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"slug": "what-is-californias-jungle-primary-and-why-does-it-matter-so-much-for-the-governors-race",
"title": "What Is California's ‘Jungle Primary’ — and Why Does It Matter so Much for the Governor’s Race?",
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"content": "\u003cp>In California’s upcoming \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\">June primary election\u003c/a>, you’ll have the opportunity to cast your ballot for any of the candidates for governor, regardless of which party you’re registered with. The top two vote-getters advance to the general election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Known as a “jungle primary,” this system is different from how most states handle their primary elections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year,\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12075174/democratic-candidates-for-california-governor-defy-pressure-to-end-campaigns\"> Democrats raised the alarm\u003c/a> that two Republican gubernatorial candidates may move to the general election, locking out Democrats despite outnumbering Republican registered voters almost two to one. That’s because the crowded field of Democratic candidates threatens to split the party’s vote. Until recently, multiple polls have shown the two Republicans, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, polling at the top of the race.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Driven in part by these concerns, critics of the top-two primary have now filed a ballot initiative that would repeal this system and return California to party-based primaries, potentially as early as 2030.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But how does this top-two arrangement work? Why does California do things this way? And what are the chances of voters choosing between two GOP candidates for governor in November?\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How does California’s top-two primary system work?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In a traditional closed primary, such as in presidential races, voters can only choose among candidates from their own party: That is, say, registered Democrats could only vote for Democratic candidates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But in a top-two primary, all candidates from all parties appear on a single ballot open to any registered voter. The two candidates with the most votes in that primary then move on to the general election, even if they’re from the same party.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12070752\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12070752\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2255038550-scaled-e1775501165458.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1586\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Candidates for California’s next governor listen to a question from a union worker during the 2026 Gubernatorial Candidate Forum in Los Angeles on Jan. 10, 2026. \u003ccite>(Christina House/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Kim Alexander, president and founder of the California Voter Foundation, said this is an even bigger concern for third parties in the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“One of the unfortunate byproducts” of California’s jungle primary system, Alexander said, is how “it’s really shut out a lot of minor parties from the general election and they run the risk of being kicked off the ballot altogether.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Because if you don’t have candidates appearing on ballots at a certain pace, then you can’t remain an official party,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Does this really mean Californians might not get a Republican vs. Democrat race for governor in November?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>That’s correct: Under the top-two primary system, the November contest could be an intraparty fight.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That scenario has worried many California Democrats. With seven top Democrats crowding the field, there’s a risk of fracturing their party’s vote. Meanwhile, if enough Republican voters back both Hilton and Bianco to push them both into the top two, California could be locked into an all-Republican general election for governor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12081068\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12081068\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/FTP_9P3A3287_1_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/FTP_9P3A3287_1_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/FTP_9P3A3287_1_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/FTP_9P3A3287_1_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Steve Hilton, Republican gubernatorial candidate for California, left, and Tom Steyer, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for California, fist-bump prior to a gubernatorial debate at KRON Studios in San Francisco, California, on April 22, 2026. California will hold its primary election on June 2, where the top two finishers advance to the general election in November regardless of party affiliation. \u003ccite>(Jason Henry/Nexstar via Bloomberg)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In March, state Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks urged politicians in his party to take a hard look at the viability of their campaigns and drop out before the filing deadline.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“California’s leadership on the world stage is significantly harder if a Democrat is not elected as our next Governor,” Hicks wrote in an \u003ca href=\"https://cadem.org/open-letter-to-the-democratic-candidates-for-governor/\">open letter\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>None of the contenders heeded his plea.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12071100\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12071100\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/260226-GOVRACEFORUM-04-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/260226-GOVRACEFORUM-04-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/260226-GOVRACEFORUM-04-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/260226-GOVRACEFORUM-04-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra speaks during a gubernatorial candidate forum at the UCSF Mission Bay campus in San Francisco on Jan. 26, 2026. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>However, the likelihood of Republicans shutting Democrats out of the November election \u003cem>has \u003c/em>decreased since President Donald \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12078793/trump-endorses-steve-hilton-for-california-governor-giving-gop-a-front-runner\">Trump endorsed Hilton\u003c/a> in April. A clear front-runner could unify Republican voters behind Hilton and open the door for a Democrat to claim the second spot in the runoff.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Plus, the most \u003ca href=\"https://emersoncollegepolling.com/california-2026-poll-becerra-continues-to-surge-steyer-and-hilton-compete-for-second-spot/\">recent Emerson poll\u003c/a> now shows former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in the lead with 19% of likely voters for the first time in the race. Hilton and Democrat Tom Steyer are tied for second with 17%.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Becerra’s surge came after former East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell — who was regarded as a front-runner for the gubernatorial primary — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12079583/eric-swalwell-ends-california-governor-campaign-after-sexual-assault-allegations\">exited the race \u003c/a>last month amid sexual assault and misconduct allegations.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Why does California have this top-two system?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Historically, California required a two-thirds vote in the Legislature to pass the state budget instead of a simple majority vote.[aside label=\"From the 2026 Voter Guide\" link1='https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/governor,Learn about the California Governor Election' hero=https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/80/2026/04/Aside-California-Governor-2026-Primary-Election-1200x1200@2x.png]In 2009, Democrats needed to court Republican votes to pass the state budget. Then-state Sen. Abel Maldonado, a Republican, agreed to vote yes — but only if the Legislature put a measure on the ballot to create the top-two primary system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Voters approved that measure, \u003ca href=\"https://lao.ca.gov/ballot/2010/14_06_2010.aspx\">Proposition 14\u003c/a>, in 2010, amending the state constitution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger backed the measure as a way to transform state politics, forcing candidates to appeal to voters across party lines and ultimately boost more moderate politicians.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“He liked to talk about living in a post-partisan political climate,” Alexander said. “He liked the idea of candidates having to appeal to more voters than just voters of their own party, and to face competition.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The system was also designed to give more influence to California’s \u003ca href=\"https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ror/60day-primary-2026/historical-reg-stats.pdf\">no party preference\u003c/a> voters, who make up 23% of registered voters in the state, just behind Republicans at 25%.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Which political offices in California are decided using this system?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The top-two primary applies to \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/primary-elections-california\">“voter-nominated”\u003c/a> offices: governor and other statewide positions like lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, state controller, insurance commissioner and state board of equalization members.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It also covers state Senate and Assembly seats and U.S. congressional offices.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The jungle primary system does not apply to presidential elections, local and nonpartisan offices such as city council, school boards, judges, district attorneys or the superintendent of public instruction.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Which other states use this system?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Washington state was the first to adopt a top-two primary for congressional and state-level elections in 2004, but not for governor.[aside postID=news_12082926 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260326-KATIE-PORTER-ON-PB-MD-03-KQED.jpg']Unlike California, Washington allows write-in candidates in the general election — a safety valve for scenarios where one party is locked out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A handful of other states use variations of the system. Nebraska’s legislature is nonpartisan, so it uses a top-two primary for state legislative races.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Louisiana uses a majority-vote system for statewide executive offices, state legislative seats and local offices. If a candidate receives a majority of the vote in the primary, they win outright. If not, there is a second round of voting with the top two vote-getters in November.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alaska adopted a top-four primary in 2020 for state executive, state legislative and congressional races. An effort to \u003ca href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Alaska_Ballot_Measure_2,_Repeal_Top-Four_Ranked-Choice_Voting_Initiative_(2024)\">repeal\u003c/a> the state’s top-four primaries was narrowly defeated by voters in 2024 but will be on the \u003ca href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Alaska_Repeal_Top-Four_Ranked-Choice_Voting_Initiative_(2026)\">ballot again\u003c/a> this year.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>If I’m a ‘no party preference’ voter, can I even vote in the California primary?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes: Any registered voter, including those with no party preference, can vote for any candidate in voter-nominated races like the governor’s contest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The top-two primary system draws no distinction based on a voter’s party registration.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Are there any efforts to get rid of California’s jungle primary?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Driven in part by concerns that Democrats could be locked out of this year’s governor’s race, a new ballot initiative seeks to repeal California’s top-two primary system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Democratic strategist Steven Maviglio \u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/initiatives/pdfs/26-0004%20%28%26quot%3BUndo%20the%20Top-Two%26quot%3B%29.pdf\">filed the initiative\u003c/a>, called “Undo the Top Two,” with the attorney general on May 8.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079476\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12079476\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260226-GovRaceForum-49-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260226-GovRaceForum-49-BL_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260226-GovRaceForum-49-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260226-GovRaceForum-49-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A state gubernatorial candidate forum at the UCSF Mission Bay campus in San Francisco on Jan. 26, 2026. The Urban League of the Bay Area hosted the forum. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>He called the jungle primary a “failed experiment.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The prospect of having to vote for a candidate who’s not from your party in November has really woken up a lot of voters in the state about the dangers of the top-two primary,” Maviglio said. “The chance that a Democrat would have to choose between Chad Bianco or Steve Hilton is sending a chill up the spine of a lot of Democrats.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, even if successful, Maviglio’s initiative won’t impact the 2026 election — since he hopes to place the measure on the 2028 ballot, with any changes taking effect no earlier than the 2030 elections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "The top-two primary means that, despite Democrats’ voter registration advantage in the state, California could have an all-Republican governor’s race in November.",
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"title": "What Is California's ‘Jungle Primary’ — and Why Does It Matter so Much for the Governor’s Race? | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>In California’s upcoming \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\">June primary election\u003c/a>, you’ll have the opportunity to cast your ballot for any of the candidates for governor, regardless of which party you’re registered with. The top two vote-getters advance to the general election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Known as a “jungle primary,” this system is different from how most states handle their primary elections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year,\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12075174/democratic-candidates-for-california-governor-defy-pressure-to-end-campaigns\"> Democrats raised the alarm\u003c/a> that two Republican gubernatorial candidates may move to the general election, locking out Democrats despite outnumbering Republican registered voters almost two to one. That’s because the crowded field of Democratic candidates threatens to split the party’s vote. Until recently, multiple polls have shown the two Republicans, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, polling at the top of the race.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Driven in part by these concerns, critics of the top-two primary have now filed a ballot initiative that would repeal this system and return California to party-based primaries, potentially as early as 2030.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But how does this top-two arrangement work? Why does California do things this way? And what are the chances of voters choosing between two GOP candidates for governor in November?\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How does California’s top-two primary system work?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In a traditional closed primary, such as in presidential races, voters can only choose among candidates from their own party: That is, say, registered Democrats could only vote for Democratic candidates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But in a top-two primary, all candidates from all parties appear on a single ballot open to any registered voter. The two candidates with the most votes in that primary then move on to the general election, even if they’re from the same party.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12070752\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12070752\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2255038550-scaled-e1775501165458.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1586\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Candidates for California’s next governor listen to a question from a union worker during the 2026 Gubernatorial Candidate Forum in Los Angeles on Jan. 10, 2026. \u003ccite>(Christina House/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Kim Alexander, president and founder of the California Voter Foundation, said this is an even bigger concern for third parties in the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“One of the unfortunate byproducts” of California’s jungle primary system, Alexander said, is how “it’s really shut out a lot of minor parties from the general election and they run the risk of being kicked off the ballot altogether.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Because if you don’t have candidates appearing on ballots at a certain pace, then you can’t remain an official party,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Does this really mean Californians might not get a Republican vs. Democrat race for governor in November?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>That’s correct: Under the top-two primary system, the November contest could be an intraparty fight.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That scenario has worried many California Democrats. With seven top Democrats crowding the field, there’s a risk of fracturing their party’s vote. Meanwhile, if enough Republican voters back both Hilton and Bianco to push them both into the top two, California could be locked into an all-Republican general election for governor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12081068\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12081068\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/FTP_9P3A3287_1_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/FTP_9P3A3287_1_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/FTP_9P3A3287_1_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/FTP_9P3A3287_1_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Steve Hilton, Republican gubernatorial candidate for California, left, and Tom Steyer, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for California, fist-bump prior to a gubernatorial debate at KRON Studios in San Francisco, California, on April 22, 2026. California will hold its primary election on June 2, where the top two finishers advance to the general election in November regardless of party affiliation. \u003ccite>(Jason Henry/Nexstar via Bloomberg)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In March, state Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks urged politicians in his party to take a hard look at the viability of their campaigns and drop out before the filing deadline.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“California’s leadership on the world stage is significantly harder if a Democrat is not elected as our next Governor,” Hicks wrote in an \u003ca href=\"https://cadem.org/open-letter-to-the-democratic-candidates-for-governor/\">open letter\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>None of the contenders heeded his plea.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12071100\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12071100\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/260226-GOVRACEFORUM-04-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/260226-GOVRACEFORUM-04-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/260226-GOVRACEFORUM-04-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/260226-GOVRACEFORUM-04-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra speaks during a gubernatorial candidate forum at the UCSF Mission Bay campus in San Francisco on Jan. 26, 2026. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>However, the likelihood of Republicans shutting Democrats out of the November election \u003cem>has \u003c/em>decreased since President Donald \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12078793/trump-endorses-steve-hilton-for-california-governor-giving-gop-a-front-runner\">Trump endorsed Hilton\u003c/a> in April. A clear front-runner could unify Republican voters behind Hilton and open the door for a Democrat to claim the second spot in the runoff.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Plus, the most \u003ca href=\"https://emersoncollegepolling.com/california-2026-poll-becerra-continues-to-surge-steyer-and-hilton-compete-for-second-spot/\">recent Emerson poll\u003c/a> now shows former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in the lead with 19% of likely voters for the first time in the race. Hilton and Democrat Tom Steyer are tied for second with 17%.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Becerra’s surge came after former East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell — who was regarded as a front-runner for the gubernatorial primary — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12079583/eric-swalwell-ends-california-governor-campaign-after-sexual-assault-allegations\">exited the race \u003c/a>last month amid sexual assault and misconduct allegations.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Why does California have this top-two system?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Historically, California required a two-thirds vote in the Legislature to pass the state budget instead of a simple majority vote.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>In 2009, Democrats needed to court Republican votes to pass the state budget. Then-state Sen. Abel Maldonado, a Republican, agreed to vote yes — but only if the Legislature put a measure on the ballot to create the top-two primary system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Voters approved that measure, \u003ca href=\"https://lao.ca.gov/ballot/2010/14_06_2010.aspx\">Proposition 14\u003c/a>, in 2010, amending the state constitution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger backed the measure as a way to transform state politics, forcing candidates to appeal to voters across party lines and ultimately boost more moderate politicians.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“He liked to talk about living in a post-partisan political climate,” Alexander said. “He liked the idea of candidates having to appeal to more voters than just voters of their own party, and to face competition.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The system was also designed to give more influence to California’s \u003ca href=\"https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ror/60day-primary-2026/historical-reg-stats.pdf\">no party preference\u003c/a> voters, who make up 23% of registered voters in the state, just behind Republicans at 25%.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Which political offices in California are decided using this system?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The top-two primary applies to \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/primary-elections-california\">“voter-nominated”\u003c/a> offices: governor and other statewide positions like lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, state controller, insurance commissioner and state board of equalization members.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It also covers state Senate and Assembly seats and U.S. congressional offices.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The jungle primary system does not apply to presidential elections, local and nonpartisan offices such as city council, school boards, judges, district attorneys or the superintendent of public instruction.