News Briefs

Ballots can be turned into City Hall

Canyon Lake voters have a variety of options for getting their votes counted. They can vote by mail, use a ballot drop-off location or vote in person at voter assistance centers.

Ballots for the Nov. 3 General Election can be turned in between now and Nov. 3 at the City of Canyon Lake City Hall Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Residents must call the city at 951-244-2955 when they arrive so the ballot can be received at the closed offices.

There will also be a Voter Assistance Center at the Canyon Lake Country Club in the Magnolia Room. Voters may drop off their ballots there from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. On Election Day, November 3, the Magnolia Room will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

There will be a separate line for voters just dropping off ballots. The voter assistance center will have social distancing measures in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Of course, with all registered voters having received ballots in the mail, the ballots can be submitted via the mail and postmarked anytime between now and Nov. 3. It is being encouraged by the registrar of voters that these mailed-in ballots be mailed as soon as possible so that they arrive prior to Nov. 3 so they can be counted and included in the election night count.

Mailed ballots can be tracked so voters can ensure they are received by the elections office by signing up for the state’s “Where’s My Ballot?” tool at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov. Voters will receive updates when the elections office receives the ballot and counts the ballot.

Menifee voters could lower city sales tax rate

With many Canyon Lake residents shopping in nearby Menifee, a vote by Menifee voters may result in shoppers there receiving one percent savings on taxable purchases. The voters in the city are being asked whether or not to repeal a 1% sales tax increase voters approved in 2016.

Currently, purchases made in Menifee are taxed at a rate of 8.75% compared to Canyon Lake’s rate of 7.75%. If the voters repeal the added tax, Menifee will join Canyon Lake and other cities in the state with the basic sales tax rate of 7.75%.

The extra 1% sales tax stays in the City of Menifee and helps pay for city emergency services, public safety, community health services and traffic-control.