Starting this week Golden State registered voters should start receiving their vote-by-mail ballots for the Nov. 4 election, Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced Monday.

Bowen said the number of Californians who vote by mail has swelled in recent years. In the November 2000 General Election, approximately 24 percent of the 11.1 million ballots were cast by mail rather than at polling places. During the last presidential election four years ago, 32.6 percent of the 12.6 million Californian ballots came in by mail. In the primary elections in February and June of this year, 41.7 percent and 58.7 percent of ballots were cast by mail, respectively.

"Interest in the Nov. 4 election is going through the roof and I wouldn't be surprised to see a record number of Californians cast ballots," Bowen said in a statement. "Any Californian can vote by mail for any reason.  Many people enjoy voting at the polls on Election Day, but an increasing number of voters find the mail option to be an easy way to beat the crowds by voting at their convenience."

While Bowen said her office does not predict turnout, but all signs point to high interest in this historic election.  Recently, her office processed between 6,000 and 10,000 voter registration cards a day leading up to the Oct. 20 voter registration deadline. 

The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the November election is Oct. 28. 

For more information about voting by mail, or to download an application for a vote-by-mail ballot, go to http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_m.htm.

The last day to register to vote in the November election is Oct. 20.  Registering to vote is simple and free.  Registration forms are available at most post offices, public libraries, city and county offices, and the Secretary of State's offices.  More information about voter registration is also available at http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm.