While Election Day is a month away, voting has already started. Vote-by-mail ballots are being sent to voters starting Oct. 11, the same day three voting centers opened for those who want to cast an early ballot.

Voting centers are in Redwood City at 555 County Center on the first floor; in San Mateo at 40 Tower Road, and at the South San Francisco Public Library, 840 West Orange Ave. Voters from any precinct in the county may cast a ballot or drop off a mail-in ballot at the centers.

The voting centers are open weekdays through Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; on two Saturdays — Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 — from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Registered voters who haven't signed up for permanent absentee status or asked to have a vote-by-mail ballot for this election may still do so until Nov. 1 by using the application postcard on the back cover of their sample ballot and election information pamphlet.

At shapethefuture.org voters can ask for a mail-in ballot under "Access My Election Materials."

To be counted, mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by Monday, Nov. 14, or dropped off at any city or town hall in the county through the close of business on Nov. 8.

On Election Day, mail-in ballots may be dropped off until 8 p.m. at the voting centers or any active polling place in the county.

Go to shapethefuture.org, call (650) 312-5222, or follow @smcvote on Twitter for more information.