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Which other states use this system?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Washington state was the first to adopt a top-two primary for congressional and state-level elections in 2004, but not for governor.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Unlike California, Washington allows write-in candidates in the general election — a safety valve for scenarios where one party is locked out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A handful of other states use variations of the system. Nebraska’s legislature is nonpartisan, so it uses a top-two primary for state legislative races.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Louisiana uses a majority-vote system for statewide executive offices, state legislative seats and local offices. If a candidate receives a majority of the vote in the primary, they win outright. If not, there is a second round of voting with the top two vote-getters in November.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alaska adopted a top-four primary in 2020 for state executive, state legislative and congressional races. An effort to \u003ca href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Alaska_Ballot_Measure_2,_Repeal_Top-Four_Ranked-Choice_Voting_Initiative_(2024)\">repeal\u003c/a> the state’s top-four primaries was narrowly defeated by voters in 2024 but will be on the \u003ca href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Alaska_Repeal_Top-Four_Ranked-Choice_Voting_Initiative_(2026)\">ballot again\u003c/a> this year.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>If I’m a ‘no party preference’ voter, can I even vote in the California primary?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes: Any registered voter, including those with no party preference, can vote for any candidate in voter-nominated races like the governor’s contest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The top-two primary system draws no distinction based on a voter’s party registration.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Are there any efforts to get rid of California’s jungle primary?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Driven in part by concerns that Democrats could be locked out of this year’s governor’s race, a new ballot initiative seeks to repeal California’s top-two primary system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Democratic strategist Steven Maviglio \u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/initiatives/pdfs/26-0004%20%28%26quot%3BUndo%20the%20Top-Two%26quot%3B%29.pdf\">filed the initiative\u003c/a>, called “Undo the Top Two,” with the attorney general on May 8.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079476\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12079476\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260226-GovRaceForum-49-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260226-GovRaceForum-49-BL_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260226-GovRaceForum-49-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260226-GovRaceForum-49-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A state gubernatorial candidate forum at the UCSF Mission Bay campus in San Francisco on Jan. 26, 2026. The Urban League of the Bay Area hosted the forum. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>He called the jungle primary a “failed experiment.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The prospect of having to vote for a candidate who’s not from your party in November has really woken up a lot of voters in the state about the dangers of the top-two primary,” Maviglio said. “The chance that a Democrat would have to choose between Chad Bianco or Steve Hilton is sending a chill up the spine of a lot of Democrats.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, even if successful, Maviglio’s initiative won’t impact the 2026 election — since he hopes to place the measure on the 2028 ballot, with any changes taking effect no earlier than the 2030 elections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "california-primary-2026-dropbox-near-me-san-francisco-bay-area-find-my-polling-place-election-day-voter-guide",
"title": "Primary 2026: Where Can I Drop Off My Ballot — or Vote Early?",
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"headTitle": "Primary 2026: Where Can I Drop Off My Ballot — or Vote Early? | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>California voters: the state primary elections are here. And if you’re registered to vote, your ballot will be on its way in the next few days — ahead of Election Day itself on June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wondering where to drop off your completed mail-in ballot in the Bay Area? Or where can you vote in person, and find a polling place near you? What about if you prefer to vote on Election Day itself?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for everything you need to know about submitting your vote in the California primary elections. And if you’re looking for detailed information about what you’ll be voting on, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\">take a look at KQED’s Voter Guide.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Howtofindyourclosestvotinglocationorballotdropoff\">How to find your closest voting location or ballot drop-off\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#HowtofindyourpollingplaceonElectionDay\">How to find your polling place on Election Day\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Howtocontactyourcountydirectlyaboutvoting\">How to contact your county directly about voting\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you’re concerned you might have made a mistake when filling out your ballot, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\">read our guide to addressing common errors on your ballot\u003c/a> (\u003cem>before\u003c/em> you mail it) — and find out \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\">how to get a fresh ballot or vote in person\u003c/a> if you really messed up.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I mail my ballot through the Postal Service?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, you can mail your completed ballot via the U.S. Postal Service at any regular collection box. The envelope is postage paid, so it doesn’t require a stamp, and it’ll be counted as long as it’s\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections\"> postmarked by Election Day and arrives at your county registrar’s office by June 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082112\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082112\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Porfirio Diaz fills out his mail-in ballot for California’s gubernatorial recall election at his home in Oakland on Sept. 9, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning to mail your ballot on Election Day itself, be \u003cem>very\u003c/em> sure you don’t miss the last collection time for that specific mailbox (which at many locations is 5 p.m. or earlier).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You also shouldn’t drop off your ballot on Election Day at a post office that’s already closed. Doing either of these things will mean your ballot will not be postmarked on Election Day and won’t be counted when it reaches your county’s election office.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I drop off my ballot in a drop box or at a voting location?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Once you complete your mail-in ballot, you can drop it off at an official drop box or voting location instead of mailing it via a U.S. Postal Service collection box. These drop boxes will \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">open by May 5.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A few reasons you might prefer to hand-deliver your completed ballot:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Peace of mind:\u003c/strong> There’s a satisfaction that comes with knowing your ballot should now travel straight to your county elections office rather than going through USPS collection and sorting for delivery\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Timing:\u003c/strong> If it’s Election Day itself, using a drop box or a voting location to drop off your ballot is the best way to be sure it’ll reach your county elections office in time to be counted\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Assistance:\u003c/strong> If you drop off your ballot at a voting location during operating hours and you have a few lingering questions about your ballot or the process, chances are good that you’ll find someone there to help answer them\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Regardless of how you deliver it, you can\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> sign up to track your ballot’s progress with the “Where’s My Ballot?” online tool\u003c/a> and be reassured it’s on its way to being counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowtofindyourpollingplaceonElectionDay\">\u003c/a>Where can I vote in person on Election Day?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>On Election Day, in-person voting is still available at every county registrar’s office (also known as your county’s elections office) in the Bay Area. If you’re a San Francisco voter, this location will be City Hall.\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> Find your county registrar’s office and opening hours.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check your mail-in ballot to see where you can vote and whether you’ve been assigned a specific polling place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082113\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082113\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco resident hands their mail-in ballot to USPS employee Elmer Padilla on Oct. 9, 2020. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in San Francisco, Contra Costa or Solano counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You are assigned a specific polling place, though Contra Costa County election officials say they can process your ballot no matter where you show up to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even if you live in a county that assigns you a particular polling place, you can still vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> your county registrar’s office\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Sonoma counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can vote at any voting location — known as Vote Centers — including your county registrar’s office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> find your voting location through the state’s lookup tool\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082088\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082088\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco official mail-in ballot for the Nov. 3, 2020, election. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Do I need to bring my ballot with me?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’d like to cast a ballot in person, it’s a good idea to bring the blank ballot you were mailed, as some counties may require you to vote provisionally if you don’t bring it. If you’re issued a new ballot when you vote in person, any ballot you left at home will be canceled.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Provisional votes are subject to extra checks — confirming that you’re actually registered to vote in California, or that you didn’t already complete and mail your ballot — and this extra layer of confirmation takes time. That means that although your vote will eventually be counted, it might not be tallied on Election Day itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I still need to register to vote. What should I do? Can I do this on Election Day?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The official deadline to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> register online to vote \u003c/a>is Monday, May 18.[aside postID=news_12081345 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/GettyImages-2272001355-2000x1334.jpg']Remember, if you’ve changed your name or the political party choice you previously registered to vote with, or you’ve moved address, you’ll need to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> reregister\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you miss the deadline to register, don’t panic: After May 18, you can still complete the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This system enables you to fill out and submit your ballot then and there, up until when polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to voter registration, many voting locations also offer replacement ballots, accessible voting machines and language assistance.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howtofindyourclosestvotinglocationorballotdropoff\">\u003c/a>How can I find my voting location or ballot drop-off?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Secure drop boxes \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">open by May 5, and the first vote centers open \u003c/a>May 23 in certain counties, with more early voting locations opening May 30.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082116\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082116\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Porfirio Diaz drops off his ballot for California’s gubernatorial recall election at a ballot dropbox in Fruitvale on Sept. 9, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Visit the\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> state of California lookup tool\u003c/a>, where you can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Enter your county (adding your city or ZIP code will give more localized results, but it’s optional)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Check the “Early Voting” and/or “Drop Off Location” boxes\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Hit “Search” to see all the early voting and drop-off locations in that area\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Remember that in-person voting hours may differ by location, and some locations may not be open every day.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howtocontactyourcountydirectlyaboutvoting\">\u003c/a>How can I contact my county directly about voting?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>California voters: the state primary elections are here. And if you’re registered to vote, your ballot will be on its way in the next few days — ahead of Election Day itself on June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wondering where to drop off your completed mail-in ballot in the Bay Area? Or where can you vote in person, and find a polling place near you? What about if you prefer to vote on Election Day itself?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for everything you need to know about submitting your vote in the California primary elections. And if you’re looking for detailed information about what you’ll be voting on, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\">take a look at KQED’s Voter Guide.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Howtofindyourclosestvotinglocationorballotdropoff\">How to find your closest voting location or ballot drop-off\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#HowtofindyourpollingplaceonElectionDay\">How to find your polling place on Election Day\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Howtocontactyourcountydirectlyaboutvoting\">How to contact your county directly about voting\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you’re concerned you might have made a mistake when filling out your ballot, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\">read our guide to addressing common errors on your ballot\u003c/a> (\u003cem>before\u003c/em> you mail it) — and find out \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\">how to get a fresh ballot or vote in person\u003c/a> if you really messed up.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I mail my ballot through the Postal Service?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, you can mail your completed ballot via the U.S. Postal Service at any regular collection box. The envelope is postage paid, so it doesn’t require a stamp, and it’ll be counted as long as it’s\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections\"> postmarked by Election Day and arrives at your county registrar’s office by June 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082112\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082112\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Porfirio Diaz fills out his mail-in ballot for California’s gubernatorial recall election at his home in Oakland on Sept. 9, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning to mail your ballot on Election Day itself, be \u003cem>very\u003c/em> sure you don’t miss the last collection time for that specific mailbox (which at many locations is 5 p.m. or earlier).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You also shouldn’t drop off your ballot on Election Day at a post office that’s already closed. Doing either of these things will mean your ballot will not be postmarked on Election Day and won’t be counted when it reaches your county’s election office.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I drop off my ballot in a drop box or at a voting location?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Once you complete your mail-in ballot, you can drop it off at an official drop box or voting location instead of mailing it via a U.S. Postal Service collection box. These drop boxes will \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">open by May 5.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A few reasons you might prefer to hand-deliver your completed ballot:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Peace of mind:\u003c/strong> There’s a satisfaction that comes with knowing your ballot should now travel straight to your county elections office rather than going through USPS collection and sorting for delivery\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Timing:\u003c/strong> If it’s Election Day itself, using a drop box or a voting location to drop off your ballot is the best way to be sure it’ll reach your county elections office in time to be counted\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Assistance:\u003c/strong> If you drop off your ballot at a voting location during operating hours and you have a few lingering questions about your ballot or the process, chances are good that you’ll find someone there to help answer them\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Regardless of how you deliver it, you can\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> sign up to track your ballot’s progress with the “Where’s My Ballot?” online tool\u003c/a> and be reassured it’s on its way to being counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowtofindyourpollingplaceonElectionDay\">\u003c/a>Where can I vote in person on Election Day?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>On Election Day, in-person voting is still available at every county registrar’s office (also known as your county’s elections office) in the Bay Area. If you’re a San Francisco voter, this location will be City Hall.\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> Find your county registrar’s office and opening hours.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check your mail-in ballot to see where you can vote and whether you’ve been assigned a specific polling place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082113\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082113\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco resident hands their mail-in ballot to USPS employee Elmer Padilla on Oct. 9, 2020. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in San Francisco, Contra Costa or Solano counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You are assigned a specific polling place, though Contra Costa County election officials say they can process your ballot no matter where you show up to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even if you live in a county that assigns you a particular polling place, you can still vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> your county registrar’s office\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Sonoma counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can vote at any voting location — known as Vote Centers — including your county registrar’s office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> find your voting location through the state’s lookup tool\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082088\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082088\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco official mail-in ballot for the Nov. 3, 2020, election. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Do I need to bring my ballot with me?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’d like to cast a ballot in person, it’s a good idea to bring the blank ballot you were mailed, as some counties may require you to vote provisionally if you don’t bring it. If you’re issued a new ballot when you vote in person, any ballot you left at home will be canceled.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Provisional votes are subject to extra checks — confirming that you’re actually registered to vote in California, or that you didn’t already complete and mail your ballot — and this extra layer of confirmation takes time. That means that although your vote will eventually be counted, it might not be tallied on Election Day itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I still need to register to vote. What should I do? Can I do this on Election Day?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The official deadline to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> register online to vote \u003c/a>is Monday, May 18.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Remember, if you’ve changed your name or the political party choice you previously registered to vote with, or you’ve moved address, you’ll need to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> reregister\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you miss the deadline to register, don’t panic: After May 18, you can still complete the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This system enables you to fill out and submit your ballot then and there, up until when polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to voter registration, many voting locations also offer replacement ballots, accessible voting machines and language assistance.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howtofindyourclosestvotinglocationorballotdropoff\">\u003c/a>How can I find my voting location or ballot drop-off?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Secure drop boxes \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">open by May 5, and the first vote centers open \u003c/a>May 23 in certain counties, with more early voting locations opening May 30.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082116\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082116\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Porfirio Diaz drops off his ballot for California’s gubernatorial recall election at a ballot dropbox in Fruitvale on Sept. 9, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Visit the\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> state of California lookup tool\u003c/a>, where you can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Enter your county (adding your city or ZIP code will give more localized results, but it’s optional)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Check the “Early Voting” and/or “Drop Off Location” boxes\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Hit “Search” to see all the early voting and drop-off locations in that area\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Remember that in-person voting hours may differ by location, and some locations may not be open every day.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howtocontactyourcountydirectlyaboutvoting\">\u003c/a>How can I contact my county directly about voting?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "Primary 2026: Read This Before You Fill Out Your California Ballot (or Need to Correct a Mistake)",
