SERVICE
Vote by mail
We now mail a ballot to every local voter in every election. Voting by mail is convenient and secure.
What to know
The last day to register to vote and receive a ballot by mail is October 21.
You can still register and vote after this deadline, but you will need to do so in person.
What to do
Supporting information
Receiving your ballot
Your vote-by-mail ballot packet will include:
- Ballot cards
- A postage-paid return envelope
- Voting instructions
- An “I Voted” sticker
To ensure we send the correct ballot to the correct address, log into the Voter Status Tool to confirm both your home and mailing addresses are correct.
You must be a registered voter by October 21 to receive a ballot packet in the mail for the November 5 election. If you miss the deadline, you can still vote in person.
Make sure we can count your ballot
You must sign the ballot return envelope and return your ballot by Election Day, by mail or in person.
View ways to return your ballot
We encourage you to track your ballot via the Voter Portal. You can also sign up for email, text, or voice call notifications.
You can request a replacement ballot
If you do not receive, lose, damage, or mismark your original ballot, you can request a replacement. Contact us or log into the Voter Portal at least 7 days before Election Day to make your request. You can also choose to vote in person.
If, after we mail your ballot, you update your address or your party or language preference, we will mail you a replacement.
You can download an accessible ballot
Any voter can get a ballot using the accessible vote-by-mail system. You can use a screen-reader, head-pointer, sip and puff, or another device to mark your ballot.
The system opens to all San Francisco voters starting 29 days before Election Day. Follow these steps to use the system:
Step 1: Log in to the accessible vote-by-mail system and review the instructions.
Step 2: Mark and review your ballot, using a mouse, keyboard, or assistive device.
Step 3: Print your marked ballot or save it as a PDF file to print out later.
Step 4: Prepare your accessible ballot return envelope. You can either:
- Use the official return envelope you received in your ballot packet, OR
- Use 2 regular envelopes, following the instructions provided online.
Step 5: Return your accessible ballot printout in person or by mail.
For security, the accessible ballot system does not store or transmit votes over the internet. Voters must return accessible ballot printouts by Election Day.
Get help
City Hall, Room 48
San Francisco, CA 94102
Get directions
Partner agencies
What to know
The last day to register to vote and receive a ballot by mail is October 21.
You can still register and vote after this deadline, but you will need to do so in person.
What to do
Supporting information
Receiving your ballot
Your vote-by-mail ballot packet will include:
- Ballot cards
- A postage-paid return envelope
- Voting instructions
- An “I Voted” sticker
To ensure we send the correct ballot to the correct address, log into the Voter Status Tool to confirm both your home and mailing addresses are correct.
You must be a registered voter by October 21 to receive a ballot packet in the mail for the November 5 election. If you miss the deadline, you can still vote in person.
Make sure we can count your ballot
You must sign the ballot return envelope and return your ballot by Election Day, by mail or in person.
View ways to return your ballot
We encourage you to track your ballot via the Voter Portal. You can also sign up for email, text, or voice call notifications.
You can request a replacement ballot
If you do not receive, lose, damage, or mismark your original ballot, you can request a replacement. Contact us or log into the Voter Portal at least 7 days before Election Day to make your request. You can also choose to vote in person.
If, after we mail your ballot, you update your address or your party or language preference, we will mail you a replacement.
You can download an accessible ballot
Any voter can get a ballot using the accessible vote-by-mail system. You can use a screen-reader, head-pointer, sip and puff, or another device to mark your ballot.
The system opens to all San Francisco voters starting 29 days before Election Day. Follow these steps to use the system:
Step 1: Log in to the accessible vote-by-mail system and review the instructions.
Step 2: Mark and review your ballot, using a mouse, keyboard, or assistive device.
Step 3: Print your marked ballot or save it as a PDF file to print out later.
Step 4: Prepare your accessible ballot return envelope. You can either:
- Use the official return envelope you received in your ballot packet, OR
- Use 2 regular envelopes, following the instructions provided online.
Step 5: Return your accessible ballot printout in person or by mail.
For security, the accessible ballot system does not store or transmit votes over the internet. Voters must return accessible ballot printouts by Election Day.
Get help
City Hall, Room 48
San Francisco, CA 94102
Get directions