I will be voting by mail. I do have my pamphlet and ballot. I've heard rumors that it's a good idea to mail your ballot in early. If dropped by the polling place or mailed @ the last minute, it may not be counted. Is this true?

Ed is correct all ballots are in the totals on the day after the election. You should mail your ballot early so if anything is wrong such as you forgot to sign,. The office will have time to ask you for your signature. The policy is clearly printed on the envelope ballot must be received by up to 3 days past the election. If you drop your ballot off at a different County such as Marin it probably will never be counted.

Mailed ballots dropped off at polling places are not counted until AFTER election day once they are verified so do not reflect in election night tallys.