Vote by Mail Information

Due to a change in law, every active registered voter will receive a ballot by mail. There is no need to complete a vote by mail application. Ballots will begin mailing no later than 29 days prior to Election Day.  Delivery times may vary between 3-10 days. If you need a replacement ballot mailed to you, the last day to request the ballot is seven (7) days before Election Day. 

Take action to be vote ready:

• Check that your mailing address is current. 

• If you will be away from home during a mailing period, call the elections office to provide a seasonal address.

• Sign up to track your ballot from delivery to return at https://wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov

Application to Provide Vote by Mail Ballot to Representative

If you need a second vote by mail ballot, you may apply in writing for a vote by mail ballot to be provided to your representative. This application must be provided in person to the Monterey County Elections office by your representative. (Elec. Code, § 3014(b).)

Once you mark your ballot, fill out and sign the return envelope, you can personally or through your authorized representative, return your ballot to any official drop-box, elections office, or voting location in the State of California.

Application to provide to vote by mail ballot to representative 

Accessible Vote by Mail Option

All voters with or without a disability who require assistance from a screen reader or other technology to read and/or to mark their ballot, can access their ballot via a secure portal. Their ballot can be read by the technology of their choice and marked on their home marking device. Voters will still have to print the ballot and return the ballot by mail or in person. Voters will not be able to print blank ballots. A marked ballot must still be accompanied by a signed voter oath in an official envelope to be counted. Only one ballot will be accepted per registered voter upon verification of the voter’s signature and voter information. For more information, please call (831) 796-1499 or toll-free (866) 887-9274.

Return Your Ballot

By mail -- Postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the Tuesday following the Election. Return postage is paid. Only those ballots received by the deadline may be counted. Voters should take into consideration the delivery times which vary from 3 to 10 days. If returning the week of the election, voters may want to consider returning the ballot in person. 

In person -- To any official voting location or designated return center in California by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. A 24-hour mail ballot return box is available at the Monterey County Government Center at Schilling Place, 1441 Schilling Place in Salinas. 

Drop Box Locations -- During an election, a list of our Drop Boxes for an election will be listed here.

Military and Overseas Voters

Request a Replacement Ballot

If you failed to receive your vote by mail ballot or if you have lost or destroyed your original vote by mail ballot, you may apply in writing for a replacement vote by mail ballot or call the Elections office for a replacement (831) 796-1499 or toll-free (866) 887-9274. (Elec. Code, § 3014(a).)

Replacement Vote by Mail (VBM) Ballot Application

If you make a mistake on your vote by mail ballot, you can request a replacement ballot or make the correction on your ballot. In order to preserve anonymity, if you choose to make a correction on the ballot, please do not initial or sign your name on the actual ballot.

You can also return the ballot in person directly to the Elections office or to your assigned polling place on Election Day. If you do not bring your vote by mail ballot with you to the polling place or if you go to a location other than your assigned polling place you will be asked to vote a provisional ballot. In addition, by voting at a polling place other than your assigned location, you risk voting a ballot that does not have all the contests that will be at your assigned location.

Request a Cross-Over Ballot – No Party Preference Voters
(Presidential Primary)

To vote for president in a primary, No Party Preference (Nonpartisan) voters have two options.

Option 1: Request a cross-over ballot.
This option is only available if allowed by the party. This option will not affect the voter’s nonpartisan status. The parties that allow cross-over voting include the American Independent Party, Democratic Party, and Libertarian Party.

Request a cross-over ballot online at this link:
No Party Preference Cross-Over Ballot Notice and Application

Other ways to request a cross-over ballot:

• Return your nonpartisan cross-over ballot request card via regular mail.

• Email the scanned image of your nonpartisan cross-over card to vbm@co.monterey.ca.us.

• Call (831) 796-1499 or toll-free (866) 887-9274 to make your request over the phone.

• In person at the Monterey County Elections office, 1441 Schilling Place – North Building, Salinas, CA 93901.

• At your assigned polling place, bring your mailed nonpartisan ballot to surrender to poll workers.

Option 2: Re-register with the political party.
This is the only option available if the party does not allow cross-over voting for the presidential primary. Re-register at www.registertovote.ca.gov. The parties that require voters to be registered with their party to vote in their presidential contest include the Green Party, Peace and Freedom Party, and Republican Party.

Option 3. Take No Action. 
Your ballot will not include a presidential contest, but it will include all other applicable contests.

NOTE: In addition to the partisan presidential contest, the requested ballot will include all voter nominated and local nonpartisan contests in the election. These voter nominated and local nonpartisan contests are the same that are included on the nonpartisan ballot.

What To Do if You Forgot to Sign Your Vote-by-Mail Ballot Envelope

You may have received notice that you did not sign your vote-by-mail envelope when you returned it. Obtain the form here to provide your signature.

What To Do if Your Signature on Your Vote-by-Mail Envelope Did Not Match Your Signature on File

You may have received notice that your signature on your vote-by-mail envelope did not match your signature on file. Obtain the form here to provide a matching signature.