How to vote on March 5 in the presidential primary election

March 5, 2024, is the presidential primary election for California, which the Monterey County Elections Office calls “one of the most complex elections.”

Voters in Monterey County will vote to narrow the field of presidential candidates for the general election, select the top two candidates for voter-nominated offices, and elect local office holders, according to the elections office website. 

March 5 is the last day to return ballots in person, it’s the last day for mail-in ballots to be postmarked, and the last day to vote in person. 

“I personally like to think of voting as a way to support my community and to exemplify that I care about my country and other people,” said Nicole Hollingsworth, CSUMB’s director of governmental and external relations. 

For those living in Monterey County who have yet to cast their votes, whether registered to vote or not, there are still options for doing so:  

• If you are registered to vote and have your ballot ready to go, you can drop it off at the permanent ballot box on campus (outside the Alumni and Visitors Center) or at one of the ballot boxes in Monterey County. If you have a ballot from a different California county, you can turn it in at any ballot box within the State of California. 
• If you are registered to vote in person, you can go to your designated polling location to cast your vote.
• If you are not registered to vote presently, you can still go to your designated polling location, register conditionally, and cast your provisional ballot.