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California absentee ballot deadlines

Request deadlines

  • In Person: If you need to change where your ballot is mailed, your application should be received by the 7th day before Election Day.
  • By Mail: If you need to change where your ballot is mailed, your application should be received by the 7th day before Election Day.
  • Online: N/A

Ballot deadlines

  • Voted ballots are due: Postmarked by Election Day and received no later than 7 days after the Election.

California absentee ballot rules

Absentee ballots will automatically be sent to all registered voters. If you need your ballot sent somewhere other than your usual address, contact your local election official at least one month before the election so you have time to receive the ballot.

California absentee ballot directions

  1. Use our Absentee Ballot Tool to prepare your application.
  2. Sign and date the form. This is very important!
  3. Return your completed application to your Local Election Office as soon as possible. We'll provide the mailing address for you.
  4. All Local Election Offices will accept mailed or hand-delivered forms. If it's close to the deadline, call and see if your Local Election Office will let you fax or email the application.
  5. Double-check the deadlines and be sure to cast your voted ballot on time to be sure it is counted.
  6. Please contact your Local Election Office if you have any further questions about the exact process.

Tracking your ballot

You can track your ballot directly with your state.

Once you receive your ballot...

  1. Once you receive the ballot, carefully read and follow the instructions.
  2. Sign and date where indicated.
  3. Either mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope; personally drop your ballot at drop box; or bring your ballot to a polling place.
  4. Double-check the deadlines to be sure to cast your voted ballot on time to be sure it is counted; your ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day or returned to a drop box or polling place by 8:00 P.M. on Election Day.

Offsite links

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