How to return your ballot

Sign and date the envelope

Remove the top stub from your ballot by tearing at the perforated line.
Place the ballot in the enclosed return envelope provided.
Write the address where you live in Santa Cruz County on the envelope in the space provided.

Sign your name on the envelope. If you do not sign your envelope, we cannot count your ballot. 
If you cannot sign your name, make a mark and have a witness sign on the line provided.
Do not let someone else sign your name for you. We will compare the signature on the envelope to the signatures we have on file for you to ensure it is your ballot. If your signature does not compare, we will contact you so you can correct your signature.

Write the date you signed the envelope. And provide a phone number or email where we can contact you if there is any problem.

If you enlist the help of someone you trust to return your ballot, have them print their name, sign their name, and write their relationship to you in the space provided on the ballot return envelope.

Return your voted ballot

1. Drop it off at one of the 24-hour ballot drop boxes by 8pm on Election Day

2. Drop it off at one of our inside ballot drop boxes.

3. Return it in person to a voting location. 

4. Mail it so it is postmarked on or before Election Day, November 3. Ballot return envelopes are postage paid. Ballots postmarked on or before November 3 and received 17 days after the election (November 20) will be considered received on time. If you are mailing it close to November 3, we suggest you walk it into the post office and have a postal clerk postmark the envelope.