Vote-By-Mail
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 "PVBM voters."
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.
The application to vote a vote-by-mail ballot is available as a PDF download by clicking on one of the links below.
The English version of 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 county elections office. DO NOT SEND IT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.
For statewide forms other than English, please print the form, fill out and sign and date the application using a pen, and mail it to your county elections office.
The Process of Voting By Mail
Any registered voter may vote using a vote by mail ballot instead of going to the polls to cast a ballot on Election Day.
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 our web site at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_oc.htm.
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 your county elections official. You will need to submit a completed application or letter to your county elections official 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 by mail; and 4) the date and your signature.
Once your application is processed by your county elections official, the proper ballot 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; 2) returning it in person to a polling place or elections office within your county on Election Day; or 3) authorizing a legally-allowable third party (relative or person residing in the same household as you) to return the ballot on your behalf. Regardless of how the ballot is returned, it MUST be received by the county elections office by the time polls close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Late-arriving vote-by-mail ballots are not counted.
Once your vote by mail ballot is received by your county elections official, your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to determine whether you are the authorized voter. To preserve the secrecy of your ballot, the ballot will then be separated from the envelope and the ballot becomes as anonymous and secret as any other ballot.
For more information on vote-by-mail voting, please view our Guide to Vote-By-Mail Voting. The Guide to Vote-By-Mail Voting in California is currently being revised. We anticipate the revised version to be available on our website soon.
Permanent Vote-By-Mail (PVBM) Voting
Any registered voter may apply for permanent vote-by-mail (PVBM) voter status. If you are a PVBM voter, you will automatically receive a vote-by-mail ballot for each election. To become a PVBM voter, you must complete an application, which is available from your county elections official.
If you complete an application to become a PVBM 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 PVBM voter list and will need to reapply in order to restore your status.
