Voting is an essential right and privilege for American citizens, yet vulnerable individuals like many of Catholic Charities clients - seniors, adults with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, immigrants, and those for whom English is a second language - often experience challenges registering to vote and casting their ballot. 

To protect the right to vote and public health in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of California is automatically mailing a ballot to every registered, active voter ahead of the November 3, 2020 General Election. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day.

Ways to Vote

1. Vote by Mail

All registered voters: expect to receive in the mail an official ballot with postage-paid return envelope sometime in early October. Local county elections officials encourage voting by mail to protect everyone’s health, avoid crowds and long lines at polling places. 

The earlier a ballot is mailed back the better as it increases the likelihood that your ballot will be included in the Election Night posted result counts. Vote-by-mail ballots are processed as they are received in the mail.  

After you have marked your ballot and sealed it in the return envelope, remember to SIGN AND DATE the back of the envelope as indicated.

How to send in your ballot:

• Mail your marked ballot with enough time to be post marked on or before Election Day; or

• Drop off your ballot at your local Elections Department or at a polling place or drop box in your county listed to the right

CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION STATUS HERE

Make sure your address is correct – if you need to update your registration information, check with your local elections department to the right.

If you’re not registered to vote…

REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE NOW!

Register to vote now before the October 19, 2020 deadline. Online registration is available in English, Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese

TRACK YOUR BALLOT HERE

Track when your ballot is mailed, received, and counted.

2. Use Remote Accessible

Vote-By-Mail (AVBM) System

All registered voters in California have the option of using their computer or tablet to access their ballot to download, print, and mark. Return your ballot using the official ballot return envelope you received with your original ballot. Remember to complete all sections of the return envelope and sign it. The AVBM system is compatible with personal assistive devices such as screen readers, head-pointers, and sip and puffs to assist voters with disabilities such as visual or physical impairments. See county-specific remote accessible guidelines to the right 

3. Vote at Your Voting Center or Polling Place On Election Day

See specific information to the right for San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo Counties.

4. Same Day Voter Registration

Same Day Voter Registration, known as Conditional Voter Registration in state law, is a safety net for Californians who miss the deadline to register to vote or update their voter registration information for an election. Click here for more information.