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"headTitle": "Primary 2026: Read This Before You Fill Out Your California Ballot (or Need to Correct a Mistake) | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>The midterm elections have arrived, and it’s time to vote in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/election-2026\">California 2026 primary election\u003c/a> — which includes your chance to decide who’ll advance in the race to be the state’s next governor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re a registered California voter, your ballot is on its way in the next few days, if it hasn’t already arrived. Your last day to vote will be Election Day itself, June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But what if you’re unsure of how to fill that ballot out according to how you want to vote? Or what to do if you’ve made a mistake on it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read on to learn how to fill out your ballot when it arrives, how important your signature is, and your options if you need to start again with a fresh ballot. And if you’re looking for detailed information about what you’ll be voting on, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\">take a look at KQED’s Voter Guide.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#ImessedupmyballotWhatshouldIdo\">I messed up my ballot. What should I do? \u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>First of all: Am I registered to vote?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The official deadline to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> register online to vote \u003c/a>is Monday, May 18.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if you’re unsure whether you’re already registered to vote or can’t remember which party preference you already have,\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> check your voter registration details\u003c/a> ASAP.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember, if you’ve changed your name or the political party choice you previously registered to vote with, or you’ve moved address, you’ll need to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> reregister\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Making sure you’re registered — and to the right address — is crucial for getting your ballot on time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11930674\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11930674\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut.jpg\" alt=\"Bright red box reading 'official ballot drop box' on a bright blue table\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1282\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-1020x681.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-1536x1026.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An official ballot drop box during early voting at City Hall in San Francisco on Oct. 11, 2022. \u003ccite>(Marlena Sloss/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And if you miss the deadline to register, don’t panic: That’s the last day to do it \u003cem>online\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After May 18, you can still complete the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and receive your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location, all the way up to 8 p.m. on Election Day itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What’s on my 2026 primary elections ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Depending on which county you live in, your California ballot will present you with a mix of races to vote on:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The primaries for statewide offices \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/governor\">Governor\u003c/a>: The most wide-open primary for governor in a generation was rocked by sexual assault allegations against a leading candidate — former East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/attorney-general\">Attorney general\u003c/a>: Democratic incumbent Rob Bonta seeks reelection to the state’s top law enforcement position.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/insurance-commissioner\">Insurance commissioner\u003c/a>: Wildfires and inflation have thrown California into an insurance crisis. Voters will decide who will be the insurance industry’s chief regulator.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Local measures and races \u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These will depend on your Bay Area county or district, so \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/bayarea\">read more about the local races that are on your ballot.\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How do I return my ballot when I’ve completed it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Drop off your ballot in a secure ballot drop box\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These drop boxes \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">open by May 5.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Return your ballot through the Postal Service \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The return postage is already paid for you. Keep in mind that the Postal Service must postmark your ballot envelope by the end of Election Day for your vote to count — and the last collection at many mailboxes is 5 p.m. If it’s getting late in the day on June 2, you might consider using a county drop box instead of a USPS mailbox.[aside postID=news_12081927 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/VotingCM.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Drop off your ballot in an open voting location\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">The first vote centers open \u003c/a>May 23 in certain counties, with more early voting locations opening May 30.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Do I \u003cem>have\u003c/em> to vote by mail?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>No. \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/vote-mail\">If you’re registered to vote, you’ll be receiving a mail-in ballot by default\u003c/a> for the 2026 primary, without requesting it. But voting by mail is still just one option that’s open to you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can still vote in person, either at an early voting location before Election Day or on Election Day, June 2, itself.\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> Early voting locations will open starting May 23.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"ImessedupmyballotWhatshouldIdo\">\u003c/a>How do I fix a mistake on my ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>It’s important to note that each county is slightly different in how they’d prefer for you to address a mistake on your ballot, and will often provide specific details about corrections \u003cem>on\u003c/em> the ballot itself. If you have a specific question about your ballot that isn’t answered here, you can always contact your local registrar of voters for advice and instructions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What if I have problems with my signature?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you’re done filling out your ballot, you must sign the envelope. But two big mistakes people make with their signatures are:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Forgetting to sign their ballot entirely.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Making a signature that doesn’t match the signature they made when they registered to vote.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Why \u003cem>wouldn’t\u003c/em> your signature match the one on file? If you registered to vote at a young age, maybe your signature has changed over time. Or perhaps you registered to vote at the DMV and provided your signature on a screen with a stylus, which doesn’t quite replicate how you’d make your signature with a pen on paper.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you registered this way, one simple way to avoid any signature problems is to take a quick glance at the signature that’s on your driver’s license or state ID — because that’s the one you want your ballot signature to match.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11932470\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11932470\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A voter seen dropping off a ballot.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A voter drops off a ballot at the City Hall Voting Center in San Francisco on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Even if you didn’t register at the DMV, that signature on your most recent license or state ID is still very likely the one to emulate. That’s because when you register to vote online, your county elections office electronically requests a copy of the signature the DMV \u003cem>currently\u003c/em> has for you, and this information is regularly updated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To further set your mind at rest, know that California isn’t an “exact match” state, and doesn’t demand that voters’ signatures 100% replicate the signature that’s on file.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What if I just don’t know my ‘correct’ signature I’m registered to vote with?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re \u003cem>really\u003c/em> worried about the signature on your envelope not matching the signature you’re registered to vote with, there are two good solutions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One: If it’s on or before May 18, you can\u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\"> reregister to vote with your current signature\u003c/a>, to be sure that the state now has your most recent one on file. If you are reregistering after May 18, you’d need to complete the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2021, Kim Alexander, president of the nonpartisan\u003ca href=\"https://www.calvoter.org/\"> California Voter Foundation\u003c/a>, told us there’s another solution if you’re worried about your signature: Go vote in person, if you’re able.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11931537\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11931537\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022.jpg\" alt=\"Voter submitting their ballot\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters drop off their ballot at Mexican Heritage Plaza polling place in San José on Election Day Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>That’s because the signature goes only on your ballot’s \u003cem>envelope\u003c/em> — and if you’re voting in person, there’s no envelope, because that ballot then goes straight into the ballot box without needing that envelope at all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So if you want that satisfaction of seeing your ballot drop in the box and know that it’s not going to get held up because of some signature issue, you can go and vote in person,” Alexander said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>I already mailed my ballot, but now I’m paranoid about my signature. What if I messed it up?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rest assured: There’s a whole system in place to help you correct your mistake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your county’s election office detects a signature mismatch on your ballot, they’ll reach out to you via mail to verify and work with you to correct it, so that your ballot can be counted after all. It’s called “curing” a ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This system is also applied when it looks like a member of a voter’s family might have signed their ballot, instead of the voter. This happens a \u003cem>surprising\u003c/em> amount when one household has several voters who all receive a ballot in the mail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One way to get peace of mind:\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> Sign up to track your ballot\u003c/a>, and you’ll find out about any issues with your ballot or your signature quickly.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I made a mistake on my ballot. How do I fix it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First, don’t panic. People make mistakes on ballots and find good ways to correct them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Counties give different directions to voters about what to do if they make a mistake (remember: Read the instructions!), but you can usually simply x out the choice you didn’t intend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11847170\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11847170\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A woman in short sleeves and a mask sits at a fold-out table in front of baskets of mail.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1278\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-1020x679.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-1536x1022.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An election employee works in the mail cleaning section, which includes arranging the ballots with their barcodes facing in one direction, at the San Mateo County Elections Office on Oct. 21, 2020. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The job of county elections officials — once they’ve verified your signature — is to make sure your ballot can be read correctly. If that means that your corrections on your ballot have resulted in readability issues, officials working in teams of two will actually remake it for you according to the intent you’ve signaled with your corrections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some counties, like Alameda, ask that you actually contact them first if you make a serious mistake — including voting for the wrong candidate — so they can send you a replacement ballot. So, wherever you live, it’s a good idea to check with your local elections office first to see what \u003cem>they\u003c/em> recommend if you made a mistake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember, there’s always this option …\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What if I just want a new ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’ve made a big mistake on your ballot — too big to fix — your best plan of action may be to focus on getting a new one. And that’s totally OK. You can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Call your county elections office and ask them to cancel that ballot and issue a new one to you.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Go to your county elections office with your spoiled ballot during business hours and vote right there at the counter.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Take advantage of the early voting options available in many counties.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Go to a voting site on Election Day, June 2, turn in your spoiled ballot there and get a new ballot.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You can also do this if you’ve accidentally damaged your ballot in some way (coffee spills happen).\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I think I put the wrong date on my envelope.\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First off, that date should be the date you signed your envelope — not your date of birth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you’re worried you messed up the date, don’t worry. Elections officials say that the date they’re \u003cem>really\u003c/em> looking for is the date that the ballot is postmarked, to make sure it was submitted on time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Election officials will only truly scrutinize the date you’ve written if they receive your ballot \u003cem>after\u003c/em> Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012693\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012693\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters drop off their ballots on Election Day at City Hall in San Francisco on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Like maybe you mailed it Monday before Election Day,” John Gardner, assistant registrar of voters for Solano County, told us in 2020. “That’s when we have to start looking at postmarks on the ballot, or date that the voter signed the envelope, to determine if we can count the ballot or not.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you haven’t mailed your envelope yet, it’s an easy fix: Just clearly cross out the incorrect date on the envelope and write in the correct one above it.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What if I use assistive technology to complete forms?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Getting physical assistance with filling out your ballot from someone you trust is always fine, whether you’re voting at home or at a voting site.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You just need to make sure your signature is your own and matches the one you’re registered to vote with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Disabled voters can also choose to use the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/remote-accessible-vote-mail\"> Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail\u003c/a> system to vote privately and independently at home, using their usual assistive device on their home computer to fill out the ballot on their screen and then print and mail it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Every voting location in California is also equipped with an accessible voting unit. Here, voters with blindness or low vision or who have a disability that limits their dexterity will be able to use the assistive device of their choice that allows them to vote privately and independently.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How can I make sure my mail-in ballot gets there on time?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Remember, one big reason that ballots get disqualified in elections is that voters mail them too late: either too late on Election Day itself (after U.S. Postal Service mailboxes have already been collected), or after Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To be counted in this election, your ballot must be postmarked on Election Day, June 2, at the latest. Your ballot has seven days to reach your county elections office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012702\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012702\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters fill out their ballots as others wait their turn to do the same at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>So in this election, it’s as crucial as ever to make sure you have a plan for voting on time — and if you’re not voting in person, that means making sure you get your ballot into a mailbox or into a secure voting drop box, at a polling location or your county elections office, by the time polls close on June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>A few other common ballot mistakes to watch out for …\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Make sure you’re filling out and signing the ballot and envelope with \u003cem>your\u003c/em> name on it:\u003c/strong> It’s common to see partners or roommates accidentally mix up their ballots. So make sure you’re signing the document that bears your name.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Make sure you use a black or blue pen:\u003c/strong> It reads better, and it doesn’t slow workers down when they have to check to see what voter intent was. (Don’t use a felt-tip or a Sharpie that bleeds through the paper and marks other pages on your ballot.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t mail an empty envelope:\u003c/strong> It does happen. Keeping your envelope and your ballot together in your home might be a helpful way of avoiding this problem. And of course, when you’re ready to mail your ballot, make sure it’s actually inside the envelope before you seal it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t bother with a stamp:\u003c/strong> Your ballot envelope is postage-paid. You don’t need it.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>My ballot is missing or hasn’t arrived. What should I do?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re reading this and you’re worried that your ballot hasn’t arrived yet, make sure you’re not worrying \u003cem>too \u003c/em>early, as the deadline for counties to send out ballots is only May 4.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if it gets to late-May and your ballot still hasn’t materialized, don’t panic: You have options. Here’s what to do:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Check that you’re actually registered to vote — and to the right address.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">Input your details on the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> to check your registration status. This will show whether you’re actually registered to vote, and to which address. It should also show whether your ballot was mailed out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also use\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> the Where’s My Ballot? tool\u003c/a> to check whether your ballot has been sent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you’re registered to the wrong address, you can update it before May 18. \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you update your voter registration and address using\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> before the May 18 deadline to register online, your county will cancel the ballot that went to your old address and send you a new one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12015120\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12015120\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Election workers process ballots at the Shasta County Clerk Registrar of Voters office in Redding on Oct. 30, 2024. \u003ccite>(Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And if it turns out your ballot \u003cem>was \u003c/em>missing because your voter registration wasn’t updated, don’t feel bad — people move all the time and forget to update their registrations accordingly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The California Voter Foundation’s Kim Alexander confirmed to KQED in 2021 that updating your address at the post office doesn’t, in fact, update your voter registration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The DMV, on the other hand, \u003cem>will\u003c/em> update your voter registration details if you update your address with them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If your voter registration address was correct but your ballot never showed up, you still have options.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If it’s more than six days before Election Day, you can call your county elections office and ask them to send a new ballot. Find your county elections office in our contact list (below).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your county elections office won’t mail you a ballot six days or less before Election Day, because it can’t be sure it’ll reach you in time. So if you’re trying to get a ballot in the immediate run-up to Election Day, go to your county elections office in person and request one at the counter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012692\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012692\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">‘I Voted’ stickers sit on a table during Election Day at City Hall in San Francisco on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>From May 4, your county elections office will be open for early voting through June 2, so you could also go there in person during opening hours and vote right there at the counter. More early voting locations will be opening throughout May.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember, if you’re \u003cem>not\u003c/em> actually registered to vote, you always have the option of\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a>, also known as conditional voter registration, at a voting location, where you can then fill out and submit your ballot, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Contact your county directly\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "From the signature on your envelope to what happens if you make a mistake on your ballot, here's how to correctly cast your vote in the 2026 California primary elections.",
