Vote-by-Mail (previously known as Absentee Voting) is available and no excuse is required. The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is 5pm, 10 days before the election. You can return your absentee ballot request form through the mail or in person. Voted ballots must be received by 7pm on Election Day in order to be counted. You can sign up to track your absentee ballot on your Department of State website. Contact your local elections office for more information. Absentee ballots begin being counted on Election Day.
Requesting and Returning your Vote-by-Mail Ballot
To request a vote-by-mail ballot, you can fill out the online application on your county Supervisors of Elections’ website. You can also request a ballot in writing through the Supervisor of Elections, in person at the Supervisor of Elections or by telephone to the Supervisor of Elections.
All requests for a vote-by-mail ballot must be made no later than 5pm on the 10th day before an election. You can still pick up a vote-by-mail ballot from the Supervisor of Elections up until, or including Election Day.
Vote-by-mail ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections no later than 7pm on Election Day in order to be counted. Ballots can be returned by mail, in person, or at a secure drop box. It’s important to follow all instructions on a vote-by mail ballot to make sure it is counted. You can correct a missing or mismatched signature on your vote-by-mail ballot.
Note: You must renew your mail voting application and submit a form of identification every two years.
How to Vote in Person if Vote-by-Mail Ballot was Requested
A voter who has requested a ballot may still vote in person. The voter should bring the ballot (marked or unmarked) to the polls to turn the ballot in and vote a regular ballot. If the voter does not bring the ballot to the polls for whatever reason, the Supervisor of Elections’ office will need to confirm that the ballot has not already been returned and received. If the ballot has not been received, the voter will be allowed to vote a regular ballot. If the ballot has been received, the ballot is deemed cast and the voter to have voted. If the voter believes the office is incorrect for whatever reason, the voter is allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
