"Right now, we have 322,000 votes in San Francisco. That's a 62% turnout, which is incredibly high at this point in the election cycle," said John Arntz Monday morning. Arntz is the Director of the Department of Elections.
[Ads /]
"The highest turnout for any election I can find records for goes back to 1904- 86% in the city. So we are only what- 24% away from that. So tomorrow (Tuesday) we could potentially have a strong day and have the highest turnout in the city's history. 2016 was just under 81%, 2008 was just over 81%. So 81% would be your high turnout mark and we are only what 19% away from that at this point," Arntz explained.
MAP: Every Bay Area voting location
"I would expect this to be the highest election turnout in over 100 years," he said.
Voters dropping off their ballots Monday morning said there are two things they are trying to avoid by voting early.
"Crowds and COVID. I am looking to just get away from that and make sure we get it in. There are no lines, even with the drop off," said Mekleet Aytenfsu, after dropping off her ballot in Civic Center Plaza.
RELATED: CA early voting shatters records, points to historic overall turnout ahead of Election Day
Voters like what they are hearing about the turnout.
"I think it's great. I think this is a pretty big election and I think that the word has been out. People mobilized early to get out and vote. It's a good thing. It's a testament to where we are right now. It's really encouraging," said San Francisco resident Gerald Jones.
[Ads /]
For those voting on Tuesday, officials have a couple of tips.
WATCH: Allies in Action: Bay Area's 'Revolution of Black Youth' and how it started
Allies in Action: Bay Area's 'Revolution of Black Youth' and how it started
"People don't have to take their vote-by-mail ballot to the polling place. They'll vote by regular ballot. With vote-by-mail, there's no instantaneous tabulation of the ballot. Whereas, at the polling places, the tabulation occurs at the site. You'll receive a regular ballot that they can tabulate at the polling places," Arntz explained.
He also wants to remind everyone planning to mail their ballot to check and make sure it will be postmarked in time.
"The main thing with people mailing ballots, at this point, you really have to look at the information on those blue boxes- the pick-up times. If people drop their ballot in the blue box after the pick-up time, the postmark will be Wednesday and we can't count that ballot."
The San Francisco Elections Department hired an extra 150 people this year to handle the expected large turnout.
Get the latest stories and videos about the 2020 election here.
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- CA Election 2020: Here's a roundup of everything you need to know
- California propositions: A voter's guide to the 2020 ballot measures
- 3 likely scenarios showing when we'll know the winner of the presidential election
- Here's the last day to mail in your ballot in California
- What's the difference between an absentee and mail-in ballot?
- Key dates and deadlines to remember in California
- Want to vote in person? Here's where to go, what to know in the Bay Area
- Here's a deeper look at 3 of the most contentious California ballot propositions
- How your vote affects Black lives: Berkeley professor creates Black Lives Voter Guide
- New website lets you track your mail-in ballot, see when it's counted
- Bay Area sports arenas to convert into voting centers, ballot drop off locations
- What is Prop. 14? California voters will be asked to continue funding stem cell research
- What is Prop 15? Voters to decide property tax hike on big business
- What is Prop. 16? Here's how it will impact affirmative action in California
- What is Prop. 17? Voters asked to restore right to vote for parolees after completion of prison term
- What is California Prop. 18? Measure would let some 17-year-olds vote
- What is Prop.19? Measure would change several facets of property tax rules in California
- What is Prop. 20? Measure would allow prosecutors to reclassify some misdemeanor crimes as felonies
- What is Prop 21? Initiative would allow cities to enact more rent control
- What is Prop. 22? Voters to decide if app-based drivers should be classified as employees or contractors
- What is Prop. 23? Measure would impact dialysis clinics, patients
- What is Prop 24? Voters to decide future of consumer data privacy protections
- What is Prop 25? California to vote on eliminating cash bail system
[Ads /]