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"title": "Primary 2026: Read This Before You Fill Out Your California Ballot (or Need to Correct a Mistake) | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The midterm elections have arrived, and it’s time to vote in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/election-2026\">California 2026 primary election\u003c/a> — which includes your chance to decide who’ll advance in the race to be the state’s next governor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re a registered California voter, your ballot is on its way in the next few days, if it hasn’t already arrived. Your last day to vote will be Election Day itself, June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But what if you’re unsure of how to fill that ballot out according to how you want to vote? Or what to do if you’ve made a mistake on it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read on to learn how to fill out your ballot when it arrives, how important your signature is, and your options if you need to start again with a fresh ballot. And if you’re looking for detailed information about what you’ll be voting on, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\">take a look at KQED’s Voter Guide.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#ImessedupmyballotWhatshouldIdo\">I messed up my ballot. What should I do? \u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>First of all: Am I registered to vote?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The official deadline to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> register online to vote \u003c/a>is Monday, May 18.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if you’re unsure whether you’re already registered to vote or can’t remember which party preference you already have,\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> check your voter registration details\u003c/a> ASAP.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember, if you’ve changed your name or the political party choice you previously registered to vote with, or you’ve moved address, you’ll need to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> reregister\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Making sure you’re registered — and to the right address — is crucial for getting your ballot on time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11930674\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11930674\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut.jpg\" alt=\"Bright red box reading 'official ballot drop box' on a bright blue table\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1282\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-1020x681.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-1536x1026.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An official ballot drop box during early voting at City Hall in San Francisco on Oct. 11, 2022. \u003ccite>(Marlena Sloss/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And if you miss the deadline to register, don’t panic: That’s the last day to do it \u003cem>online\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After May 18, you can still complete the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and receive your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location, all the way up to 8 p.m. on Election Day itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What’s on my 2026 primary elections ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Depending on which county you live in, your California ballot will present you with a mix of races to vote on:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The primaries for statewide offices \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/governor\">Governor\u003c/a>: The most wide-open primary for governor in a generation was rocked by sexual assault allegations against a leading candidate — former East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/attorney-general\">Attorney general\u003c/a>: Democratic incumbent Rob Bonta seeks reelection to the state’s top law enforcement position.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/insurance-commissioner\">Insurance commissioner\u003c/a>: Wildfires and inflation have thrown California into an insurance crisis. Voters will decide who will be the insurance industry’s chief regulator.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Local measures and races \u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These will depend on your Bay Area county or district, so \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/bayarea\">read more about the local races that are on your ballot.\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How do I return my ballot when I’ve completed it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Drop off your ballot in a secure ballot drop box\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These drop boxes \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">open by May 5.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Return your ballot through the Postal Service \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The return postage is already paid for you. Keep in mind that the Postal Service must postmark your ballot envelope by the end of Election Day for your vote to count — and the last collection at many mailboxes is 5 p.m. If it’s getting late in the day on June 2, you might consider using a county drop box instead of a USPS mailbox.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Drop off your ballot in an open voting location\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">The first vote centers open \u003c/a>May 23 in certain counties, with more early voting locations opening May 30.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Do I \u003cem>have\u003c/em> to vote by mail?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>No. \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/vote-mail\">If you’re registered to vote, you’ll be receiving a mail-in ballot by default\u003c/a> for the 2026 primary, without requesting it. But voting by mail is still just one option that’s open to you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can still vote in person, either at an early voting location before Election Day or on Election Day, June 2, itself.\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> Early voting locations will open starting May 23.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"ImessedupmyballotWhatshouldIdo\">\u003c/a>How do I fix a mistake on my ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>It’s important to note that each county is slightly different in how they’d prefer for you to address a mistake on your ballot, and will often provide specific details about corrections \u003cem>on\u003c/em> the ballot itself. If you have a specific question about your ballot that isn’t answered here, you can always contact your local registrar of voters for advice and instructions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What if I have problems with my signature?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you’re done filling out your ballot, you must sign the envelope. But two big mistakes people make with their signatures are:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Forgetting to sign their ballot entirely.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Making a signature that doesn’t match the signature they made when they registered to vote.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Why \u003cem>wouldn’t\u003c/em> your signature match the one on file? If you registered to vote at a young age, maybe your signature has changed over time. Or perhaps you registered to vote at the DMV and provided your signature on a screen with a stylus, which doesn’t quite replicate how you’d make your signature with a pen on paper.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you registered this way, one simple way to avoid any signature problems is to take a quick glance at the signature that’s on your driver’s license or state ID — because that’s the one you want your ballot signature to match.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11932470\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11932470\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A voter seen dropping off a ballot.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A voter drops off a ballot at the City Hall Voting Center in San Francisco on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Even if you didn’t register at the DMV, that signature on your most recent license or state ID is still very likely the one to emulate. That’s because when you register to vote online, your county elections office electronically requests a copy of the signature the DMV \u003cem>currently\u003c/em> has for you, and this information is regularly updated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To further set your mind at rest, know that California isn’t an “exact match” state, and doesn’t demand that voters’ signatures 100% replicate the signature that’s on file.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What if I just don’t know my ‘correct’ signature I’m registered to vote with?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re \u003cem>really\u003c/em> worried about the signature on your envelope not matching the signature you’re registered to vote with, there are two good solutions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One: If it’s on or before May 18, you can\u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\"> reregister to vote with your current signature\u003c/a>, to be sure that the state now has your most recent one on file. If you are reregistering after May 18, you’d need to complete the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2021, Kim Alexander, president of the nonpartisan\u003ca href=\"https://www.calvoter.org/\"> California Voter Foundation\u003c/a>, told us there’s another solution if you’re worried about your signature: Go vote in person, if you’re able.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11931537\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11931537\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022.jpg\" alt=\"Voter submitting their ballot\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters drop off their ballot at Mexican Heritage Plaza polling place in San José on Election Day Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>That’s because the signature goes only on your ballot’s \u003cem>envelope\u003c/em> — and if you’re voting in person, there’s no envelope, because that ballot then goes straight into the ballot box without needing that envelope at all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So if you want that satisfaction of seeing your ballot drop in the box and know that it’s not going to get held up because of some signature issue, you can go and vote in person,” Alexander said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>I already mailed my ballot, but now I’m paranoid about my signature. What if I messed it up?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rest assured: There’s a whole system in place to help you correct your mistake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your county’s election office detects a signature mismatch on your ballot, they’ll reach out to you via mail to verify and work with you to correct it, so that your ballot can be counted after all. It’s called “curing” a ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This system is also applied when it looks like a member of a voter’s family might have signed their ballot, instead of the voter. This happens a \u003cem>surprising\u003c/em> amount when one household has several voters who all receive a ballot in the mail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One way to get peace of mind:\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> Sign up to track your ballot\u003c/a>, and you’ll find out about any issues with your ballot or your signature quickly.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I made a mistake on my ballot. How do I fix it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First, don’t panic. People make mistakes on ballots and find good ways to correct them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Counties give different directions to voters about what to do if they make a mistake (remember: Read the instructions!), but you can usually simply x out the choice you didn’t intend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11847170\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11847170\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A woman in short sleeves and a mask sits at a fold-out table in front of baskets of mail.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1278\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-1020x679.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-1536x1022.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An election employee works in the mail cleaning section, which includes arranging the ballots with their barcodes facing in one direction, at the San Mateo County Elections Office on Oct. 21, 2020. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The job of county elections officials — once they’ve verified your signature — is to make sure your ballot can be read correctly. If that means that your corrections on your ballot have resulted in readability issues, officials working in teams of two will actually remake it for you according to the intent you’ve signaled with your corrections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some counties, like Alameda, ask that you actually contact them first if you make a serious mistake — including voting for the wrong candidate — so they can send you a replacement ballot. So, wherever you live, it’s a good idea to check with your local elections office first to see what \u003cem>they\u003c/em> recommend if you made a mistake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember, there’s always this option …\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What if I just want a new ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’ve made a big mistake on your ballot — too big to fix — your best plan of action may be to focus on getting a new one. And that’s totally OK. You can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Call your county elections office and ask them to cancel that ballot and issue a new one to you.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Go to your county elections office with your spoiled ballot during business hours and vote right there at the counter.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Take advantage of the early voting options available in many counties.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Go to a voting site on Election Day, June 2, turn in your spoiled ballot there and get a new ballot.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You can also do this if you’ve accidentally damaged your ballot in some way (coffee spills happen).\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I think I put the wrong date on my envelope.\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First off, that date should be the date you signed your envelope — not your date of birth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you’re worried you messed up the date, don’t worry. Elections officials say that the date they’re \u003cem>really\u003c/em> looking for is the date that the ballot is postmarked, to make sure it was submitted on time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Election officials will only truly scrutinize the date you’ve written if they receive your ballot \u003cem>after\u003c/em> Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012693\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012693\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters drop off their ballots on Election Day at City Hall in San Francisco on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Like maybe you mailed it Monday before Election Day,” John Gardner, assistant registrar of voters for Solano County, told us in 2020. “That’s when we have to start looking at postmarks on the ballot, or date that the voter signed the envelope, to determine if we can count the ballot or not.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you haven’t mailed your envelope yet, it’s an easy fix: Just clearly cross out the incorrect date on the envelope and write in the correct one above it.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What if I use assistive technology to complete forms?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Getting physical assistance with filling out your ballot from someone you trust is always fine, whether you’re voting at home or at a voting site.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You just need to make sure your signature is your own and matches the one you’re registered to vote with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Disabled voters can also choose to use the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/remote-accessible-vote-mail\"> Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail\u003c/a> system to vote privately and independently at home, using their usual assistive device on their home computer to fill out the ballot on their screen and then print and mail it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Every voting location in California is also equipped with an accessible voting unit. Here, voters with blindness or low vision or who have a disability that limits their dexterity will be able to use the assistive device of their choice that allows them to vote privately and independently.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How can I make sure my mail-in ballot gets there on time?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Remember, one big reason that ballots get disqualified in elections is that voters mail them too late: either too late on Election Day itself (after U.S. Postal Service mailboxes have already been collected), or after Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To be counted in this election, your ballot must be postmarked on Election Day, June 2, at the latest. Your ballot has seven days to reach your county elections office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012702\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012702\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters fill out their ballots as others wait their turn to do the same at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>So in this election, it’s as crucial as ever to make sure you have a plan for voting on time — and if you’re not voting in person, that means making sure you get your ballot into a mailbox or into a secure voting drop box, at a polling location or your county elections office, by the time polls close on June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>A few other common ballot mistakes to watch out for …\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Make sure you’re filling out and signing the ballot and envelope with \u003cem>your\u003c/em> name on it:\u003c/strong> It’s common to see partners or roommates accidentally mix up their ballots. So make sure you’re signing the document that bears your name.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Make sure you use a black or blue pen:\u003c/strong> It reads better, and it doesn’t slow workers down when they have to check to see what voter intent was. (Don’t use a felt-tip or a Sharpie that bleeds through the paper and marks other pages on your ballot.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t mail an empty envelope:\u003c/strong> It does happen. Keeping your envelope and your ballot together in your home might be a helpful way of avoiding this problem. And of course, when you’re ready to mail your ballot, make sure it’s actually inside the envelope before you seal it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t bother with a stamp:\u003c/strong> Your ballot envelope is postage-paid. You don’t need it.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>My ballot is missing or hasn’t arrived. What should I do?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re reading this and you’re worried that your ballot hasn’t arrived yet, make sure you’re not worrying \u003cem>too \u003c/em>early, as the deadline for counties to send out ballots is only May 4.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if it gets to late-May and your ballot still hasn’t materialized, don’t panic: You have options. Here’s what to do:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Check that you’re actually registered to vote — and to the right address.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">Input your details on the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> to check your registration status. This will show whether you’re actually registered to vote, and to which address. It should also show whether your ballot was mailed out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also use\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> the Where’s My Ballot? tool\u003c/a> to check whether your ballot has been sent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you’re registered to the wrong address, you can update it before May 18. \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you update your voter registration and address using\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> before the May 18 deadline to register online, your county will cancel the ballot that went to your old address and send you a new one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12015120\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12015120\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Election workers process ballots at the Shasta County Clerk Registrar of Voters office in Redding on Oct. 30, 2024. \u003ccite>(Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And if it turns out your ballot \u003cem>was \u003c/em>missing because your voter registration wasn’t updated, don’t feel bad — people move all the time and forget to update their registrations accordingly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The California Voter Foundation’s Kim Alexander confirmed to KQED in 2021 that updating your address at the post office doesn’t, in fact, update your voter registration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The DMV, on the other hand, \u003cem>will\u003c/em> update your voter registration details if you update your address with them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If your voter registration address was correct but your ballot never showed up, you still have options.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If it’s more than six days before Election Day, you can call your county elections office and ask them to send a new ballot. Find your county elections office in our contact list (below).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your county elections office won’t mail you a ballot six days or less before Election Day, because it can’t be sure it’ll reach you in time. So if you’re trying to get a ballot in the immediate run-up to Election Day, go to your county elections office in person and request one at the counter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012692\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012692\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">‘I Voted’ stickers sit on a table during Election Day at City Hall in San Francisco on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>From May 4, your county elections office will be open for early voting through June 2, so you could also go there in person during opening hours and vote right there at the counter. More early voting locations will be opening throughout May.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember, if you’re \u003cem>not\u003c/em> actually registered to vote, you always have the option of\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a>, also known as conditional voter registration, at a voting location, where you can then fill out and submit your ballot, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Contact your county directly\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "Election 2025: Where Can I Drop Off My Ballot, Vote Early or Find My Polling Place on Election Day?",
