top of page

Tips for Voting by Mail

MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT! TIPS FOR VOTING BY MAIL 

               

The Registrar of Voters begins mailing ballots to all registered voters 29 days before an election. There is no need to apply for one.  The Registrar will also open voting locations for people who wish to vote in person.  Information about voting locations will be available by 29 days before an election at www.acvote.org  or call  510-272-6973.

 

TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR BALLOT IN THE MAIL 

  • Make sure you are registered  to vote at your current address so you get your ballot in the mail. Register, check your registration, or update it at www.registertovote.ca.gov.

  • The registration deadline is 15 days before an election.  Register to vote well before the deadline to make sure you have time to correct any problems with your registration and can get your ballot in the mail before election day.

 

TIPS FOR VOTING YOUR BALLOT

  • Use a ballpoint pen with black ink. Do not use pencil, highlighter, marker or red ink.  

  • Completely fill in the voting ovals next to your selections for candidates and measures.

  • You don’t have to vote for everything on the ballot, but don’t vote for more candidates than allowed in each contest. Your ballot will state the number of votes allowed.

  • Sign your name in the signature box on your ballot envelope.  Has your signature changed over time?  Re-register to vote and update your signature.

  • Sign your OWN ballot envelope.  Attention voters who live in the same household:  all ballot envelopes look alike.  Sign YOUR Ballot envelope - the one with  YOUR name on it.  

  • If you lose, damage, make a mistake, or don’t receive your ballot, call the Registrar’s Office at 510-272-6973 or go to www.acvote.org to request  a new ballot.  

 

TIPS FOR RETURNING YOUR BALLOT

The deadline to return your ballot is 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.  If you want your votes to be included in the election night results report, return your ballot a week before Election Day.

  • By Mail – mailing is free. No postage necessary. Must be postmarked by Election Day, so mail it before Election Day or take it to the post office and request a postmark.

  • In Person - to any ballot drop box or voting location in the County by 8:00 p.m. 

  • If you are unable to return your ballot,  you can give it to someone you trust to return it for you. That person must sign in a special box on your ballot envelope.

 

TIPS FOR TRACKING YOUR BALLOT

Sign up to  track your ballot and find out if the Registrar received and counted it. See instructions in your ballot packet.

 

Help!  It’s Election Day.  I didn’t register to vote…. I don’t have my ballot…

You can still vote.  Go to the Registrar of Voters Office or any Vote Center in Alameda County open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and you will be able to register and vote

​

Questions?  Contact the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. 1225 Fallon St. Oakland CA  94612. 510-272-6973 www.acvote.org rev.3.29.22

bottom of page