LA election FAQ: What you need to know about Tuesday's elections

You probably haven't heard much about it, but Tuesday, Nov. 3, is election day in Southern California.

While there are no high-profile seats at stake, there are mayoral races, local ballot measures, openings for school board and city council seats that will be on the ballot, depending on where you vote.

Many of these elections may well affect the city you live in. 

Though voter turnout is expected to be low, the cost is high. In Los Angeles County alone, election expenses are projected to top $10.8 million. There are also hundreds of millions of bond dollars up for voter consideration in some cities. 

Keep up with LAist.

If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.

Subscribe

Below, we've gathered up answers to common questions that voters may have.

We'd love to hear about your voting experience and see your pictures. Just mention @maryplummer or @KPCC on Twitter and we'll share your comments and photos with our audience.

Election FAQs

1. When do the polls open and close on Tuesday? 

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. 

2. Where is my nearest polling location? 

Find your nearest Los Angeles county polling place by searching here. Beyond L.A. County, check the secretary of state's website for your local information.

3. Am I registered to vote? 

Check if you are registered in the county of Los Angeles here. If you live outside of Los Angeles County, check the secretary of state's website for your county's info. You can also find out what's on your local ballot and answers to other election-related questions. 

4. I can't find my polling place. Where can I go? 

If you live in the L.A. area and don’t know where to vote, you can always go to the county's election headquarters in Norwalk. Officials there will be accepting ballots there from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The address: 12400 Imperial Hwy., Room 3002, Norwalk, CA 90650.

5. Are there ballots in different languages?

In Los Angeles County, ballots are available in English, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese.

6. Can I take time off from work to vote? 

You are allowed up to two hours at the beginning or end of your work shift to vote on paid time, according to state law. This is allowed if you do not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote.