Claremonters will have the opportunity to test out new voting equipment during a mock election on September 28 and 29.

You can test drive the equipment between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. both days at Taylor Hall, 1775 N. Indian Hill Boulevard, according to a release from the city. There will be non-political topics to vote on for people of all ages.

This mock election has no relationship with the upcoming November 5 decision regarding Measure CR, the proposed three-quarter cent sales and use tax increase.

County election staff will be hosting the mock election to familiarize voters with the new voting equipment and to answer questions and assist with use of the equipment, the city said. For more information on the new voting equipment and mock election vote center locations throughout the County, please visit LAVote.net/Mock-Election.

Meanwhile, sample ballots for the November 5 election will be mailed out to voters during the period of September 26 to October 15. Vote-by-mail ballots can be issued by the County beginning October 7, and permanent vote-by-mail voters may begin to see ballots in their mailbox as early as October 8.

To register to vote or to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot, please visit www.lavote.net, choose the tab “Voting and Elections,” followed by “Voting Options.”

For those going to the polls in person on November 5, Claremont has been selected to be part of LA County’s pilot program to have the new voting equipment available as an option for voters at traditional polling locations, the city said. You can either choose the traditional “Ink-A-Vote” option or use the new system. The new voting system will still print out a paper ballot, which will then be deposited into a locked ballot box, the city said.

The system will be further changed beginning with the March 2020 presidential primary, when the county expects to fully implement vote centers and the new voting equipment, the city said. Vote centers will be open a full 10 days leading up to election day, giving voters an opportunity to vote at their convenience, as opposed to traditional polling places open only on election day.

Please contact Shelley Desautels, City Clerk (909) 399-5461, or Jamie Costanza, Deputy City Clerk (909) 399-5463 to answer questions or for voter assistance.