Reclaim Our Vote

SFPPP supports Reclaim Our Vote, a nonpartisan program of the Center for Common Ground designed to reach voters of color, and young voters, who have been or are at risk of being removed from their state’s voter rolls. Under guidance from Reclaim Our Vote, we phone bank and send postcards to voters in states like Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, and Arizona so they are aware that their voter registration may no longer be valid, and know how to re-register.

Voter Registration

We do voter registration outreach at community events, and we work with local high schools to bring voter registration events into the schools so young people age 16 and over can register or pre-register to vote while they’re at school. We also do a major outreach push on National Voter Registration Day.

The Voter's Choice Act (VCA) Education

San Mateo County and Santa Clara County have recently implemented the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA), a law which expands options for how, when, and where to vote. It includes the option to register to vote and cast a ballot up to and including Election Day. SFPPP goes into the community to inform and motivate registered voters and potential voters to get out and vote using their newly available options. Members of SFPPP also volunteer on the county’s Voter Education and Outreach Advisory Committee, helping guide county outreach efforts.

We also did outreach to communities with historically low Vote-by-Mail turnout, which would be most affected by the absence of small local polling places. Over three months we:

Worked with over two dozen community groups.
Made 15 live presentations about the VCA.
Hosted tables at 18 events where we registered voters and educated people about the VCA.
Provided educational VCA materials to 27 other organizations and 40 former polling places.

Based on information from the Elections Office website, the VCA rollout looks like a success: there was significant increase in turnout for this past election, and a larger base of registered voters.

In the June 2014 primary, there were 354,994 registered voters; voter turnout was 27%
In the June 2018 primary, there were 388,298 registered voters; voter turnout was 44%

Voting Resources

How to Register & Vote in California

Register to vote in California (you can pre-register starting at age 16)
Check your registration status
SMCVote.org has online resources about voting in San Mateo County: registration, voting locations, and more.
Santa Clara County’s Registrar of Voters has online resources about voting in Santa Clara County: registration, voting locations, and more.
Restore Your Vote: If you are a California resident and US citizen with a felony conviction, this tool will help you determine if you are eligible to vote. If you are, it will give you a link to register.

You have many options for how you vote in the 2020 Presidential Election in San Mateo County. From the Riekes Center and San Francisco Peninsula People Power

Information about Candidates & Ballot Measures

Vote411.org has nonpartisan info about ballot issues and voting locations in every state
BallotPedia has election info, ballot guides, news and fact checking for voters
VotersEdge.org has nonpartisan California candidate and ballot measure info from the League of Women Voters. You can enter your address into the tool below, and it will open a window with information about the specific candidates and measures on your local ballot. SFPPP does not collect your address when you use this tool.

Advocate and Work for Voting Rights

National Voter Corps is a nonpartisan organization that mobilizes volunteers to push for voting rights and greater participation
Reclaim Our Vote is a nonpartisan program to reach voters of color, and young voters, who have been or are at risk of being removed from their state’s voter rolls
Fair Fight is a voting rights organization started by Stacey Abrams to combat voter suppression and to work for free and fair elections in Georgia and across the country.