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"headTitle": "Election 2025: Where Can I Drop Off My Ballot, Vote Early or Find My Polling Place on Election Day? | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060643/elecciones-2025-sepa-donde-votar-or-entregar-su-boleta-en-california\">\u003cem>Leer en español\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4: your last day to vote in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/politics\">the 2025 election\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Every registered voter in California should have received their mail-in ballot, and you have several options for where to cast your vote Tuesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading if you’re a Bay Area resident wondering where to drop off your completed mail-in ballot or where you can vote in person — or how to find your polling place on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’re looking for last-minute information about what’s on your ballot, take a look at KQED’s guides to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/proposition-50\">Proposition 50\u003c/a>, which proposes redrawing California’s congressional district lines (for all California voters)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/measure-a\">Measure A,\u003c/a> which proposes Santa Clara County increases its sales tax to fund county services (for Santa Clara voters only.)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#where-early-vote-ballot-dropoff\">How to find my closest voting location or ballot drop-off\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#where-is-my-polling-place\">How to find my polling place on Election Day\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#contact-my-county-elections-office\">How to contact my county directly about voting\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you’re concerned you might have made a mistake when filling out your ballot, you can read our guide to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058818/how-to-correct-fix-mistake-on-ballot-election-2025-prop-50\">addressing common errors on your ballot (\u003cem>before\u003c/em> you mail it)\u003c/a> — and find out how to get a fresh ballot or vote in person if you really messed up.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I mail my ballot through the Postal Service?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, you can still mail your completed ballot via the U.S. Postal Service at any regular collection box. The envelope is postage paid, so it doesn’t require a stamp, and it’ll be counted as long as it’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections\">postmarked by Election Day and arrives at your county registrar’s office by Nov. 11.\u003c/a>[aside postID='news_12058837,news_12060171,news_12058818' label='More Election Guides']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning to mail your ballot on Election Day itself, be \u003cem>very\u003c/em> sure you don’t miss the last collection time for that specific mailbox (which at many locations is 5 p.m. or earlier).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You also shouldn’t drop off your ballot on Election Day at a post office that’s already closed. Doing either of these things will mean your ballot will not be postmarked on Election Day and won’t be counted when it reaches your county’s election office.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I drop off my ballot in a drop box or at a voting location?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Once you complete your mail-in ballot, you can drop it off at an official drop box or voting location instead of mailing it via a U.S. Postal Service collection box. Jump to where to find your\u003ca href=\"#where-early-vote-ballot-dropoff\"> nearest drop box\u003c/a> (or voting location, when they open.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A few reasons you might prefer to hand-deliver your completed ballot:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Peace of mind:\u003c/strong> There’s a satisfaction that comes with knowing your ballot should now travel straight to your county elections office rather than going through USPS collection and sorting for delivery\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Timing:\u003c/strong> If it’s Election Day itself, using a drop box or a voting location to drop off your ballot is the best way to be sure it’ll reach your county elections office in time to be counted\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Assistance:\u003c/strong> If you drop off your ballot at a voting location during operating hours and you have a few lingering questions about your ballot or the process, chances are good that you’ll find someone there to help answer them\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Regardless of how you deliver it, you can \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">sign up to track your ballot’s progress with the “Where’s My Ballot?” online tool\u003c/a> and be reassured it’s on its way to being counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if your ballot never showed up, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060171/ballot-missing-election-2025-hasnt-arrived-yet-replacement\">read more about what to do if your ballot has gone missing.\u003c/a> You still have time to get your ballot and cast your vote on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11841859\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11841859 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45273_002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_JoshYule_10062020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"Hand holding ballot drops it in red cardboard ballot box\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45273_002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_JoshYule_10062020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45273_002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_JoshYule_10062020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45273_002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_JoshYule_10062020-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45273_002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_JoshYule_10062020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45273_002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_JoshYule_10062020-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco resident drops off a mail-in ballot at a voting center near City Hall on Oct. 6, 2020. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"where-is-my-polling-place\">\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>Where can I vote in person on Election Day?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>On Election Day, in-person voting is still available at every county registrar’s office (also known as your county’s elections office) in the Bay Area. If you’re a San Francisco voter, this location will be City Hall. \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\">Find your county registrar’s office and opening hours.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check your mail-in ballot to see where you can vote and whether you’ve been assigned a specific polling place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in San Francisco, Contra Costa or Solano counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You are assigned a specific polling place, though Contra Costa County election officials say they can process your ballot no matter where you show up to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even if you live in a county that assigns you a particular polling place, you can still vote at \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\">your county registrar’s office\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Sonoma counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can vote at any voting location — known as Vote Centers — including your county registrar’s office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can \u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\">find your voting location through the state’s lookup tool\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Do I need to bring my ballot with me?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’d like to cast a ballot in person, it’s a good idea to bring the blank ballot you were mailed, as some counties may require you to vote provisionally if you don’t bring it. If you’re issued a new ballot when you vote in person, any ballot you left at home will be canceled.[aside label=\"2025 California Special Election\" link1='https://www.kqed.org/proposition-50,Learn about Proposition 50' hero=https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Aside-2025-Special-Election-Voter-Guide-Proposition-50-1200x675-1.png]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Provisional votes are subject to extra checks — confirming that you’re actually registered to vote in California, or that you didn’t already complete and mail your ballot — and this extra layer of confirmation takes time. That means that although your vote will eventually be counted, it might not be tallied on Election Day itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I still need to register to vote. Can I do this on Election Day?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, but the deadline to register to vote online at \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a> was Oct. 20, so at this point you need to \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/pres-prim-march-2024?mc_cid=638980d345&mc_eid=b5c444f6a0\">register in person\u003c/a> at your county elections office or any open voting location through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\">same-day registration\u003c/a>, also known as conditional voter registration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This system enables you to fill out and submit your ballot then and there, up until when polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\">Read more about how registering (or re-registering) to vote in person works.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to voter registration, many voting locations also offer replacement ballots, accessible voting machines and language assistance.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"where-early-vote-ballot-dropoff\">\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>How can I find my voting location or ballot drop-off?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Visit the \u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\">state of California lookup tool\u003c/a>, where you will:\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Enter your county (adding your city or ZIP code will give more localized results, but it’s optional)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Check the “Early Voting” and/or “Drop Off Location” boxes\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Hit “Search” to see all the early voting and drop-off locations in that area\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Remember that in-person voting hours may differ by location, and some locations may not be open every day.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"contact-my-county-elections-office\">\u003c/a>How can I contact my county directly about voting?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.acvote.org/index\">Alameda\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cocovote.us/\">Contra Costa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">Marin\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\">send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org/\">San Francisco\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">San Mateo\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">Solano\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">Sonoma\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060643/elecciones-2025-sepa-donde-votar-or-entregar-su-boleta-en-california\">\u003cem>Leer en español\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4: your last day to vote in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/politics\">the 2025 election\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Every registered voter in California should have received their mail-in ballot, and you have several options for where to cast your vote Tuesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading if you’re a Bay Area resident wondering where to drop off your completed mail-in ballot or where you can vote in person — or how to find your polling place on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’re looking for last-minute information about what’s on your ballot, take a look at KQED’s guides to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/proposition-50\">Proposition 50\u003c/a>, which proposes redrawing California’s congressional district lines (for all California voters)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/measure-a\">Measure A,\u003c/a> which proposes Santa Clara County increases its sales tax to fund county services (for Santa Clara voters only.)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#where-early-vote-ballot-dropoff\">How to find my closest voting location or ballot drop-off\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#where-is-my-polling-place\">How to find my polling place on Election Day\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#contact-my-county-elections-office\">How to contact my county directly about voting\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you’re concerned you might have made a mistake when filling out your ballot, you can read our guide to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058818/how-to-correct-fix-mistake-on-ballot-election-2025-prop-50\">addressing common errors on your ballot (\u003cem>before\u003c/em> you mail it)\u003c/a> — and find out how to get a fresh ballot or vote in person if you really messed up.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I mail my ballot through the Postal Service?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, you can still mail your completed ballot via the U.S. Postal Service at any regular collection box. The envelope is postage paid, so it doesn’t require a stamp, and it’ll be counted as long as it’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections\">postmarked by Election Day and arrives at your county registrar’s office by Nov. 11.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning to mail your ballot on Election Day itself, be \u003cem>very\u003c/em> sure you don’t miss the last collection time for that specific mailbox (which at many locations is 5 p.m. or earlier).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You also shouldn’t drop off your ballot on Election Day at a post office that’s already closed. Doing either of these things will mean your ballot will not be postmarked on Election Day and won’t be counted when it reaches your county’s election office.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I drop off my ballot in a drop box or at a voting location?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Once you complete your mail-in ballot, you can drop it off at an official drop box or voting location instead of mailing it via a U.S. Postal Service collection box. Jump to where to find your\u003ca href=\"#where-early-vote-ballot-dropoff\"> nearest drop box\u003c/a> (or voting location, when they open.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A few reasons you might prefer to hand-deliver your completed ballot:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Peace of mind:\u003c/strong> There’s a satisfaction that comes with knowing your ballot should now travel straight to your county elections office rather than going through USPS collection and sorting for delivery\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Timing:\u003c/strong> If it’s Election Day itself, using a drop box or a voting location to drop off your ballot is the best way to be sure it’ll reach your county elections office in time to be counted\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Assistance:\u003c/strong> If you drop off your ballot at a voting location during operating hours and you have a few lingering questions about your ballot or the process, chances are good that you’ll find someone there to help answer them\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Regardless of how you deliver it, you can \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">sign up to track your ballot’s progress with the “Where’s My Ballot?” online tool\u003c/a> and be reassured it’s on its way to being counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if your ballot never showed up, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060171/ballot-missing-election-2025-hasnt-arrived-yet-replacement\">read more about what to do if your ballot has gone missing.\u003c/a> You still have time to get your ballot and cast your vote on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11841859\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11841859 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45273_002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_JoshYule_10062020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"Hand holding ballot drops it in red cardboard ballot box\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45273_002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_JoshYule_10062020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45273_002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_JoshYule_10062020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45273_002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_JoshYule_10062020-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45273_002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_JoshYule_10062020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45273_002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_JoshYule_10062020-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco resident drops off a mail-in ballot at a voting center near City Hall on Oct. 6, 2020. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"where-is-my-polling-place\">\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>Where can I vote in person on Election Day?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>On Election Day, in-person voting is still available at every county registrar’s office (also known as your county’s elections office) in the Bay Area. If you’re a San Francisco voter, this location will be City Hall. \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\">Find your county registrar’s office and opening hours.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check your mail-in ballot to see where you can vote and whether you’ve been assigned a specific polling place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in San Francisco, Contra Costa or Solano counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You are assigned a specific polling place, though Contra Costa County election officials say they can process your ballot no matter where you show up to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even if you live in a county that assigns you a particular polling place, you can still vote at \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\">your county registrar’s office\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Sonoma counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can vote at any voting location — known as Vote Centers — including your county registrar’s office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can \u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\">find your voting location through the state’s lookup tool\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Do I need to bring my ballot with me?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’d like to cast a ballot in person, it’s a good idea to bring the blank ballot you were mailed, as some counties may require you to vote provisionally if you don’t bring it. If you’re issued a new ballot when you vote in person, any ballot you left at home will be canceled.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"link1": "https://www.kqed.org/proposition-50,Learn about Proposition 50",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Provisional votes are subject to extra checks — confirming that you’re actually registered to vote in California, or that you didn’t already complete and mail your ballot — and this extra layer of confirmation takes time. That means that although your vote will eventually be counted, it might not be tallied on Election Day itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I still need to register to vote. Can I do this on Election Day?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, but the deadline to register to vote online at \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a> was Oct. 20, so at this point you need to \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/pres-prim-march-2024?mc_cid=638980d345&mc_eid=b5c444f6a0\">register in person\u003c/a> at your county elections office or any open voting location through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\">same-day registration\u003c/a>, also known as conditional voter registration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This system enables you to fill out and submit your ballot then and there, up until when polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\">Read more about how registering (or re-registering) to vote in person works.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to voter registration, many voting locations also offer replacement ballots, accessible voting machines and language assistance.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"where-early-vote-ballot-dropoff\">\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>How can I find my voting location or ballot drop-off?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Visit the \u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\">state of California lookup tool\u003c/a>, where you will:\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Enter your county (adding your city or ZIP code will give more localized results, but it’s optional)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Check the “Early Voting” and/or “Drop Off Location” boxes\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Hit “Search” to see all the early voting and drop-off locations in that area\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Remember that in-person voting hours may differ by location, and some locations may not be open every day.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"contact-my-county-elections-office\">\u003c/a>How can I contact my county directly about voting?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.acvote.org/index\">Alameda\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cocovote.us/\">Contra Costa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">Marin\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\">send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org/\">San Francisco\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">San Mateo\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">Solano\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">Sonoma\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "Election 2025: Monday is Your Last Day to Register Online to Vote",
