Help for New Voters

Once Registered to Vote

  1. In four to six weeks, the voter will receive a Voter Notification Card in the mail from the Elections Office confirming that the voter registration card is on file. It requests that the voter check the information to be sure that it is correct.
  2. 2. Five to six weeks before the election, the Elections Office will send the voter a county voter information guide containing information about the candidates and ballot measures on the upcoming ballot. You can view an accessible online version of the county voter guide at stanvote.com. Click on the blue Remote Accessible Vote by Mail button or Current Election. Also watch for the State Voter Information Guide sent to you by the Secretary of State's office before every March or June Primary and November General Election. The state guide contains valuable information on statewide candidates and statewide ballot measures. The state voter guide is also available at voterguide.sos.ca.gov. At that website, you access an online version or order a statewide in other languages, large print or an audio version.
  3. 3. Voters are urged to read both voter guides carefully to become informed on the candidates and issues on the ballot. Candidates have the option to pay for a statement in the voter guides. Some candidates decide against publishing a statement.

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Vote by Mail

All eligible ballots are counted. The first results on Election Night are from vote by mail ballots received before Election Day, with in-person votes released later. By law, all eligible votes must be counted by 30 days after the election.

  • SAFE AND SECURE: Only active registered voters receive a ballot. Every voter signature is checked, and managers conduct double-checks. If you didn’t sign the envelope or the handwriting doesn’t closely resemble what’s in your voter file, we send you a form to correct it. When the form is returned, the challenged ballot will be counted.
  • CONVENIENT: Postage is pre-paid! You can mark the ballot when and where it’s easiest for you. You won’t have to find a voting location or wait in line.
  • CONFIDENTIAL: High-speed opening machines separate voted ballots from envelopes. No one knows how you voted.
  • TRACKING: Check when your ballot is issued and received by our office here. You can also sign up for BallotTrax at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov to get notifications by call, text or email.

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Returning The Voted Vote by Mail Ballot

  • Make sure you are using the correct return envelope by looking for the name near the bar code. Please remember to sign your envelope! All signatures are verified against the voter registration file.
  • Although the ballot arrives by mail, you have a few return options:
    • Mail: Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and arrive in the Elections Office within seven days of Election Day. If mailing on Election Day, check the last pickup time on the mailbox or mail slot. Ballots dropped off after that time won’t be postmarked that day.
    • Hand-delivery: Ballots must be delivered to any vote center, authorized ballot drop box, curbside drop-off location or the Elections Office by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Check stanvote.com or your voter guide for a list of locations, dates and times. Indoor ballot boxes are open during the hours the business or facility is open, so some close before 8 p.m.
  • If the voter is unable to return the ballot, a relative (spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother or sister) or person living in the same household as the voter may deliver the ballot. That person needs to complete the "Authorized Agent" section on the return envelope.

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The voter must remember to sign the ballot envelope or the Elections Office cannot count the ballot.

  • Make sure you are using the correct return envelope by looking for the name near the bar code. Please remember to sign your envelope! All signatures are verified against the voter registration file.
  • The signature will be compared with the signature in your voter registration file. Trained election staff examine the handwriting, not whether you sign Kathleen, Kathy, Kate or K.C. If the handwriting closely resembles what’s on file, the ballot will be eligible to be counted. Managers double-check any challenged signatures.
  • If you didn’t sign your envelope or the signature doesn’t closely resemble the signature in your voter registration file, the Elections Office automatically mails you a form that allows you to correct the problem. The form will be sent to the mailing address in your voter file. Please return the form promptly. You also can get the forms on stanvote.com, under Forms on the homepage: Signature Verification Statement and Unsigned Ballot Envelope Statement.

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Mistakes Made On Vote by Mail Ballots

You may not need a new ballot. If you want to vote for a different candidate or change your vote on a measure, simply draw a line through your original choice. Then mark the choice or choices you want.

If you still need a new ballot, please see the next section.

Requesting or Replacing a Vote by Mail Ballot

If you are registered but didn’t receive a vote by mail ballot, you have these options:

  • Call the Elections Office at 209-525-5200 or 209-525-5230 for Spanish. Be prepared to provide your name, residence address and birthdate. The last day a ballot can be mailed is five days before the election, and that doesn’t guarantee it will arrive in time.
  • Send an email to moc.ytnuocnats@etovnats requesting your ballot. Please provide your name, residence address and birthdate. The last day a ballot can be mailed is five days before the election, and that doesn’t guarantee it will arrive in time.
  • If you received your ballot but need a new one and the election is at least 10 days away, you can mark the “spoils box” on the left side of the return envelope flap and mail it back to us.
  • Go to any vote center or the Elections Office to get a new ballot. Check your voter guide or stanvote.com for vote center locations, dates and times. Ballots are available in the Elections Office 29 days before each election. Parking is easier at vote centers than the Elections Office. A relative or someone in your household can pick up a new ballot for you with a written request including your name, residence address, birthdate and signature.
  • Try Remote Accessible Vote by Mail. Go to stanvote, then click on the blue button that says Remote Accessible Vote by Mail (RAVBM). Learn about how it works and click on the link in the center of the page to access the system. You need Internet access and a printer to use RAVBM. You can view the voter guide and print a new ballot today. This is not online voting. The ballot must be mailed or hand-delivered with the same deadlines outlined above.

Voter Assistance

English Assistance
209-525-5200
Spanish Assistance
209-525-5230

Featured Information

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Disclaimer: The information contained in these pages was valid at the time of publication. The County Clerk / Recorder / Registrar of Voters reserves the right to modify, update, change or make improvements at any time, without notice, and assumes no liability for damages incurred directly or indirectly as a result of errors, omissions or discrepancies.