Ready, set, vote

With the Iowa vote in and New Hampshire voting Tuesday, only a month remains before Californians take their turn. Right?

Not exactly. The California vote begins today. Registered voters can apply for, receive and mark absentee primary ballots right now and can return them through Feb. 5.

Every year, more voters here cast their ballots well before election day, opting to weigh in early and forgo the final month of debate, commercials and promises. For better or worse, the state’s experiment in seeking its proper clout by moving up its presidential primary is now in full swing.

Voters in Los Angeles County may request absentee ballots electronically at lavote.net or by mail at Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, P.O. Box 30450, Los Angeles, CA 90030-0450. Absentee voter applications must be received by elections officials no later than midnight on Jan. 29.

The last day to register to vote in California’s presidential primary is Jan. 22.

Voters may register by mail or at most Los Angeles County buildings, fire stations, libraries, state motor vehicle offices and U.S. post offices. Information is available at 800-481-VOTE and at lavote.net.