Vote by Mail FAQs

Inquire about the availability of documents in accessible formats.

Register to Vote

My Voter Portal

Current Election

How much time do I have to return by Vote by Mail ballot?

Vote by Mail ballots must be received by the County of Sacramento Voter Registration and Elections Department on or before 8 p.m. on Election Day, or be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by our office within seven (7) days after Election Day.

You may drop off your Vote by Mail ballot at any Vote Center in the County, or ballot drop off location before 8 p.m. Election Day and it will be counted.

What should I do if I think my Vote by Mail ballot will not arrive at the County of Sacramento Voter Registration and Elections Department by the 8 p.m. deadline ?

You may use any of our conveniently located ballot drop off locations throughout the County, or our 24-hour ballot drop off box located at 7000 65th Street, Suite A, Sacramento, CA 95823 up until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Also, you may return your Vote by Mail ballot at any Vote Center between the hours of 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

What should I do if I cannot return my Vote by Mail ballot myself and it is too late to send it in the mail?

You may authorize a relative (spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother or sister) or any person residing in the same household to return your ballot. On the return envelope, you must sign your name and print the name of the person you are authorizing to return your ballot. That person must also sign in the space provided.

If I lose the Vote by Mail ballot sent to me, can I get another one?

Yes. Call the County of Sacramento Voter Registration and Elections Department at (916) 875-6155 and a second ballot will be sent to you.

You may also go to any Vote Center.

I am out of the country and the mail is slow. Can I apply earlier than the normal 29 days?

Yes. Go to this website and follow the directions. You may receive a special Vote by Mail ballot that can be sent out as early as 60 days prior to an election.

If I request a Vote by Mail ballot, can I change my mind and vote at any Vote Center?

Yes. If you have not already cast your ballot for the election, you may visit any Vote Center in the County to obtain a replacement ballot. Your previously issued ballot will be void upon the issuing of your replacement ballot.

What if I forgot to sign my pink return envelope?

If you believe you have forgotten to sign your ballot envelope, please call the Vote by Mail Division at (916) 875-6155 and we will send you a Signature Verification Statement to complete and return. This completed statement will be used to process your unsigned ballot envelope. (EC §3019)

What if my signature does not match the signature on my voter file?

If your signature has changed or does not match the signature(s) on your voter file, your ballot may be challenged. You may check the status of your ballot through My Voter Portal.

If your ballot has been challenged as "No Signature Match," our office will send you a Signature Verification Statement to complete and return. This completed statement will be used to verify the signature on your ballot envelope, allowing us to process it. It will also update the signature on your voter registration file.