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"headTitle": "Election 2025: Monday is Your Last Day to Register Online to Vote | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>Monday, Oct. 20 is the last day to register online to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058811/election-2025-ballot-dropoff-near-me-early-voting-where-is-my-polling-place\">vote in the Nov. 4 election\u003c/a> — or to re-register online, if you need to update your voter registration details.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you miss this deadline, don’t worry. You have several options for registering or re-registering in person all the way through Nov. 4 itself, your last day to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here’s what to know about checking your voter registration, from the Oct. 20 deadline to how to make sure election officials have your correct mailing address. You can also jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#register-to-vote-first-time\">I want to register to vote for the first time\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#change-address-voter-registration\">What should I do if I’ve moved to a new address?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#change-name-voter-registration\">I changed my name — how do I update my voter registration?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#when-will-my-ballot-arrive\">When will my ballot arrive?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>I’m almost certain I’m registered to vote, but how can I check?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You can check your voter registration status at \u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">voterstatus.sos.ca.gov\u003c/a>, which will show whether you’re registered to vote and the address associated with your registration.[aside postID='news_12058811,news_12058818,news_12060171' label='More Election Explainers']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your voter registration is active and your address and name are up to date, your ballot should have arrived by now. You can use \u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">voterstatus.sos.ca.gov\u003c/a> to check when your ballot was mailed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also use \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">the Where’s My Ballot?\u003c/a> tool to check whether your ballot was sent out, and read \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060171/ballot-missing-election-2025-hasnt-arrived-yet-replacement\">our guide on what to do if your ballot never showed up.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are some reasons I might need to update my voter registration?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Updating your voter registration is also known as “re-registering” to vote — because to update elements of your voter record at \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a>, you’ll need to register to vote \u003cem>again\u003c/em> as if you were making a new application.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a general rule, you’ll definitely need to re-register if your name or address has changed. But if registering to vote when you know you’re already registered feels weird, don’t worry: this won’t be seen as you trying to fraudulently register to vote twice or anything like that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because your voter registration is tied to your social security number and your driver’s license/state ID card number, your new voter registration will be matched with your \u003cem>existing\u003c/em> voter registration and your details will be updated. There will also be a section on the form where you can provide any previous addresses and names you’ve been registered to vote under.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you want to change your party preference, you’ll also need to re-register to do that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For smaller changes, your county may allow you to submit a Voter Action Form by mail or online. For example, if San Francisco residents want to make minor changes to their voter registration, they can use \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfelections.org/tools/regupdate/regupd.php\">a form from the San Francisco Department of Elections\u003c/a> to determine whether they can do so online. \u003ca href=\"#countylist\">Find your Bay Area county elections office’s website and contact details\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You should update your voter registration if:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"change-address-voter-registration\">\u003c/a>If you have moved to a new address within California\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your old address is on your voter registration, then your mail-in ballot will automatically be sent to that address — not your new one. Your voter registration will only reflect your new address if you’ve manually updated it or \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions\">if you’ve updated your address with the DMV.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Register to vote with your new address at \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state says that you can also send a signed letter to your current county elections official to let them know you’ve moved, along with your date of birth and current address. \u003ca href=\"#countylist\">Find your Bay Area county elections office’s website and contact details\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012691\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012691\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-14-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-14-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-14-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-14-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-14-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-14-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-14-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters drop off their ballots on Election Day at City Hall in San Francisco on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca id=\"change-name-voter-registration\">\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>If you have legally changed your name\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You’ll need to re-register to vote with your new name. One important thing: Before you do that, the Secretary of State recommends that you \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions\">update your California driver’s license or identification card with the DMV \u003cem>first.\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is because when you register to vote online, your county elections office electronically requests a copy of the signature the DMV currently has for you. And if you haven’t updated your signature with the DMV, the signature the agency sends to your county elections office will be the signature for your previous name, not your new one, and your registration will be rejected. \u003ca href=\"https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/updating-information-on-your-driver-license-or-identification-dl-id-card/\">Read how to update your signature with the DMV.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What if you aren’t able to update your details with the DMV first? The state recommends you select “decline” on the application when asked to use your DMV signature to register to vote — but you’ll have to hit “print” and sign the paper application, which you’ll mail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Register to vote with your new name at \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you haven’t voted in a while\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In general,” says the Secretary of State’s office, you’ll stay registered to vote for as long as you remain at the same address you’re registered with — but “\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions\">there are cases in which voter registration can be canceled\u003c/a> if a voter has not voted in several consecutive general elections.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if your ballot doesn’t arrive in October, and you suspect it might be because you haven’t voted in many years, contact your county’s elections office ASAP. \u003ca href=\"#countylist\">Jump straight to our list of Bay Area county elections offices\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>When is my last chance to update my voter registration?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you forget to re-register with your new address or name, and your ballot is sent out in October to the wrong address or without your current name, don’t worry. As long as you update your voter registration online at \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">registertovote.ca.gov \u003c/a>before the Oct. 20 deadline, your county will just cancel the ballot that went to your old address and send you a new one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if things get hectic in October and you miss the Oct. 20 deadline, you can still update your voter registration — you’ll just have to do it in person at that stage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Go to \u003ca href=\"#countylist\">your county elections office \u003c/a>or an open voting location and ask to register in person via Same Day Registration (also called conditional registration). You can do this up until when polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 4.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012700\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012700\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-03-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-03-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-03-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-03-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-03-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-03-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-03-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters fill out their ballots at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"register-to-vote-first-time\">\u003c/a>How can I register to vote for the first time?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You can register to vote if you’re:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>A United States citizen and a resident of California,\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>18 years old or older on Election Day\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>People who are currently serving a state or federal prison term for a felony conviction cannot vote or register to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can register to vote online at \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">registertovote.ca.gov \u003c/a>before the Oct. 20 deadline. After that, you can register to vote in person at\u003ca href=\"#countylist\"> your county elections office \u003c/a>or an open voting location, where you can register through Same Day Registration (also called conditional registration). You can do this up until when polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re unhoused or have no fixed address, you can still register to vote by providing a description of the place where you spend most of your time if you don’t have a street address, including cross streets. You can \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">register to vote this way via online application\u003c/a> before Oct. 20 or on the paper voter registration application you can pick up at any Department of Motor Vehicles field office, or many post offices, public libraries, government offices or \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\">your county elections office\u003c/a> by request (where you can also use Same Day Registration in person.)\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"when-will-my-ballot-arrive\">\u003c/a>When will my ballot arrive?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Every registered voter in California will automatically receive a ballot in the mail, and by this point you should have received yours if you were correctly registered to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Oct. 6 was the deadline for Bay Area counties to \u003cem>start\u003c/em> mailing ballots, though many started several days earlier. This means your ballot will most likely have arrived in early to mid-October.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can use both \u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">voterstatus.sos.ca.gov\u003c/a> and the state’s \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">Where’s My Ballot? \u003c/a>tool to check whether your ballot has been sent out. And if your ballot is still missing, don’t worry: You have options. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060171/ballot-missing-election-2025-hasnt-arrived-yet-replacement\">Read our guide for what to do if your Election 2025 ballot doesn’t show up.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can use the ballot to cast your vote or you can forget it and request a fresh one at a voting location. The one that arrived in the mail will be canceled.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"countylist\">\u003c/a>How can I contact my county directly about voting?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.acvote.org/index\">Alameda\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cocovote.us/\">Contra Costa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">Marin\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\">send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org/\">San Francisco\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">San Mateo\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">Solano\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">Sonoma\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "The Nov. 4 election is around the corner. Here's how to make sure you're correctly registered to vote in California, and what to do if you miss it the deadline to register online.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Monday, Oct. 20 is the last day to register online to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058811/election-2025-ballot-dropoff-near-me-early-voting-where-is-my-polling-place\">vote in the Nov. 4 election\u003c/a> — or to re-register online, if you need to update your voter registration details.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you miss this deadline, don’t worry. You have several options for registering or re-registering in person all the way through Nov. 4 itself, your last day to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here’s what to know about checking your voter registration, from the Oct. 20 deadline to how to make sure election officials have your correct mailing address. You can also jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#register-to-vote-first-time\">I want to register to vote for the first time\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#change-address-voter-registration\">What should I do if I’ve moved to a new address?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#change-name-voter-registration\">I changed my name — how do I update my voter registration?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#when-will-my-ballot-arrive\">When will my ballot arrive?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>I’m almost certain I’m registered to vote, but how can I check?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You can check your voter registration status at \u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">voterstatus.sos.ca.gov\u003c/a>, which will show whether you’re registered to vote and the address associated with your registration.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your voter registration is active and your address and name are up to date, your ballot should have arrived by now. You can use \u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">voterstatus.sos.ca.gov\u003c/a> to check when your ballot was mailed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also use \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">the Where’s My Ballot?\u003c/a> tool to check whether your ballot was sent out, and read \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060171/ballot-missing-election-2025-hasnt-arrived-yet-replacement\">our guide on what to do if your ballot never showed up.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are some reasons I might need to update my voter registration?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Updating your voter registration is also known as “re-registering” to vote — because to update elements of your voter record at \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a>, you’ll need to register to vote \u003cem>again\u003c/em> as if you were making a new application.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a general rule, you’ll definitely need to re-register if your name or address has changed. But if registering to vote when you know you’re already registered feels weird, don’t worry: this won’t be seen as you trying to fraudulently register to vote twice or anything like that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because your voter registration is tied to your social security number and your driver’s license/state ID card number, your new voter registration will be matched with your \u003cem>existing\u003c/em> voter registration and your details will be updated. There will also be a section on the form where you can provide any previous addresses and names you’ve been registered to vote under.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you want to change your party preference, you’ll also need to re-register to do that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For smaller changes, your county may allow you to submit a Voter Action Form by mail or online. For example, if San Francisco residents want to make minor changes to their voter registration, they can use \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfelections.org/tools/regupdate/regupd.php\">a form from the San Francisco Department of Elections\u003c/a> to determine whether they can do so online. \u003ca href=\"#countylist\">Find your Bay Area county elections office’s website and contact details\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You should update your voter registration if:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"change-address-voter-registration\">\u003c/a>If you have moved to a new address within California\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your old address is on your voter registration, then your mail-in ballot will automatically be sent to that address — not your new one. Your voter registration will only reflect your new address if you’ve manually updated it or \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions\">if you’ve updated your address with the DMV.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Register to vote with your new address at \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state says that you can also send a signed letter to your current county elections official to let them know you’ve moved, along with your date of birth and current address. \u003ca href=\"#countylist\">Find your Bay Area county elections office’s website and contact details\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012691\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012691\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-14-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-14-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-14-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-14-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-14-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-14-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-14-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters drop off their ballots on Election Day at City Hall in San Francisco on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca id=\"change-name-voter-registration\">\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>If you have legally changed your name\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You’ll need to re-register to vote with your new name. One important thing: Before you do that, the Secretary of State recommends that you \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions\">update your California driver’s license or identification card with the DMV \u003cem>first.\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is because when you register to vote online, your county elections office electronically requests a copy of the signature the DMV currently has for you. And if you haven’t updated your signature with the DMV, the signature the agency sends to your county elections office will be the signature for your previous name, not your new one, and your registration will be rejected. \u003ca href=\"https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/updating-information-on-your-driver-license-or-identification-dl-id-card/\">Read how to update your signature with the DMV.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What if you aren’t able to update your details with the DMV first? The state recommends you select “decline” on the application when asked to use your DMV signature to register to vote — but you’ll have to hit “print” and sign the paper application, which you’ll mail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Register to vote with your new name at \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you haven’t voted in a while\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In general,” says the Secretary of State’s office, you’ll stay registered to vote for as long as you remain at the same address you’re registered with — but “\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions\">there are cases in which voter registration can be canceled\u003c/a> if a voter has not voted in several consecutive general elections.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if your ballot doesn’t arrive in October, and you suspect it might be because you haven’t voted in many years, contact your county’s elections office ASAP. \u003ca href=\"#countylist\">Jump straight to our list of Bay Area county elections offices\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>When is my last chance to update my voter registration?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you forget to re-register with your new address or name, and your ballot is sent out in October to the wrong address or without your current name, don’t worry. As long as you update your voter registration online at \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">registertovote.ca.gov \u003c/a>before the Oct. 20 deadline, your county will just cancel the ballot that went to your old address and send you a new one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if things get hectic in October and you miss the Oct. 20 deadline, you can still update your voter registration — you’ll just have to do it in person at that stage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Go to \u003ca href=\"#countylist\">your county elections office \u003c/a>or an open voting location and ask to register in person via Same Day Registration (also called conditional registration). You can do this up until when polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 4.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012700\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012700\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-03-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-03-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-03-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-03-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-03-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-03-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-03-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters fill out their ballots at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"register-to-vote-first-time\">\u003c/a>How can I register to vote for the first time?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You can register to vote if you’re:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>A United States citizen and a resident of California,\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>18 years old or older on Election Day\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>People who are currently serving a state or federal prison term for a felony conviction cannot vote or register to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can register to vote online at \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">registertovote.ca.gov \u003c/a>before the Oct. 20 deadline. After that, you can register to vote in person at\u003ca href=\"#countylist\"> your county elections office \u003c/a>or an open voting location, where you can register through Same Day Registration (also called conditional registration). You can do this up until when polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re unhoused or have no fixed address, you can still register to vote by providing a description of the place where you spend most of your time if you don’t have a street address, including cross streets. You can \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">register to vote this way via online application\u003c/a> before Oct. 20 or on the paper voter registration application you can pick up at any Department of Motor Vehicles field office, or many post offices, public libraries, government offices or \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\">your county elections office\u003c/a> by request (where you can also use Same Day Registration in person.)\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"when-will-my-ballot-arrive\">\u003c/a>When will my ballot arrive?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Every registered voter in California will automatically receive a ballot in the mail, and by this point you should have received yours if you were correctly registered to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Oct. 6 was the deadline for Bay Area counties to \u003cem>start\u003c/em> mailing ballots, though many started several days earlier. This means your ballot will most likely have arrived in early to mid-October.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can use both \u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">voterstatus.sos.ca.gov\u003c/a> and the state’s \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">Where’s My Ballot? \u003c/a>tool to check whether your ballot has been sent out. And if your ballot is still missing, don’t worry: You have options. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060171/ballot-missing-election-2025-hasnt-arrived-yet-replacement\">Read our guide for what to do if your Election 2025 ballot doesn’t show up.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can use the ballot to cast your vote or you can forget it and request a fresh one at a voting location. The one that arrived in the mail will be canceled.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"countylist\">\u003c/a>How can I contact my county directly about voting?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.acvote.org/index\">Alameda\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cocovote.us/\">Contra Costa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">Marin\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\">send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org/\">San Francisco\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">San Mateo\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">Solano\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">Sonoma\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>Election Day — your last day to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california\">vote\u003c/a> — is less than two weeks away, on Tuesday, Nov. 4. And every registered California voter will receive a mail-in ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But what if your ballot still hasn’t shown up yet?