Registered voters will receive their ballots for the Nov. 3 General Election starting the week of Monday, Oct. 5. Some voters may receive their ballot over the weekend.
This election’s ballot card has two pages, front and back. Voters can choose which contests to vote on.
Returning Your Mail Ballot
Every active registered voter will receive a ballot by mail and can return it in one of three ways:
- By mail, with no postage required
- At any of the Registrar’s official ballot drop boxes starting Oct. 4
- At any vote center starting Oct. 24
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 to ensure the ballots counts.
- Return the ballot by mail or drop it off at any of the Registrar’s more than 150 official ballot drop boxes around the county.
Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3. The Registrar of Voters must receive mailed ballots 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 know when it is mailed, received and counted by signing up for the California Secretary of States ballot tracking service.
What’s in the Official Ballot Packet?
The official ballot packet will include voting instructions, a two-card ballot and an “I Voted” sticker. Additional information, including candidate statements, official ballot drop box locations and vote centers, is available in the voter information pamphlet.
What Do Official Ballot Drop Boxes Look Like?
The Registrar of Voters’ official ballot drop boxes are red, white and blue and feature the Registrar’s logo along with the County seal. All boxes are labeled “Official Ballot Drop Box.”
Each official ballot drop box is made from high-grade, heavy-gauge stainless steel to prevent physical damage and unauthorized access. Security features include:
- Double-locking access doors
- Anti-pry door jambs
- A fire suppression system
Only the Registrar’s ballot retrieval team collects the ballots from these boxes.
Registrar of Voters Office
In-person voting begins Monday, Oct. 5, at the Registrar of Voters office at 5600 Overland Ave. in Kearney Mesa. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Vote Centers
Vote centers open in phases to support early voting and reduce wait times.
- Oct. 24: Select vote centers open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 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.
