The Registrar of Voters has sent 1.8 million reminder postcards to voters who had not cast a ballot as of Oct. 16 to encourage participation in the Nov. 3 election. Voters have several ways to cast their ballot before Election Day.
Early voting helps ensure ballots are processed quickly and included in the first release of election night results. The Registrar encourages voters to cast their ballot as soon as possible to avoid long lines on Election Day.
Returning Your Mail Ballot
Every active registered voter has received a ballot by mail. Voters can return it in one of three ways:
- By mail, with no postage required.
- At any of the Registrar’s official ballot drop boxes.
- At any vote center.
After marking their selections, voters should:
- Seal the ballot in the postage-paid return envelope.
- Date and sign the envelope. The voter’s signature is required for the ballot to count.
- Return the ballot by mail or drop it off at any of the Registrar’s 150-plus official ballot drop boxes across the county.
Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3 and the Registrar of Voters must receive them no later than seven days after Nov. 3 for them to be counted.
Ballots returned at official drop boxes or vote centers must be dropped by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
Voters can track their ballot — to see when it is mailed, received and counted — through the California Secretary of State’s ballot tracking service.
Vote Centers
Vote centers open in phases to support early voting and reduce wait times.
- Oct. 31: All vote centers open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 3: Final day of voting: All vote centers, official ballot drop boxes and the Registrar’s office are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you plan to vote in person, remember that this election includes a two-card ballot. To save time at the vote center, review your voter information pamphlet ahead of time and mark your selections on the sample ballot. You may bring it to help you transfer your choices to your official ballot using the Ballot Marking Device.
For more information, visit sdvote.com or call 858-565-5800 or toll-free 800-696-0136.
