Encinitas voters will receive mail ballots the week of Oct. 5 for the Nov. 3 election, which features contested races for mayor and two City Council seats.

The San Diego County Registrar of Voters began mailing voter information pamphlets to more than 2 million registered voters on Friday, Sept. 25, according to the County News Center. Each pamphlet includes candidate statements, ballot measures, a sample ballot and locations for drop boxes and vote centers.

Voters who signed up for electronic delivery should have already received an email with a link to their pamphlet. Those who opted in electronically will not receive a paper copy.

What's on the ballot

Encinitas has three local races on the Nov. 3 ballot, according to the city's unofficial candidate list, last updated Aug. 13. Mayor Bruce Ehlers faces challenger Rimga Viskanta, a San Dieguito Union High School District trustee, in the mayoral race.

In District 3, community organizer Arielle Golden runs against retired firefighter and professor Ed Sprague. In District 4, small business owner Brad Lefkowits faces appointed Councilmember Marco San Antonio.

The City Council voted 4-0 on Wednesday, June 10, to consolidate the municipal election with the statewide Gubernatorial General Election, according to city records. Council members Ehlers, Joy O'Hara, San Antonio and Luke Shaffer voted in favor. Councilmember Tony Lyndes was absent.

How to return your ballot

Every active registered voter will receive a ballot by mail. The Registrar of Voters said ballots can be returned three ways: by mail with no postage required, at an official ballot drop box or at any vote center.

Drop boxes

Three official drop boxes serve the Encinitas area, according to the Registrar's drop box list. All open Sunday, Oct. 4, and remain available through Election Day:

  • Encinitas Branch Library, 540 Cornish Dr. Hours: Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, noon to 7 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, 535 Encinitas Blvd., Suite 116. Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Friday through Sunday and Monday, Oct. 12.
  • Cardiff-by-the-Sea Branch Library, 2081 Newcastle Ave. Open 24 hours through Monday, Nov. 2.

On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, all three drop boxes are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Vote centers

Three vote centers open Saturday, Oct. 31, and run through Election Day, according to the Registrar's vote center list:

  • Capri Elementary School (Media Center), 941 Capri Rd.
  • Encinitas Community Center (Manzanita Room), 1140 Oakcrest Park Dr.
  • Ada W. Harris Elementary School (MPR), 1508 Windsor Rd., Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Select vote centers countywide open earlier, on Saturday, Oct. 24. Vote centers operate daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday, Nov. 2, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Voters can find the full list of locations and hours at sdvote.com or call 858-565-5800 or toll-free 800-696-0136.