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The deadline for Bay Area counties to start mailing out their ballots was Oct. 6, but don’t panic if there’s no sign of your ballot in your mailbox as it may still be making its way to you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And even if something \u003cem>has\u003c/em> gone wrong, you have time — and several options — to fix things and make sure you get to cast your vote by the time polls close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 4.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Looking for information about what’s on your ballot instead? \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/electionsnews\">Take a look at KQED’s election guides\u003c/a>, including information about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/proposition-50\">Proposition 50\u003c/a>, which would redraw California’s congressional district lines.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’ve made a mistake on your ballot, we also have a guide to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058818/how-to-correct-fix-mistake-on-ballot-election-2025-prop-50\">how to address different kinds of ballot — and signature — goofs.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#ballot-sent-wrong-address\">My ballot was sent to the wrong address\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#ballot-missing\">I think my ballot got lost in the mail\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>First, check if your voter registration is correct — and if your ballot was actually sent out\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">Input your details on the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> to check your registration status.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This site will show whether you’re correctly registered to vote and to which address. It should also show whether your ballot was mailed out. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\">Read our guide to making sure you’re correctly registered to vote.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also use \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">the Where’s My Ballot? Tool\u003c/a> to check whether your ballot has been sent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Finding out if your voter registration is correct will help you determine next steps in getting your ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12024173\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12024173 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/110524-Election-Fresno_LV_CM_20.jpg\" alt=\"A hand places a pieces of paper in the ballot box.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/110524-Election-Fresno_LV_CM_20.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/110524-Election-Fresno_LV_CM_20-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/110524-Election-Fresno_LV_CM_20-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/110524-Election-Fresno_LV_CM_20-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/110524-Election-Fresno_LV_CM_20-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/110524-Election-Fresno_LV_CM_20-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A voter casts their mail-in ballot at a polling site at Fresno City College in Fresno on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Larry Valenzuela/CalMatters/CatchLight Local)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"ballot-sent-wrong-address\">\u003c/a>If your ballot was sent to the wrong address\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If it turns out your ballot was missing because your voter registration wasn’t updated, don’t feel bad — people move all the time and forget to update their registrations accordingly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The deadline to update your voter registration online using \u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> is Oct. 20. But if you miss that date, you can still \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\">re-register with your new address in person through Same Day Registration (also called “conditional registration”.) \u003c/a>You can do this in person right up until when polls close on 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 4.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can re-register to vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\"> your county elections office during business hours\u003c/a>, which is now open for early voting. You can also ask for Same Day Registration at an open voting location near you when many early voting locations open around the Bay Area on Oct. 25. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058811/election-2025-ballot-dropoff-near-me-early-voting-where-is-my-polling-place\">Read more about how to find your closest voting location.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you do this, your county will cancel the ballot that went to your old address and give you a new one to vote with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058811/election-2025-ballot-dropoff-near-me-early-voting-where-is-my-polling-place\">Read more about registering (or re-registering) to vote in person.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"ballot-missing\">\u003c/a>If your voter registration address was correct but your ballot never showed up\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If it’s more than six days before Election Day, you can just \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\">call your county elections office \u003c/a>and ask them to send a new ballot. Scroll to the bottom of this story to find your Bay Area county elections office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your county elections office won’t mail you a ballot six days or less before Election Day because it can’t be sure the ballot will reach you in time. So, if you’re trying to get a ballot in the immediate run-up to Election Day, go to your county elections office in person and request one at the counter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your county elections office is also open as of Oct. 6 for early voting through Election Day, so you could also go there and vote in person at the same time. \u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\">More early voting locations will be opening throughout October.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember, if you’re \u003cem>not\u003c/em> actually registered to vote or need to re-register to update details like your address or your legal name, you always have the option of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg\">Same Day Registration\u003c/a> at an open voting location, where you can then fill out and submit your ballot, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>If your ballot showed up but it has your former name on it\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’ve legally changed your name since you last voted in California, you’ll need to re-register to vote with your current (new) name.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The deadline to update your voter registration online using \u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> is Monday (Oct. 20), and if you miss that date you’ll need to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12010355/last-chance-to-register-to-vote-california-deadline-election-2024-same-day-conditional-registration#deadline-to-register-to-vote\">re-register with your new address in person through Same Day Registration (also called “conditional registration.”) \u003c/a>You can do this in person right up until when polls close on 8 p.m. on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can re-register to vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\"> your county elections office during business hours\u003c/a>, which is now open for early voting. You can also ask for Same Day Registration at an open voting location near you when many early voting locations open around the Bay Area on Oct. 25. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\">Read more about how to find your closest voting location.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you do this, your county will cancel the ballot that went to your old address and give you a new one to vote with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\">Read more about registering (or re-registering) to vote in person.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"contact\">\u003c/a>How to contact your county directly\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.acvote.org/index\">Alameda\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cocovote.us\">Contra Costa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">Marin\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\">send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">San Francisco\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">San Mateo\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">Solano\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">Sonoma\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bookmark \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/statewide-special-nov-4-2025\">the state’s full list of deadlines for the 2025 California Special Election\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Election Day — your last day to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california\">vote\u003c/a> — is less than two weeks away, on Tuesday, Nov. 4. And every registered California voter will receive a mail-in ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But what if your ballot still hasn’t shown up yet?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The deadline for Bay Area counties to start mailing out their ballots was Oct. 6, but don’t panic if there’s no sign of your ballot in your mailbox as it may still be making its way to you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And even if something \u003cem>has\u003c/em> gone wrong, you have time — and several options — to fix things and make sure you get to cast your vote by the time polls close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 4.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Looking for information about what’s on your ballot instead? \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/electionsnews\">Take a look at KQED’s election guides\u003c/a>, including information about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/proposition-50\">Proposition 50\u003c/a>, which would redraw California’s congressional district lines.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’ve made a mistake on your ballot, we also have a guide to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058818/how-to-correct-fix-mistake-on-ballot-election-2025-prop-50\">how to address different kinds of ballot — and signature — goofs.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#ballot-sent-wrong-address\">My ballot was sent to the wrong address\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#ballot-missing\">I think my ballot got lost in the mail\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>First, check if your voter registration is correct — and if your ballot was actually sent out\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">Input your details on the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> to check your registration status.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This site will show whether you’re correctly registered to vote and to which address. It should also show whether your ballot was mailed out. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\">Read our guide to making sure you’re correctly registered to vote.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also use \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">the Where’s My Ballot? Tool\u003c/a> to check whether your ballot has been sent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Finding out if your voter registration is correct will help you determine next steps in getting your ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12024173\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12024173 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/110524-Election-Fresno_LV_CM_20.jpg\" alt=\"A hand places a pieces of paper in the ballot box.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/110524-Election-Fresno_LV_CM_20.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/110524-Election-Fresno_LV_CM_20-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/110524-Election-Fresno_LV_CM_20-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/110524-Election-Fresno_LV_CM_20-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/110524-Election-Fresno_LV_CM_20-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/110524-Election-Fresno_LV_CM_20-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A voter casts their mail-in ballot at a polling site at Fresno City College in Fresno on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Larry Valenzuela/CalMatters/CatchLight Local)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"ballot-sent-wrong-address\">\u003c/a>If your ballot was sent to the wrong address\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If it turns out your ballot was missing because your voter registration wasn’t updated, don’t feel bad — people move all the time and forget to update their registrations accordingly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The deadline to update your voter registration online using \u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> is Oct. 20. But if you miss that date, you can still \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\">re-register with your new address in person through Same Day Registration (also called “conditional registration”.) \u003c/a>You can do this in person right up until when polls close on 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 4.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can re-register to vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\"> your county elections office during business hours\u003c/a>, which is now open for early voting. You can also ask for Same Day Registration at an open voting location near you when many early voting locations open around the Bay Area on Oct. 25. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058811/election-2025-ballot-dropoff-near-me-early-voting-where-is-my-polling-place\">Read more about how to find your closest voting location.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you do this, your county will cancel the ballot that went to your old address and give you a new one to vote with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058811/election-2025-ballot-dropoff-near-me-early-voting-where-is-my-polling-place\">Read more about registering (or re-registering) to vote in person.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"ballot-missing\">\u003c/a>If your voter registration address was correct but your ballot never showed up\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If it’s more than six days before Election Day, you can just \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\">call your county elections office \u003c/a>and ask them to send a new ballot. Scroll to the bottom of this story to find your Bay Area county elections office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your county elections office won’t mail you a ballot six days or less before Election Day because it can’t be sure the ballot will reach you in time. So, if you’re trying to get a ballot in the immediate run-up to Election Day, go to your county elections office in person and request one at the counter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your county elections office is also open as of Oct. 6 for early voting through Election Day, so you could also go there and vote in person at the same time. \u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\">More early voting locations will be opening throughout October.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember, if you’re \u003cem>not\u003c/em> actually registered to vote or need to re-register to update details like your address or your legal name, you always have the option of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg\">Same Day Registration\u003c/a> at an open voting location, where you can then fill out and submit your ballot, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>If your ballot showed up but it has your former name on it\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’ve legally changed your name since you last voted in California, you’ll need to re-register to vote with your current (new) name.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The deadline to update your voter registration online using \u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> is Monday (Oct. 20), and if you miss that date you’ll need to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12010355/last-chance-to-register-to-vote-california-deadline-election-2024-same-day-conditional-registration#deadline-to-register-to-vote\">re-register with your new address in person through Same Day Registration (also called “conditional registration.”) \u003c/a>You can do this in person right up until when polls close on 8 p.m. on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can re-register to vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\"> your county elections office during business hours\u003c/a>, which is now open for early voting. You can also ask for Same Day Registration at an open voting location near you when many early voting locations open around the Bay Area on Oct. 25. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\">Read more about how to find your closest voting location.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you do this, your county will cancel the ballot that went to your old address and give you a new one to vote with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\">Read more about registering (or re-registering) to vote in person.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"contact\">\u003c/a>How to contact your county directly\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.acvote.org/index\">Alameda\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cocovote.us\">Contra Costa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">Marin\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\">send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">San Francisco\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">San Mateo\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">Solano\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">Sonoma\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bookmark \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/statewide-special-nov-4-2025\">the state’s full list of deadlines for the 2025 California Special Election\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "Election 2025: How to Correct a Mistake on Your Ballot",
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"headTitle": "Election 2025: How to Correct a Mistake on Your Ballot | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060657/elecciones-2025-cometio-un-error-al-llenar-su-boleta-electoral-le-explicamos-como-corregirlo\">Leer en español\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[dropcap]E[/dropcap]lection Day — your last day to vote — is on Tuesday, Nov. 4. And if you’re a registered California voter, your ballot should arrive in your mailbox soon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But what if you make a mistake on your ballot as you’re filling it out? Or are you just not sure how to fill it out in the first place?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading to learn how to fill out your ballot, how important your signature is and your options if you need to start again with a fresh ballot. Or jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#how-to-correct-mistake-ballot\">What are my Bay Area county’s rules on fixing ballot mistakes?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#signature-problem-ballot\">What happens if I messed up my signature on my ballot?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#date-on-ballot-envelope\">I’m worried I wrote the wrong date on my ballot’s envelope\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you’re looking for information about what’s on your ballot, take a look at KQED’s guides to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/proposition-50\">Proposition 50\u003c/a>, which proposes redrawing California’s congressional district lines (for all California voters)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/measure-a\">Measure A,\u003c/a> which proposes Santa Clara County increases its sales tax to fund county services (for Santa Clara voters only.)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>(And if you want to make sure you’re actually registered to vote correctly, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12003124/how-do-i-know-if-im-registered-to-vote-heres-how-to-check\">read our 2024 guide to checking your voter registration \u003c/a>— including why you might need to re-register.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12006905\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12006905\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_TikaHall_10062020_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_TikaHall_10062020_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_TikaHall_10062020_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_TikaHall_10062020_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_TikaHall_10062020_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_TikaHall_10062020_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_TikaHall_10062020_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco resident fills out their mail-in ballot. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"how-to-correct-mistake-ballot\">\u003c/a>I messed up. How do I fix a mistake on my ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First, don’t panic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>People make mistakes on ballots, and they also find good ways to correct them. The job of county elections officials — once they’ve verified your signature — is to make sure your ballot can be read correctly. If that means that your corrections on your ballot have resulted in readability issues, officials working in teams of two will actually remake it for you according to the intent you’ve signaled with your corrections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The main thing to know is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to fixing a mistake on your ballot in California — how a voter corrects a goof is up to the county, and those instructions vary from place to place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your own county’s advice for how to fix a mistake on your ballot is almost certainly printed \u003cem>on\u003c/em> your ballot, so check there first. But here’s what each county’s registrar told KQED in 2024 about fixing a mistake, so scroll down to find your county or use the quick links below. If they sent us a visual guide, we’ve included that, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you have a specific question about your ballot that isn’t answered here, you can always \u003ca href=\"#contact\">contact your local county elections office for advice and instructions\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11842571\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11842571\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45341_023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45341_023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45341_023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45341_023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45341_023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45341_023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco resident hands their mail-in ballot to a US Postal Service employee. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alameda County’s ballot instructs voters to request a fresh ballot if they make a mistake, rather than try to correct it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"#how-to-get-new-ballot\">Jump straight to how you can get a new ballot\u003c/a>. You can also call the Alameda County Registrar of Voters at 510-267-8683 or 800-345-VOTE(8683) with questions about your individual ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you make a mistake, Contra Costa County Registrar Kristin Connelly told KQED that “A simple X through the oval of the incorrect choice and a filled-in oval on their correct choice is enough.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“[A]s long as we can determine what the voter’s intent is, we can make sure we count their vote correctly,” Connelly said. But if you’re still worried about your vote, you can always \u003ca href=\"#how-to-get-new-ballot\">ask for a replacement ballot,\u003c/a> to either mail back or use to vote in person.