Voter Registration Card (VCR) Completion

The VRC must be provided to all applicants at intake, RRRs, BenefitsCal applications, and whenever there is a change of address. These guidelines are provided to help EWs answer clients questions. EWs are required to offer the client assistance with the completion of the VCR. Print all information in black ink as clearly and legibly as possible and enter only one letter or number in each box.

Section 1 - Name

Print in this section the person’s legal first name and middle name. Do not use nicknames or initials. Printing must be clear to ensure accuracy.

Section 2 - Last Name

Print the person’s last name in this section. Do not use nicknames or initials. Printing must be clear to ensure accuracy.

Section 3 - Title

Fill in one of the Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms. boxes; however, the information regarding titles is not required to be completed.

Section 4 - Home Address

Enter the address where the person lives. It is very important that the exact address where the person lives is provided. Include the number, street, and apartment number. A business address, mailing address, PO box, or a rural route without a box number may not be used in this space. If voter does not have a home address, go to Section 6. If the voter is unable to receive mail at this location, a mailing address must be provided in Section 7.

Section 5 - Home Address Continued

Enter the city, state, ZIP code, and county where the person lives.

Section 6 - No Street Address

If the person does not have a street address, fill in this Section, giving an exact description of where the person lives. Names of identifiable cross streets, bridges or whatever else will help locate their “home” on a map. The election officials will use this descriptive information to place the client in the proper voting precinct and ensure they have the opportunity to vote for all the candidates and issues, as eligible. If the voter is unable to receive mail at this location, a mailing address must be provided in Section 7.

Section 7 - Mailing Address

If the person gets his/her mail at an address other than his/her home address, enter the mailing address in this section. Include the number, street, and apartment number. If the person entered no address in Sections 4 and 5, an address where the person can be reached by mail MUST be entered in Sections 7 and 8.

Section 8 - Mailing Address

Enter the city, state, ZIP code and county of the person’s mailing address. If the person entered no address in Sections 4 and 5, an address where the person can be reached by mail MUST be entered in Sections 7 and 8.

Section 9 - Date of Birth

This is the date of birth. First indicate the month, then the day, and finally the year in which they were born. This information helps establish eligibility to vote and helps election officials identify duplicate records in the voter file.

Section 10 - Place of Birth

In this space, enter where the person was born; the name of the state in the U.S., or the name of the country if they were born outside of the U.S.

Section 11 - California Driver’s License or CA ID Number

Enter the person’s California driver’s license number or California Identification Card number, if the person has one. If the person does not have a driver’s license or ID card, enter the last four digits of the person’s SSN. If this information is not filled in on this form, the person will be required to provide identification when he/she votes.

Section 12 - Email Address

Enter the email address. Every character including dashes, dots, slashes, and underscores should be in a separate box. This entry is optional.

Section 13 - Telephone Number

Enter a phone number, if there is one. It is not required, but is useful in case the election's office has a question about the Voter Registration Card or voting materials and they need to contact the person. If a phone number is provided, be sure also to include the three-digit area code first. This number is posted in precincts on election day.

Section 14 - Choice of Party

Section 14 is for selecting a political party. Fill in the box by the name of the political party with which the person wishes to register. If the person wishes to register with an unlisted party, fill in the box next to “Other” and enter the name of the party. If the person does not wish to register with any party, fill in the box next to the statement “No Party Preference.”

Reminder: EWs must not attempt to influence the client's choice of a political party.

Section 15 - Vote by Mail Ballot

This section allows the voter the option of receiving their voting ballot by mail. If the person chooses this option, have them enter his/her initials in the space provided.

Section 16 - Prior Registration (Optional)

The prior registration information section is optional and asks if the voter has been registered to vote before. If the person has been previously registered to vote, the information regarding the prior registration is optional in this section.

The name under which the voter was previously registered;
The address at which the voter was registered, including city, state, ZIP code and county. If the voter cannot remember the prior address, fill out as much as he/she can remember;
The political party for which he/she was previously registered.

Section 17- Citizenship and Age

In this section, the individual must indicate if they are a U.S. citizen and if they will be at least 18 years of age by the next election date. Fill in the box next to the correct YES or NO answer to the questions “Are you a citizen of the United States of America?” and “Will you be 18 years of age on or before election day?”

Section 18 - Signature

Before signing, the client should very carefully read the voter declaration and warning which is printed above the signature box. This is a declaration under penalty of perjury that the voter has read and met the requirements for registering to vote. The voter must sign and date the affidavit/VRC. If the voter cannot sign his/her name, the voter should place an “X” or make a mark in the signature box. When the voter is unable to sign, the “Did someone help you fill out or deliver this form?” section must be completed. EWs must sign the card ONLY if they completed the VRC for the client. The EW’s phone number is not required.

Other persons who are paid by organizations to recruit voters are required to enter their phone number in this section; however, this rule does not apply to this SCC Agency.

Optional Section

Survey

This section is an optional survey to determine if the person registering to vote is interested in helping with the election by becoming a polling place worker or by providing a polling place site. Fill in the appropriate box if the person is interested in helping with the election. If the client is not interested, leave this section blank.

Ethnicity/Race

This is an optional section used to capture ethnic information. Ask if the person wishes to provide this information. If yes, fill in the box by the ethnic group based on the information the client provides. If the client does not wish to provide the information, leave this section blank.

Language Preference

This section allows the voter to choose in what language he/she prefers to receive his/her voting materials. Mark the box next to the language the voter chooses. Required languages other than English for SCC include: Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

Affidavit Receipt

The “affidavit receipt” or stub at the bottom of the registration card must be initialed and dated by the EW only when the client gives the completed card to the EW for mailing. Advise clients to keep the receipt as proof that they have registered, even when they complete the card at home and mail it themselves.