How Vote By Mail Works in California

Voting by mail is a one step process in California. Beginning last year, ballots are now automatically mailed to all registered voters. After you complete your ballot, be sure to return it ASAP!

• Return in person by Election Day, November 7th, at 8 p.m. You can return to any county drop boxes, polling sites, vote centers, and your county election office.
• Or return your ballot by mail - ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, November 7th and received by 7 days after Election Day to be counted. To make your postmark date, put the ballot into your home mailbox for collection at least one day prior to ensure it is picked up and processed. You can also drop the ballot off at the post office before the last posted collection time on Election Day. We recommend returning ASAP.

Need your ballot sent to a different address? Apply for your ballot here by October 31st and follow the steps listed above. If you need a ballot mailed to a different address after this date, contact your county elections office.

Request Your Ballot See Your Ballot Look Up Ballot Drop Off Locations

How You Can Return Your Mail-in Ballot

By Mail

Your postage is prepaid.

By Courier

Return your ballot via commercial delivery services, such as FedEx or UPS (at your expense)

In Person

• Local elections office
• Drop box
• Early voting locations
• Polling place

Any designated person can drop off a ballot for you. You must fill out the authorization section found on the outside of the ballot envelope.

Look Up Ballot Drop Off Locations

Haven't used your ballot?

If you decide to vote in person rather than use your mail-in ballot, go to your polling place or early voting location and vote. To vote at a vote center, you do not need to bring your unused ballot. To vote at a polling place, you do need to bring your unused ballot to be "surrendered." If you do not bring your ballot, you will vote via provisional ballot.