ELK GROVE, Calif. — The healthcare workers of the future toured California Northstate University during Open House Saturday morning, but not Patrick McCullough.
"I'm out here to vote early and get that over with so that we can get on with governing the country," said McCullough. "I've voted here the last four or five elections, and you're in and out in like five or six, ten minutes."
With McCullough planning to be out of town on Election Day, Saturday morning—just hours after 18 voting centers opened in Sacramento County—was the time.
Meanwhile, at Elk Grove's Center at District 56, voter Bob Brown was trying to avoid any last-minute disruptions, taking advantage of the voting center there Saturday morning.
"If you wait to the last minute, they (could) have equipment problems or if you don't have your ballot and they're out of ballots, things like that," said Brown.
But not everyone can vote in person early. San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Colusa and Solano are among about half of California's counties where polling places will only be open on Election Day, November 5.
"We've been a Voter's Choice Act county here in Sacramento County since 2018," said Sacramento County public information officer Ken Casparis. "And it basically gives voters more options to submit their ballots to cast their vote."
The 2016 act allows voters to cast a ballot at any voting center in their county and expands in-person early voting—but counties have to opt in, and only 29 have so far.
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"I did my mail-in ballot about a month ago or whenever it came out," said Elk Grove voter Ricardo Pacheco. "I wanted to get my vote in right away."
Mail-in ballots can be postmarked any time before or on Election Day or dropped off at drop boxes offered in some counties.
"I think it's all of our responsibility to vote and support the community," said Darrel Smith after voting at a voting center in Elk Grove Saturday.
The clock is now ticking.
"Your vote is very important," said Pacheco. "We need every vote to count."
Watch more from ABC10: ABC10 Your Voice, Your Vote Election 2024 Special
