Vote-by-Mail Ballots on the Way to All Registered California Voters

Dear Californian,

Voting begins in California today! All active registered California voters are being sent a vote-by-mail ballot with a prepaid, first-class postage return envelope for the November 8, 2022, General Election. In-person early voting is also now available at every county election office.

Tips for Returning Your Ballot

Voters have several safe, secure, and reliable options for returning their ballot.

• Mail:
  • Every vote-by-mail ballot comes with a first-class prepaid postage return envelope.
  • Before returning your ballot, you must remember to sign and date the return envelope provided with your vote-by-mail ballot.
  • Ballots that are returned by mail must be postmarked on or before November 8, 2022, Election Day, and received by county elections officials no later than 7 days after the election.
• Secure Drop Boxes:
  • All counties offer secure drop boxes to return vote-by-mail ballots. You can drop off your ballot at any polling place, vote center, or your county elections office through Election Day. Find drop box locations at sos.ca.gov 
• In-Person
  • Voting locations will offer voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines, and language assistance. One or more voting locations in many counties will be open prior to Election Day. Voters can find a nearby drop box or early voting location at sos.ca.gov

Track Your Vote-by-Mail Ballot: The Secretary of State’s “Where’s My Ballot?” tracking tool is available statewide. All California voters can now sign-up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to receive automated notifications about their vote-by-mail ballots by email, text (SMS), or voice call.

Update your Status: Voters should update their status if they have moved their residence or have changed their name or party affiliation, or they wish to change their language preference. If you’re not sure of your registration status, visit the Secretary of State’s My Voter Status tool at: VoterStatus.sos.ca.gov.

Official Voter Information Guide: The Voter Information Guide can help you make decisions about the candidates and issues on the statewide ballot for the November 8, 2022, General Election. In addition to information about how to cast your ballot, this guide includes statewide candidate statements, information about state propositions, and your rights as a California voter. The Guide is published in Chinese, English, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese.  

California Secretary of State

California Secretary of State · 1500 11th Street · Sacramento, CA 95814 · (916) 653-6814