| Who can apply for Permanent Vote-by-Mail? | Effective January 1, 2002, California's Election Law allows any registered voter to become a Permanent Vote-by-Mail Voter (Chapter 922, AB 1520, 2001 Statutes). |
| When can I apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot? |
You can apply as early as 60 days prior to an election. Except for overseas ballots, Vote-by-Mail ballots are mailed to applicants beginning 29 days prior to an election. The last day to request a vote-by-Mail ballot be mailed to you is seven days prior to an election. During the final 6 days prior to an election, if you become ill, disabled or find that you will be away from your polling place on election day; you may vote an emergency Vote-by-Mail ballot. You can vote in person at the Registrar of Voters office or have another authorized person pick up your ballot with a written/signed request for a Vote-by-Mail ballot. |
| How can I apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot? |
Complete the Online Vote-by-Mail Application. Complete the Vote-by-Mail ballot application that is located on the back cover of your sample ballot booklet and mail or fax to our office. Download and print the Vote-by-Mail Application, complete, sign, and return to us by mail, fax, or email. In Person: By Mail: By Fax: (209) 468-9534 By Email: vbm@sjgov.org |
| What if I have not received my Vote-by-Mail Ballot? | If you have applied for a Vote-by-Mail ballot and have not received your ballot two weeks before the election, please call our office at (209) 468-2890 to request a replacement ballot. |
| I spoiled, damaged, or misplaced my ballot. Can I get another one? |
Yes, By law, you can receive a total of 2 replacement ballots. If you made a mistake on or damaged your ballot, you may also vote at any Voter Service Center. Bring your Vote-by-Mail Ballot with you to a Voter Service Center to avoid having to vote a provisional ballot. If you lost, misplaced, or never received your ballot you may also request a ballot at any Voter Service Center. |
| Because of illness or other physical disability, I am unable to return my Vote-by-Mail ballot myself. What are my options? | Anyone may return your ballot for you, as long as they do not get paid on a per ballot basis. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must fill out the authorization section found on the outside of your ballot envelope. |
| I am disabled and must Vote-by-Mail. Do I have to apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot for each election? | No, once you have applied for Permanent Vote-by-Mail status, you will no longer have to apply for each election. A ballot will automatically be mailed to you. |
| My child is a way at school. Can I pick up their ballot? | You may pick up their ballot with a signed request from your son or daughter authorizing you to do so. |
| I am a U.S. citizen living temporarily (military service, employment or study program) outside the United States. Am I eligible to vote? |
Yes, you must complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and return it to our office. You may obtain an application from any Registrar of Voters office, Voting Assistance office of any military base, any American Embassy or Consulate or via the web at: http://fvap.gov/. You must notify our office of any changes in your mailing address. |
| I am out of the country and the mail is slow. Can I apply to vote by mail early? | The San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters Office will send Vote-by-Mail ballots to overseas civilians and members of the military 60-45 days prior to the date of the election - if we receive their request prior. |
| When are the overseas ballots mailed? | Overseas ballots can be mailed 60 days prior to the date of the election. If you are an overseas voter and have not received your ballot 4 weeks before the election, please contact our office for a replacement. You may contact us by phone (209) 468-2890, fax (209) 468-9534, or email: vbm@sjgov.org. |
| If I request a Vote-by-Mail ballot, can I change my mind and vote at my regular polling place? | For the November 3, 2020 Presidential General Election, all traditional polling places will be replaced with Voter Service Centers. At these centers you will be able to request a duplicate ballot to take with you, vote on an accessible TouchWriter or vote a paper ballot in person. |
| When is the last day to return my Vote-by-Mail ballot? |
A new law allows Vote-by-Mail ballots to be accepted if they are POSTMARKED on or before Election Day and delivered to the Elections Office by the USPS or “other mail” carrier, no later than seven(7) business days after the election. You may drop your ballot off using our Drop Box any time before 8:00 PM on Election Day. Our Drop Box is located outside of the County Administration Building, by the entrance. You may drop your ballot off a one of our Voter Service Centers before 8:00 PM on Election Day. 24/7 Drop Box Location:44 N San Joaquin St Stockton, CA 95202 (next to the Webber street entrance)
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| I lost my envelope for my Vote-by-Mail ballot, how can I send in my ballot? |
Please use a plain envelope and write the following: your name, residence address, signature and “I declare under penalty of perjury that: I am a resident of the precinct in San Joaquin County, California, from which I am voting; I am the person whose name appears on this envelope; I have not applied for and do not intend to apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot from any other jurisdiction for this election. Place your voted ballot in the envelope with your information and place in a separate outgoing envelope addressed to our office: PO Box 810, Stockton CA 95201 |
| What if I forget to sign my Vote-by-Mail ballot envelope? |
If your Vote-by-Mail ballot is POSTMARKED on or before Election Day AND we receive your Vote-by-Mail ballot within seven(7) business days following the election, we will mail you a correspondence entitled “Unsigned Ballot Envelope Statement”. You have until two days before the election is certified to complete, sign, and return the statement OR you may come into our office and sign your original Vote-by-Mail ballot envelope. You may use one of the following options to sign your original Vote-by-Mail Envelope or drop off your signed statement: In Person: You may come to our office Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM to SIGN your original Vote-by-Mail ballot envelope or return the signed statement. This must be done before 5:00 pm two days before the election is certified. Drop off your signed statement using our Drop Box. You may drop off your signed statement using our Drop Box. This must be done before 5:00 PM two days before the election is certified. Our Drop Box is located outside of the County Administration Building, next to the entrance. By Mail: You may mail in your signed statement. Your statement must be received at our office before 5:00 PM two days before the election is certified. Postmarks will not count. By Fax: You may fax in your signed statement. Your statement must be received before 5:00 PM two days before the election is certified. By Email: You may scan and email your signed statement. This must be done before 5:00 PM two days before the election is certified. In Person: Drop Box Location: By Mail: By Fax: (209) 468-9534 By Email: vbm@sjgov.org |
| I’ve mailed my Vote-by-Mail ballot. How can I confirm you have received it? | You can check the status of your Vote-by-Mail ballot for the current election by visiting My Voter Status or calling our office at (209) 468-2890. |
| How do I remove my name from the Permanent Vote-by-Mail list? |
You may remove your permanent vote-by-mail status by calling, faxing, or emailing our office. Please provide your name, address, date of birth and a statement that you are requesting to be removed from the Permanent Vote-by-Mail list. By Phone: (209) 468-VOTE (8683) By Fax: (209) 468-9534 By Email: vbm@sjgov.org By Mail: |