Election Day: Live Updates From Sierra, Plumas, and Nevada Counties
The Sierraville drop box closes at 7 PM. Sierra County expects its first results after 8 PM.
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DOWNIEVILLE – It’s Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Voters in Sierra, Plumas, and Nevada counties can return ballots in person until 8 PM, though some drop boxes close earlier. The Mountain Messenger will update this article with election news and local results.
Sierra County: The Sierra Valley drop box moved from Loyalton City Hall to Sierraville School, 305 South Lincoln Street, where it closes at 7 PM. In Downieville, return ballots to the courthouse drop box or elections office at 100 Courthouse Square until 8 PM.
Plumas County: Return ballots by 8 PM at the Quincy courthouse, 520 Main Street. Use the drop box outside or take your envelope to the elections office in Room 102.
Nevada County: In North San Juan, Sweetland Garden Mercantile’s drop box closes at 5 PM. The community center at 29190 State Highway 49 takes ballots until 8 PM. Other 8 PM options include Grass Valley City Hall (125 East Main Street), Nevada City Hall (317 Broad Street), and the Truckee Library (10031 Levon Avenue). Nevada County’s full list has hours and addresses for all vote centers and drop boxes.
Seal and sign your return envelope. If you’re in line at a polling place by 8 PM, you can still vote. If you mail your ballot today, ask a postal clerk to postmark it by hand. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by November 3 and reach your county elections office by November 10.
When to expect results
Sierra County election workers will open and process mail ballots at 5 PM in the Board of Supervisors’ chambers at the Downieville courthouse. The public can watch in person or online. The county expects its first unofficial results after 8 PM, once the California Secretary of State confirms that polls statewide have closed.
Senate Bill 884, is new this election. If a prohibited arrest or illegal campaigning near a polling place disrupts voting, a county elections official can extend hours there after consulting the county’s lawyer. A court can also extend hours.
Under the state’s reporting rules, if any polling place gets an extension, all counties must wait until it ends to release results for statewide contests, such as governor, and contests that cross county lines. A county whose own polls close on time can still release results for races decided entirely within its borders.