The big day is finally here. Candidates have raised money, erected campaign signs, knocked on doors and more. Now, it’s your turn. Your task is simple. It is to show up at the polls, be counted and vote. Let your voice be heard.

Polls open at 7 a.m. today, June 5, and close at 8 p.m.

As of June 4, 675,441 vote-by-mail ballots have been issued and 138,441 have been returned, according to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters. Thousands have already completed the task

If you do not know where to vote, polling places are listed on the back of the Sample Ballot.  If you don’t have your sample ballot, you can click here to find your specific polling place.

If you missed the May 21 voter registration deadline, you can still vote in this election. If you missed the deadline, then you have a small task. Go to your County Elections Office or other special location. You will be able to register and vote on the same day — all the way up through today, June 5, 2018. All it takes is three simple steps you can complete in one visit:

1.       Register to vote.

2.       Vote.

3.       Seal tte ballot in a special envelope and sign it.

Don’t feel left out of the democratic process.

In addition to the races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, governor, state Senate, state Assembly, and myriad ballot initiatives, there is a controversial issue on the Palm Springs ballot known as Measure C.

Measure C is a ballot initiative that asks residents to decide on June 5 whether vacation rentals of single-family residences in single-family residential zones should be banned.

The other must-watch race is that for Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor.  Supervisor V. Manuel “Manny” Perez, appointed last year to fill a vacancy, is being challenged by Jan Harnik, a member of the Palm Desert City Council.

It has been one of most contentious races of this election cycle.