine, it looks like the ballot cards go into a secure style anti-tampering lock box.

Once I was done pretty much every volunteer was so excited to make sure I got an “I Voted” sticker, which I proudly wore!

Overall, I’m satisfied that my vote will be counted. But I would’ve felt better if I was asked for my ID, or if I was supposed to provide my birth year, or if I was supposed to provide my address. I’m grateful there were no issues like I had voted already. I don’t know how the process would’ve been different if I didn’t bring my sample ballot which had a bar code on the back to scan. I’m grateful for the option to vote early to better fit my busy schedule and exercise my right to vote.

Hope sharing my experience was helpful. Go out and vote!