Women in Leadership for Diverse Representation
Mujeres en Liderazgo para la Representación Diversa
WILDR Newsletter:
Voter Information
Fall 2026
Dear Wildr Women,
With the upcoming election approaching, WILDR wants to make sure the women in our community have clear, reliable, and accessible information to confidently participate in the voting process.
We created this voter information newsletter as a simple resource for Santa Cruz County voters. Inside, you’ll find important election dates, your 2026 voter registration checklist, vote-by-mail guidance, ballot tracking resources, and information about where and how to vote.
Our goal is to help you stay informed, prepared, and connected to trusted election resources. Your voice matters, and knowing how to make it heard is an important part of civic participation!
Sincerely,
WILDR Organizing team
Important Voter Dates:
SEPTEMBER 24 – OCTOBER 13
📖 Voter Guides Arrive
State and county voter information guides are mailed during this period.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 | 6 PM
Voter Education Forum - Hosted by Pajaro Valley Collaborative (PVC)
📍 Wastonville Community Room 275 Main St., 4th floor
Join us for an informative, nonpartisan community forum where we will walk through the upcoming ballot together. Forum will be held in both English and Spanish.
OCTOBER 3, 2026 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
What’s on the State Ballot? Learn Before You Vote - Hosted by Democratic Women’s Club (DWC)
📍 Colligan Theatre at Tannery Arts Center
Please join us for a non-partisan information session with Senator John Laird who will review the State measures on our November ballot.
This session covers:
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History and background of State measures
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Support and opposition
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How each measure might affect California communities
OCTOBER 3, 2026 | 1:00–3:00 PM
November Propositions: Pros & Cons - Hosted by League of Women Voters
📍 Aptos Branch Public Library
Learn about the 14 statewide propositions appearing on the November ballot through a nonpartisan review designed to help voters understand the issues before casting their ballots.
Click here to learn more : https://my.lwv.org
OCTOBER 5
📬 Vote-by-Mail Ballots Begin
Santa Cruz County begins mailing ballots to registered voters. Some Santa Cruz County Vote Centers also open on this date.
OCTOBER 5–6
📥 Ballot Drop Boxes Open
Santa Cruz County lists its official drop boxes as opening October 5; statewide, counties must have required drop-off locations open by October 6.
OCOTBER 10, 2026 | 2:00–4:00 PM
November Propositions: Pros & Cons - Hosted by League of Women Voters
📍 Highland Park Senior Center, 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond
A free public event featuring a panel from the League of Women Voters of Santa Cruz County explaining the pros and cons of the 14 statewide propositions.
Click here to learn more : https://my.lwv.org
OCTOBER 19
⚠️ Voter Registration Deadline
Last day to register or update your voter registration through the regular registration process.
OCTOBER 20 – NOVEMBER 3
📝 Same Day Registration Available
Missed the deadline? You can still conditionally register and vote through Election Day.
OCTOBER 24
🗳️ More Santa Cruz County Vote Centers Open
Additional early in-person voting locations begin opening throughout the county.
OCTOBER 27
📨 Recommended Replacement Ballot Deadline
If your ballot was lost, damaged, or never arrived, this is the recommended date to request a replacement.
OCTOBER 31
🗳️ More Santa Cruz County Vote Centers Open
Thirteen additional early in-person voting locations begin opening throughout the county.
NOVEMBER 3 — ELECTION DAY ⭐
Polls and Vote Centers are open 7:00 AM–8:00 PM. Ballots returned in person or to a drop box must be submitted by 8:00 PM. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by this date.
NOVEMBER 10
📬 Mail Ballot Receipt Deadline
Vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day must arrive at the county elections office by this date to be counted.
NOVEMBER 25
✍️ Signature Correction Deadline — 5:00 PM
Last day to correct unsigned signature ballot envelope.
✓ YOUR 2026 VOTER CHECKLIST
☐ Check your voter registration
Make sure you're registered and confirm that your name, residential address, mailing address, party preference, and language preference are correct. California's My Voter Status tool also lets you view election and ballot information.
Click here to: Check My Voter Registration
☐ Register or update your information
Moved recently or need to update your registration? You can register or make changes online. The regular registration deadline for the November 3 election is October 19, 2026; Same Day Registration remains available afterward at eligible voting locations.
Click here to: Register or Update My Registration
☐ Know what's on your ballot
Review your state and local voter guides before voting. Your specific ballot depends on where you live and the districts you're eligible to vote in.
Click here to: California Official Voter Information Guide
☐ Decide how you'll vote
You can return your ballot by mail or official drop box, or vote in person. Santa Cruz County voters can use any Vote Center in the county, including for early voting.
Click here to: Santa Cruz County Vote Centers & Drop Boxes
☐ Complete, seal & SIGN your ballot
If voting by mail, place your completed ballot in the official return envelope, seal it, and remember to sign the envelope. The signature is used during ballot verification.
☐ Track your ballot
Sign up for California's Where's My Ballot? service. You can receive text, email, or voice notifications telling you when your ballot is on its way, when the county receives it, and whether it has been accepted.
Click here to: Track My Ballot
☐ Make sure your ballot was counted
After voting, you can also use My Voter Status to check the status of your vote-by-mail or provisional ballot.
Click here to: Check My Ballot Status
Santa Cruz County Voter Resources
For replacement ballots, accessible voting, language assistance, registration questions, Vote Centers and other local election services, use the official Santa Cruz County Elections website:
Click here: https://www.votescount.santacruzcountyca.gov
Have Questions?
Need help or have questions about voting? WILDR is here to help connect you with the information and resources you need. You can also contact the Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections Office directly for official voter registration, ballot, and election information.
WILDR: wildr.santacruzcounty@gmail.com
Santa Cruz County Elections: 831-454-2060 info@votescount.santacruzcountyca.gov
A Special Shoutout to Women on the Ballot!
This election season, WILDR is proud to recognize the many women stepping forward to serve their communities and pursue public leadership throughout Santa Cruz County.
From city councils and school boards to community college districts, water districts, the State Assembly, and other offices, women across our region are putting their names on the ballot and participating in the democratic process.
We celebrate all women who choose to run, lead, and serve and recognize the time, courage, and commitment it takes to pursue public office.
Before you vote, get to know the candidates who will appear on your ballot and the offices they are seeking.
Thank you for all of your support in 2026! Because of you, we’ve been able to reach so many meaningful achievements.
We are so appreciative of all those who came out to our events and engaged in conversations with our WILDR community!
As we look to the year ahead, there is still important work to do in 2026! Please consider supporting our continued efforts to advance and uplift diverse women into critical leadership roles.