Marin County mailed ballots to registered voters on Monday, Oct. 5, for the Nov. 3 general election, opening in-person voting at the Civic Center in San Rafael. Across the county, the election includes 20 local measures and 14 state propositions, according to the county elections office. Individual voters receive the local measures applicable to their address.

San Rafael residents will find several city items on the ballot. Measure W would raise the city's real estate transfer tax from 0.2% to 1%, requiring a simple majority to pass. The city estimates the increase would generate roughly $6 million in additional annual revenue, according to the official impartial analysis. The tax applies when property changes ownership.

Two candidates are competing for San Rafael’s District 3 City Council seat. Daryoush Davidi, a San Rafael business owner, faces Robert Sandoval, a planning commissioner and attorney. Incumbent Eli Hill is running unopposed for the District 2 seat, according to the county’s official candidate list.

Registrar of Voters Natalie Adona emphasized voter participation in the county’s announcement.

"We have one of the highest voter turnouts not just in the Bay Area but in the state," Adona said. "Our residents continually show up and exercise their right to vote."

Voters who want their choices reflected in the first Election Night results are encouraged to return ballots by Oct. 27. That is a recommended return date, not the voting deadline.

The county recommends using 19 official drop boxes available countywide; locations and hours are listed online. In-person voting opened Oct. 5 at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive in San Rafael.

Additional vote centers begin opening Oct. 24 and Oct. 31. Voters should check the county’s location-specific schedule before visiting. All 21 centers will operate on Election Day, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The deadline to register or update a registration and still receive a ballot by mail is Oct. 19. Voters can register at registertovote.ca.gov or pick up a paper form at Marin County libraries, post offices or the Elections Department in Suite 121 of the Civic Center.

Eligible voters who miss that deadline can still register and vote in person through Election Day. The department can be reached at 415-473-6456.

Voters who mail ballots in the final week before the election should go inside the post office and request a hand-stamped postmark. The county’s ballot canvass — the process of verifying and completing the count — begins Nov. 4 at 8 a.m., according to the official election calendar.