Joe Paul Gonzalez

Assembly Bill 1243, which was signed into law in 2007, replaced the terms “absentee ballot” and “absent voter” in state law with “vote-by-mail ballot” and “vote-by-mail voter,” respectively. Furthermore, people who want to register to vote by mail on a regular basis will no longer be referred to by law as “permanent absentee voters” or “PAVs.” Instead, they’ll be known as “permanent vote-by-mail voters” or “PVBMVs.

• Apply to Vote-By-Mail
• The Process of Voting-By-Mail
• Apply for a Vote-By-Mail Ballot
• Processing of your application for Vote-By-Mail Ballot
• Permanent Vote-By-Mail
• Return your Vote-By-Mail Ballot Application to our office
• If you need this form in a different format

Apply to Vote-By-Mail

Registered voters can apply for a vote-by-mail ballot, by mail, for an upcoming election at any time, but not later than seven days prior to the election. Applications must be submitted to the county elections officials no later than the seventh day prior to the election.

Applications received less than seven days prior to the election will be satisfied if time permits.  If less than seven days remain before the election, it is strongly suggested that you deliver the application in person to our office.

The application to vote a vote-by-mail ballot is available as a PDF download by clicking on one of the links below.

The statewide vote-by-mail voter application may be completed by typing your information directly on the online application. Once you have typed in your information, simply print, sign and date the form, and mail it to your our office. DO NOT SEND IT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE.

Apply to Vote-By-Mail (Engllish)
Apply to Vote-By-Mail (Espanol)

The Process of Voting-By-Mail

Any registered voter may vote by vote-by-mail ballot. Rather than go to the polls to cast a ballot on election day, you may apply for an vote-by-mail ballot, which you will need to complete and return to your elections official.

*All valid vote-by-mail ballots are counted in every election in California, regardless of the outcome or closeness of any race. For additional canvass of the vote information please visit the Secretary of State’s web site at www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_oc.htm

Apply for a Vote-By-Mail Ballot

To apply for a vote-by-mail ballot, you may use the application printed on your Sample Ballot, which you will receive prior to every election, or apply in writing to our office. You will need to submit a completed application or letter to our REGISTRAR OF VOTER’S between 29 days and 7 days before the election. The application or letter must contain:

1. your name and residence address as stated on your registration card;
2. the address to which the vote-by-mail ballot should be sent (if different than your registered address);
3. the name and date of the election in which the you would like to vote vote-by-mail; and
4. the date and your signature.

Processing of your application for Vote-By-Mail Ballot

Once your application is processed by our county elections official, the proper ballot type/style will be sent to you. After you have voted, insert your ballot in the envelope provided for this purpose, making sure you complete all required information on the envelope.

You may return your voted vote-by-mail ballot by

1. mailing it to your county elections official;
   • Vote-by-mail ballots that are mailed must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than 3 days after Election Day.  **NOTE:  For the November 3, 2020 election, ballots must be received no later than 17 days after Election Day, but must still be postmarked on or before Election Day.
   • If you are not sure your vote-by-mail ballot will arrive in time if mailed, bring it to any polling place in the state between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
2. returning it in person to a polling place or the office of your county elections official.
   • Vote-by-mail ballots that are personally delivered must be delivered no later than the close of polls at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
3. dropping your ballot into one of your county’s ballot drop boxes; or
   • Vote-by-mail ballots that are personally delivered to a ballot drop-off location must be delivered no later than the close of polls at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
4. authorizing someone to return the ballot on your behalf.

• • 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.

Permanent Vote-By-Mail (PAV)

Any registered voter may apply for permanent Vote-By-Mail voter status. If you are a permanent vote-by-mail voter, you will automatically receive an Vote-By-Mail ballot for each election. To become a permanent Vote-By-Mail voter, you must complete an application, which is available from our offices. See the links above.

If you complete an application to become a permanent Vote-By-Mail voter, you will retain this status as long as you vote in all statewide primary and general elections. If you fail to cast a ballot in two consecutive statewide general elections, you will be removed from the permanent absent voter list and will need to reapply in order to restore status.

Return your Vote-By-Mail Ballot Application to our office

Do not return Vote-By-Mail Ballot Applications to the Secretary of State’s office.  Applications must be returned to the elections official of the county in which the applicant resides.

If you need this form in a different format

If you need this form in a different format, please contact the Secretary of State’s Voter Services Unit.