What you need to know to vote on Election Day in Silicon Valley

Election Day is here, and hundreds of thousands of South Bay residents will flock to the polls to make their voices heard.

California’s first year with an early primary election — in March instead of June — puts the country’s most populous state in a consequential position to help decide the Democratic presidential nomination. About 415 delegates from the Golden State will be awarded Tuesday, more than any other state and all four of the early states combined.

Locally, 22 measures are on the primary ballot, including both local and state education funding issues. In San Jose, voters will decide whether to award four city councilmembers — Sergio Jimenez (District 2), Lan Diep (District 4), Dev Davis (District 6) and Sylvia Arenas (District 8) — another four years in office. They’ll also decide who to send to City Hall to replace term-limited Councilmember Johnny Khamis in District 10.

This is the first time in recent history that every incumbent councilmember faces a challenger, signaling a growing rift on the San Jose City Council as two factions — business and labor — battle for control. The election could also shift Mayor Sam Liccardo’s 6-5 majority on the council as he finishes out the last two years of his term.

Voters will also decide who should fill an open seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, as well as two openings in the California Legislature — Senate District 15, held by term-limited Sen. Jim Beall, and Assembly District 25, left open by Assemblymember Kansen Chu who is running for county supervisor.

San José Spotlight’s team wrote 19 in-depth candidate profiles and covered dozens of candidate forums in the local and legislative races. Catch up on our coverage here.

And here’s what you need to know about how to cast a vote in Santa Clara County on Tuesday:

Where can I vote?

For the first time, Santa Clara County’s 953,960 registered voters can cast a ballot at any vote center in the county — instead of assigned precinct polling places. To find a vote center near you, click here.

What time will vote centers be open?

Vote centers will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

What about dropping off a vote-by-mail ballot?

Another first in Santa Clara County: Every voter this year received a vote-by-mail ballot last month. Voters can drop off their completed ballots at a vote center or any additional drop-off location. Find all the locations by clicking here.

What if I didn’t register to vote or want to change parties?

The California Legislature approved same-day voter registration, which means you can change your party status, register or re-register to vote at any vote center on Election Day.

Where can I find voting results after polls close?

Election results will be available by clicking here. The first results with preliminary vote-by-mail ballot tallies will be online shortly after polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Elections officials will update results every 45 minutes until all vote centers have reported.

Need more information?

Contact the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters’ Office at (408) 299-VOTE (8683) or (866) 430-VOTE (8683), or visit www.sccvote.org.

The San José Spotlight team will be scattered throughout the South Bay on Election Day to bring you the latest updates and results, as well as a peek inside the candidates’ watch parties. Follow along on our LIVE BLOG starting Tuesday morning or follow our Twitter account.