How to Vote by Mail

Your Ballot Will Automatically be Mailed to You

For elections called in 2021, all registered voters will automatically be sent a ballot in the mail beginning 29 days prior to the election. No application is required. To make sure that you mailing address is current, you can check your registration information.

Mark your Ballot

1.  Mark your ballot

• Mark your ballot using a dark ballpoint pen.
• To vote for a candidate, completely fill in the oval next to your choice.
• To vote on any measure, completely fill in the oval next to the word Yes or the word No.
• If you make a mistake, you can request a replacement ballot by contacting the elections office.

2. Review your ballot

• If you vote for more candidates than allowed or if you vote both Yes and No on a measure, your vote will not count for that candidate or measure.
• You do not have to vote on all contests. Those you do vote on will still count.
• Check both sides of your ballot for voting contests.

3. Sign and seal your ballot

• After you have finished voting, complete the information on the return envelope. This includes your physical address (not a PO Box) and signature.
• Important! Sign the return envelope or your ballot cannot be counted. 

Make your vote count!

Avoid the most common reasons vote by mail ballots are rejected.
Missing signatures: Sign your return envelope to makes sure your vote by mail ballot counts.
Mismatched signatures: Voter’s signature must look similar to the signature on the voter’s registration card. If you can’t remember how you signed your registration card, or if your signature has changed, re-register now to update your file. Request a new registration card by calling the Elections Department at 760-878-0224 or follow the instructions on our website https://elections.inyocounty.us

Return your Ballot

You have several options to return your ballot to the elections department:

• You can mail your ballot to the elections offices, no later than September 14th. The postage is pre-paid with first class postage.
• You can drop your ballot off at any Ballot Drop Box location or you may return it directly to the Elections Office in Historic Courthouse in Independence beginning on August 16th, through 8:00 pm on September 14th.
• You can drop your ballot off at any polling location on from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm on September 14th.
• You can use any private delivery service to mail your ballot to the elections office, as long as it mailed by September 14th.

To request a Spanish translation of your ballot when voting by mail, please contact the elections office at 760-878-0224. Para solicitar una traduccion en Espanol de su boleta al votar por correo, favor de communicarse con la oficina de Elecciones al 760-878-0224.

Track your ballot

Tracking your vote-by-mail ballot—when it is mailed, received, and counted—has never been easier. 
Sign-up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to receive automatic email, SMS (text), or voice call notifications about your ballot. 

Note: This tracking system will only confirm receipt of mailed ballots. To receive information about whether the ballot you cast in person was counted, please contact the elections office.

After you return your ballot

When your ballot is received, your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card. You will be contacted by the elections department if there are any issues that would prevent your ballot from being counted. 

Your ballot will then be separated from the envelope to protect your privacy.

All valid ballots are counted in every election in California, regardless of the outcome or closeness of any race.

If you receive notification that your signature does not match the signature does not match the signature on your voter registration card, or that you forgot to sign your ballot envelope, your vote can still count. Download, complete and return the unsigned ballot envelope verification letter or the mismatch signature verification letter as soon as possible, but no later than October 12, 2021.