This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all registered voters in California will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 3, 2020 General Election. Though all voters will have an opportunity to vote by mail in November, there will also be in-person voting locations for those who prefer voting at a polling place.
If you’re already a permanent vote-by-mail voter, nothing will change for you. You will still receive your ballot in your mailbox and be able to turn it in via mail, at your County Registrar of Voters, at a designated mail ballot drop-off site, or at an in-person polling place. If you normally vote in-person, you will have the opportunity to vote by mail this November. There will also be limited in-person voting sites located throughout your County.
How does mail voting work?
Voting by mail is easy, efficient, and will allow us to vote from the safety of our homes. Mail ballots will be sent to the address you registered to vote from in early October. Once you fill out your ballot, you will have several options to turn it in:
- You can send in your ballot by mail. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before November 3, 2020. No stamps are required to mail in your ballot. Make sure to date and sign your ballot so that it is counted.
- If you're mailing your ballot and want it to be counted by Election Day, make sure to allow extra time (about two weeks) for it to be received.
- We recommend you mail your completed ballot within one to two weeks after you receive it to ensure your vote will be counted by Election Day.
- You can also drop off your ballot at a designated mail ballot drop-off site. Make sure to check in with your County Registrar for locations or check out our website planned.org/vote2020 often. We will update our website with drop-off locations as soon as they’re confirmed.
- Your ballot can also be dropped off at your County Registrar of Voters until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3.
- Lastly, you can turn in your ballot at any polling location in your county until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3.
How will I know if my mail ballot is received?
Sending in your mail ballot is very safe. This year, you can sign up to receive alerts as your mail ballot is processed. To sign up to track when your ballot is mailed, received, and counted, go here: https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/
Can I still vote in-person?
- Yes! Many counties in California are offering early-voting sites throughout your county before November 3. To find a list of in-person voting locations, check in with your County Registrar or check out our website planned.org/vote2020 often. We will update our website with drop-off locations as soon as they’re confirmed.
How can I contact my County Registrar of Voters?
Check out your County Registrar’s website here:
- San Diego: https://www.sdvote.com/
- Riverside: https://www.voteinfo.net/
- Imperial: https://elections.imperialcounty.org/
This year, you will be able to vote from anywhere! Even if you’re not at the polling location you are normally assigned to on Election Day, you can go up to any polling location in your county, and you will be handed a ballot for your region. This means that you can vote near where you work, vote with a family member that doesn’t live in your household, etc., and still be able to vote for the candidates specific to your home address. Polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, until 8:00 p.m. Remember, as long as you’re in line by 8:00 p.m., they must extend the deadline and let you vote!
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Tags: voting