By Jorge Casuso

Editor's note: This report has been updated to reflect the number of ballots returned as of Monday.

October 30, 2020 -- With 60 percent of Santa Monica's 72,051 ballots already returned to the LA County Registrar, those who don't plan to vote by mail can visit one of more than a dozen vote centers and drop boxes across the city.

As of Thursday, Santa Monica voters had mailed in 32,443 ballots, leaving 39,608 ballots mailed to all of the city's registered voters still outstanding, according to Political Data Inc.

Those who cast ballots by mail must have them postmarked by Election Day. Under a new State law, ballots can be received by the LA County Registrar up to 17 days after the election.

Voters can also drop off their ballots or cast their votes at nine Santa Monica vote centers, which have replaced traditional polling places during the coronavirus emergency.

Those who haven't registered can do so and cast their ballots before the centers close at 8 p.m. on Election Day Tuesday. A 1-Day Mobile/Flex Vote Center will be open Saturday at Virginia Avenue Park.

The Vote Centers are located at Santa Monica College's Corsair Gym, the National Typewriter Company, former Fire Station 1 Downtown and Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Airport.

Centers are also located at six public schools -- Santa Monica High School, Franklin Elementary, Grant Elementary, John Muir/SMASH,
Roosevelt Elementary and Will Rogers Learning Community.

The Vote Centers are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Monday and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Santa Monica voters also can also return their ballots at five drop boxes in the city.

These are at the Downtown Expo Station, which is open during operating hours, and 24 hours at the Santa Monica Main Library, the Montana Avenue Branch Library, Virginia Avenue Park and Marine Park.

In addition to state and national races, five City Council seats will be up for grabs next Tuesday -- four full term seats and one partial term seat that is uncontested.

Also on the ballot are three School Board seats, three College Board seats and two seats on the Rent Control Board.

In addition to 12 state propositions, local voters will weigh in on two ballot measures.

One would boost Santa Monica's "luxury" real estate tax to help fund municipal services; the other would amend the City Charter to help diversify the municipal workforce.

For more information visit the Santa Monica City Clerk's election page at https://www.smvote.org/