Vote-By-Mail FAQs

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.

To Receive a replacement Ballot by mail please call our office at (209) 468-2890 and we will mail you a replacement ballot.

If you made a mistake on or damaged your ballot, you may also vote at any Polling Location. Bring your Vote-by-Mail Ballot with you to the Polling Location 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 Polling Location

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 45-60 days prior to the date of the election.
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.
When is the last day to return my Vote-by-Mail ballot?

The 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 also deposit it in one of our drop boxes found throughout the County.

24/7 Drop Box Location:
44 N San Joaquin St
Stockton, CA 95202
(next to the Webber street entrance)

 

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.

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:
San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters
44 N San Joaquin St, Suite 350
Stockton, CA 95202

By Mail:
Registrar of Voters Office
PO Box 810
Stockton CA 95201

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.
Updated February 08, 2024