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Get Ready For the Special Election

SALINAS, Calif. - Voters now have five weeks to get up to speed on the propositions for the May 19 statewide special election. To make sure you're ready, every Thursday, we'll go over a proposition and bring you the very latest election details.

First off, make sure you're registered to vote at your current address, especially if you've moved recently or you haven't voted in awhile. The deadline is May 4.

And for those voters who want to vote early, it begins Monday. That means the local elections offices will be mailing out ballots to voters who requested to vote by mail and who are in precincts that do not have polling places. Those voters should be receiving their ballots mid next week.

Also, Starting Monday, anyone can come into the elections offices to vote by paper ballot or touch screen. Voting early is good for those who don't want to wait in line or who may be heading out of town.

Now, last week, we talked about the first of six propositions on the ballot that deals with changing the state budget process. All the propositions are related to the budget.

Here's a quick overview of Proposition 1B. It would require supplemental payments to local school districts and community colleges to address the recent budget cuts. The budget crisis cut $12 billion from the state education system.

These payments would begin in 2011 to 2012 and would replace other payments that the state might otherwise be required to make. This proposition needs a majority approval to pass. Its fiscal impact could mean potential savings of up to several billion dollars for the state.

The official voter information guide has more details on this proposition and the others. If you haven't received your guide yet, the local elections offices has them, so you can pick one up or go here for the Secretary of State's web site:

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/statewide-special-election-051909/may-19-2009-statewide-special-election.htm

You can also stay tuned every Thursday for the latest election coverage.

On a related note, voters in the city of Gonzales will be receiving two ballots. One for the May 19 statewide special election and the other for a local special election on May 5 to fill a vacancy on the city council.

The county elections office reminds voters in Gonzales to make sure you submit the right ballot in the correct envelope.