Reporting by Daniella Segura, USA Today Network/Palm Springs Desert Sun
California’s midterm election is just weeks away, and registered voters should have received their ballots in their mailboxes earlier this month.
But what if you never received your ballot for California’s election, or it’s lost or damaged? Here’s what you need to know.
What to do if you’ve lost your ballot or it’s damaged
If you do not receive your ballot in the mail, or your original ballot was lost or damaged, you may apply for a replacement ballot.
You must complete a replacement ballot application, which you can find online here. After you complete the application, return it to your county elections office. You can find a list of those offices, along with their contact information, on the California Secretary of State’s website.
Many county elections offices also offer the replacement ballot application online, such as the Orange County Registrar of Voters, San Diego County Registrar of Voters, and County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters.
When is the last day to request a replacement vote-by-mail ballot?
The last day to request a replacement vote-by-mail ballot to be delivered in time for the Nov. 3 election is Tuesday, Oct. 27, according to multiple county election offices.
After that date, you must go to a vote center in the county where you are registered to request a replacement ballot.
How to return a ballot for the general election
Once you have filled out your ballot, you can return it by mail, drop box, or in person at a dedicated voting center.
If you vote by mail, it must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3. If you mail your ballot on Election Day, officials recommend getting a manual postmark from a postal worker inside a United States Post Office. County elections officials must receive your ballot no later than Nov. 10.
You can return your ballot in person at your county elections office or at any polling or ballot drop-off location by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
To find your nearest drop box, you can visit caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov to find your nearest drop box, polling place or vote center location.
How to vote in person on Election Day
To vote in person on Election Day, go to your designated polling place on Nov. 3 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Your Voter Information Guide, mailed to you by your county elections official, will include your polling place. You can also find your polling place on the California Secretary of State’s website or by calling: (800) 345-VOTE (8683).
How to track your November ballot for California’s election
You can track your ballot’s status using the state’s Where’s My Ballot tracking tool.
The service, powered by BallotTrax, lets voters see when their vote‑by‑mail ballot is mailed, received and counted. It also allows you to sign up for automatic email, SMS (text), or voice call notifications about your ballot’s status.
The updates include:
- When a ballot has been delivered
- The date that a voter’s ballot is expected to be delivered to the voter
- If a voter’s ballot is returned as undeliverable to the county elections official by the USPS
- When a voter’s completed ballot has been received by the county
- Whether a voter’s completed ballot has been accepted, or the reason why the ballot could not be accepted, and instructions on the steps the voter can take in order to have the ballot accepted
- The deadline for a voter to return his or her ballot if the county has not received a voter’s completed ballot by the specified dates, as determined by the county elections official
You can also limit the hours during which messages can be sent and choose from 10 language preferences.
Voters can sign up for the service by visiting the BallotTrax website.
When is California’s general election?
California’s general election, where voters will choose the state’s next governor, select candidates for a slate of other statewide offices, and decide on 14 ballot measures, will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
According to state officials, the last day to register to vote for California’s general election was Monday, Oct. 19, but eligible voters who have missed the deadline can opt for same-day voter registration, also known as conditional voter registration.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun.
Related: California ballot drop boxes are open. Here’s how to find one