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s totally up to the voter and what makes them comfortable and secure that their vote will be counted,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>John Tuteur, Napa County Registrar of Voters, said that if someone makes a mistake on their ballot, like marking Yes when they meant to mark No, “they should circle the correct choice and draw an arrow to it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The county’s vote-counting machines — technically known as “optical scanner ballot tabulators” — will automatically flag and forward any ballot that shows an “overvote” like this (i.e., when a race has more answers than is permitted) to staff who are trained to adjudicate these things, and work out what that voter intended with their correction.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This process is all documented, Tuteur said, so elections staff always know which adjudicator reviewed which ballot and what they decided.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Steve Goltiao, associate communications officer with Santa Clara County’s Registrar of Voters, said you can “correct it by crossing out the wrong choice and filling out the correct oval as shown in the picture” below. You should not sign or initial the correction, Goltiao said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12005425\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 500px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12005425\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Ballot-mistake-EDIT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Ballot-mistake-EDIT.png 500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Ballot-mistake-EDIT-160x32.png 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">How Santa Clara County recommends voters correct their ballot. \u003ccite>(Santa Clara Department of Elections)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You can also \u003ca href=\"#how-to-get-new-ballot\">request a replacement ballot\u003c/a> by calling 408-299-VOTE (8683) or toll-free 866-430-VOTE(8683). “Voters may also use the Remote Accessible Vote by Mail System (RAVBM) to download a copy of the ballot that can be printed and returned by mail,” Goltiao said. \u003ca href=\"https://vote.santaclaracounty.gov/vote-mail/how-mark-your-vote-mail-ballot\">Read more information for Santa Clara voters about marking and returning ballots.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“[V]oters can \u003ca href=\"#how-to-get-new-ballot\">request replacement ballots\u003c/a> if they make a mistake marking a selection,” San Francisco Department of Elections Director John Arntz told KQED. You can request a new ballot in person at your polling place and, from the San Francisco elections office at City Hall, and by \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/departments/department-elections\">calling or emailing the Department of Election (scroll to the bottom of this link for contact details.) \u003c/a>You can also use their \u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.org/tools/portal/\">Voter Portal\u003c/a> online to request a replacement ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if a voter doesn’t want to — or can’t — request a replacement ballot, Arntz said, “We tell them they can also cross out the incorrect selection, fill in the correct oval, and note on the card they made a mistake.” The reason this is OK, Artnz said, is because the vote-counting machines will recognize and flag any ballot that contains more than the allowed number of votes for a particular race. The ballot is then “moved to manual review or adjudication,” and elections staffers will personally look at the ballot to work out what the voter meant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When voters indicate they made a mistake, our personnel will remedy the overvote to reflect the voters’ intent, and the card is then tabulated,” Artnz said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12006099\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12006099\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/San-Mateo-voting.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/San-Mateo-voting.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/San-Mateo-voting-800x180.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/San-Mateo-voting-1020x229.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/San-Mateo-voting-160x36.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/San-Mateo-voting-1536x345.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">How San Mateo County recommends voters correct their ballot. \u003ccite>(San Mateo County)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Mark Church, San Mateo County’s assessor-county clerk-recorder and chief elections officer told KQED that “any additional markings a voter makes including an ‘X’ through a selection choice on the ballot” will cause the ballot to get flagged and placed in a “challenged” status. Then your ballot is sent to one of the county’s adjudication stations, where a staffer will determine how you meant to vote with your markings.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Thus, it is preferred that a voter \u003ca href=\"#how-to-get-new-ballot\">request a replacement ballot\u003c/a> if they make a mistake in marking their ballot,” Church said — which you can do in person by \u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\">visiting one of the county’s 49 Vote Centers\u003c/a> or calling the Elections Office at 650-312-5222.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“[L]ike lots of things, it kind of depends on the case and how close to election day it is,” Solano County Assistant Registrar of Voters John Gardner told KQED. But as a general rule, he encourages Solano voters to \u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.gov/government/registrar-voters\">“call our office and talk to staff so we can go through the options” or email them. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your options, which an elections staffer can go over with you, include writing notes on your ballot to make your intention clear (“i.e., add arrows to the correct choice and write ‘I want this one’ next to it or something like that,” Gardner said, so the human reviewing your ballot can understand it). You also will have ways to \u003ca href=\"#how-to-get-new-ballot\">receive a new ballot, \u003c/a>including requesting a totally fresh one, using a sample ballot or even printing a new one yourself from a secure site.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“[W]e do have a lot of options for voters, but it’s really best for them to get in touch with us to help them understand all the possibilities based on their situation and needs,” Gardner said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Voters should put an X over the incorrect choice and mark the correct one,” said Deva Proto, clerk-recorder-assessor and registrar of voters of Sonoma County. “Voters can also \u003ca href=\"#how-to-get-new-ballot\">request a replacement ballot\u003c/a>, if they feel more comfortable with that, or go to any in-person location to vote or get a replacement ballot.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember, there’s \u003cem>always\u003c/em> this option …\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Marin County voters “can X out the mistake and mark the correct vote,” Lynda Roberts, registrar of voters, told KQED. “As long as we can see their intent, we can count the vote.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Marin voters “should not initial or write their name next to the change, however, since ballots are to remain anonymous,” Roberts said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"how-to-get-new-ballot\">\u003c/a>What if I just want a new ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’ve made a big mistake on your ballot — too big to fix — your best plan of action may be to focus on getting a new one. You can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Call your county elections office and ask them to cancel that ballot and issue a new one to you\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Go to your county elections office with your spoiled ballot during business hours and vote right there at the counter\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Take advantage of the early voting options available in many counties\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Go to a voting site on Election Day, turn in your spoiled ballot there and get a new ballot\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You can also do this if you’ve accidentally damaged your ballot in some way (coffee spills happen.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11843241\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11843241\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45338_019_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45338_019_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45338_019_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45338_019_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45338_019_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45338_019_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco resident puts on an ‘I Voted!’ sticker after completing their mail-in ballot. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"signature-problem-ballot\">\u003c/a>What if I have problems with my signature?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>When you’re done filling out your ballot, you must sign the envelope (\u003cem>not\u003c/em> the ballot itself, as they are meant to stay anonymous.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But a few big mistakes people can make with their signatures are:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Forgetting to sign their ballot envelope\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Accidentally signing the wrong ballot envelope in their household (i.e., mixing up your ballot with your partner’s or roommate’s ballot) or\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Making a signature that doesn’t match the signature they made when they registered to vote.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Why \u003cem>wouldn’t\u003c/em> your signature match the one on file? If you registered to vote at a young age, maybe your signature has changed over time. Or perhaps you registered to vote at the DMV and provided your signature on a screen with a stylus, which doesn’t quite replicate how you’d make your signature with a pen on paper.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you registered this way, one simple way to avoid any signature problems is to take a quick glance at the signature that’s on your driver’s license or state ID — because that’s usually the one you want your ballot signature to match.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even if you didn’t register at the DMV, that signature on your most recent license or state ID is still very likely the one to emulate. That’s because when you register to vote online, your county elections office electronically requests a copy of the signature the DMV \u003cem>currently\u003c/em> has for you, and this information is regularly updated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To further set your mind at rest, know that California isn’t an “exact match” state and doesn’t demand voters’ signatures 100% replicate the signature that’s on file.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>What if I just don’t know my ‘correct’ signature I’m registered to vote with?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re \u003cem>really\u003c/em> worried about the signature on your envelope not matching the signature you’re registered to vote with, there are two good solutions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One: If it’s on or before Oct. 20, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12003124/how-do-i-know-if-im-registered-to-vote-heres-how-to-check\">re-register to vote with your current signature\u003c/a> to be sure that the state now has your most recent one on file. If you are re-registering after Oct. 20, you’d need to complete the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\">same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Two: In 2021, Kim Alexander, president of the nonpartisan \u003ca href=\"https://www.calvoter.org/\">California Voter Foundation\u003c/a>, told us there’s another solution if you’re worried about your signature: Go vote in person, if you’re able.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s because the signature only goes on your ballot’s \u003cem>envelope\u003c/em> — and if you’re voting in person, that ballot goes straight into the ballot box without needing an envelope at all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So if you want that satisfaction of seeing your ballot drop in the box and know that it’s not going to get held up because of some signature issue, you can go and vote in person,” Alexander said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Thanks, KQED: I already mailed my ballot, but now I’m paranoid about my signature. What if I messed it up?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Rest assured: There’s a whole system in place to help you correct your mistake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your county’s election office detects a signature mismatch on your ballot, they’ll reach out to you via mail to verify and work with you to correct it so that your ballot can be counted after all. It’s called “curing” a ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This system is also applied when it looks like a member of a voter’s family might have signed their ballot instead of the voter. This happens a \u003cem>surprising\u003c/em> amount when one household has several voters who all receive a ballot in the mail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One way to get peace of mind: \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">Sign up to track your ballot\u003c/a>, and you’ll find out about any issues with your ballot or your signature quickly.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"date-on-ballot-envelope\">\u003c/a>I think I put the wrong date on my envelope\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First off, that date should be the date you signed your envelope — not your date of birth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you’re worried you messed up the date, don’t worry. Elections officials said that the date they’re \u003cem>really\u003c/em> looking for is the date that the ballot is postmarked to make sure it was submitted on time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Election officials will only truly scrutinize the date you’ve written if they receive your ballot \u003cem>after\u003c/em> Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you haven’t mailed your envelope yet, it’s an easy fix: Just clearly cross out the incorrect date on the envelope and write in the correct one above it.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What if I use assistive technology to complete forms?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Getting physical assistance with filling out your ballot from someone you trust is always fine, whether you’re voting at home or at a voting site. You just need to make sure your signature is your own and matches the one you’re registered to vote with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Disabled voters can also choose to use the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/remote-accessible-vote-mail\">Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail \u003c/a>system to vote privately and independently at home, using their usual assistive device on their home computer to fill out the ballot on their screen and then print and mail it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Every voting location in California is also equipped with an accessible voting unit. Here, voters who are blind, have low vision or have a disability that affects their dexterity can use an assistive device of their choice to vote privately and independently.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How can I make sure my mail-in ballot gets there on time?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Remember, one of the main reasons ballots are disqualified is because voters mail them too late — either after mailboxes have been collected on Election Day or after Election Day itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To be counted in this election, your ballot must be postmarked on Nov. 4 at the latest. Your ballot has seven days — until Nov. 11 \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/pres-prim-march-2024?mc_cid=638980d345&mc_eid=b5c444f6a0\">— \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/pres-prim-march-2024?mc_cid=638980d345&mc_eid=b5c444f6a0\">to reach your county elections office.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So in this election, it’s more important than ever to make sure you have a plan to vote on time — and if you’re not voting in person, that means making sure your ballot is in a USPS mailbox, \u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\">a secure voting drop box, at a polling location\u003c/a> or your county elections office by the time polls close on Nov. 4.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re choosing to mail your ballot via USPS, keep in mind that the Postal Service must postmark your ballot envelope by the end of Election Day for your vote to count — and the last collection at many mailboxes is 5 p.m. So if it’s getting late on Nov. 4, consider using a county drop box instead of a USPS mailbox.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>A few other common ballot mistakes to watch out for …\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Make sure you use a black or blue pen:\u003c/strong> It reads better, and it doesn’t slow workers down when they have to check to see what voter intent was. (Don’t use a felt-tip or a Sharpie that bleeds through the paper and marks other pages on your ballot.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t mail an empty envelope:\u003c/strong> It does happen. Keeping your envelope and your ballot together in your home might be a helpful way of avoiding this problem. And, of course, when you’re ready to mail your ballot, make sure it’s actually inside the envelope before you seal it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t bother with a stamp:\u003c/strong> Your ballot envelope is postage-paid. You don’t need it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>And again, make sure you’re filling out the ballot — and signing the envelope — with \u003cem>your\u003c/em> name on it:\u003c/strong> It’s common to see roommates or family members accidentally mix up their ballot materials on the kitchen counter. So make sure you’re filling out the ballot and signing the envelope that bears your name.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11879395\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11879395\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2021/06/Oakland-by-Beth.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/06/Oakland-by-Beth.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/06/Oakland-by-Beth-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/06/Oakland-by-Beth-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/06/Oakland-by-Beth-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/06/Oakland-by-Beth-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bei Kao holds her ‘I Voted’ sticker after voting in Oakland on Oct. 27, 2020. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>And remember, you don’t \u003cem>have\u003c/em> to vote by mail\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Since 2020, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/vote-mail\">every registered voter in California now receives a mail-in ballot by default \u003c/a>without having to request it as in previous years. But voting by mail is still one option open to you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can still absolutely vote in person, either at an early voting location before or on Election Day. If you live in Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Sonoma, Vote Centers in your county open on Oct. 25 (or earlier in some cases), where you can go in person. Assigned voting locations will open a little later in San Francisco, Contra Costa or Solano for those counties’ voters, although some early voting sites will be available in those counties — for example, at your county elections office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\">See where early voting will open in your county.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"contact\">\u003c/a>Contact your county directly\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.acvote.org/index\">Alameda\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cocovote.us\">Contra Costa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">Marin\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\">send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">San Francisco\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">San Mateo\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">Solano\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">Sonoma\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bookmark \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voting-california/election-dates-and-resources\">the state’s full list of deadlines for the Nov. 4 election.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "You made a mistake on your ballot. What now? From signatures to how to correct an answer you didn't intend, we have answers to your questions about voting in the Nov. 4 election.",
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"title": "Election 2025: How to Correct a Mistake on Your Ballot | KQED",
"description": "You made a mistake on your ballot. What now? From signatures to how to correct an answer you didn't intend, we have answers to your questions about voting in the Nov. 4 election.",
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"headline": "Election 2025: How to Correct a Mistake on Your Ballot",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060657/elecciones-2025-cometio-un-error-al-llenar-su-boleta-electoral-le-explicamos-como-corregirlo\">Leer en español\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class=\"utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__dropcapShortcode__dropcap\">E\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>lection Day — your last day to vote — is on Tuesday, Nov. 4. And if you’re a registered California voter, your ballot should arrive in your mailbox soon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But what if you make a mistake on your ballot as you’re filling it out? Or are you just not sure how to fill it out in the first place?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading to learn how to fill out your ballot, how important your signature is and your options if you need to start again with a fresh ballot. Or jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#how-to-correct-mistake-ballot\">What are my Bay Area county’s rules on fixing ballot mistakes?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#signature-problem-ballot\">What happens if I messed up my signature on my ballot?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#date-on-ballot-envelope\">I’m worried I wrote the wrong date on my ballot’s envelope\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you’re looking for information about what’s on your ballot, take a look at KQED’s guides to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/proposition-50\">Proposition 50\u003c/a>, which proposes redrawing California’s congressional district lines (for all California voters)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/measure-a\">Measure A,\u003c/a> which proposes Santa Clara County increases its sales tax to fund county services (for Santa Clara voters only.)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>(And if you want to make sure you’re actually registered to vote correctly, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12003124/how-do-i-know-if-im-registered-to-vote-heres-how-to-check\">read our 2024 guide to checking your voter registration \u003c/a>— including why you might need to re-register.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12006905\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12006905\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_TikaHall_10062020_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_TikaHall_10062020_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_TikaHall_10062020_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_TikaHall_10062020_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_TikaHall_10062020_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_TikaHall_10062020_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/002_KQED_ElectionStockPhotos_TikaHall_10062020_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco resident fills out their mail-in ballot. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"how-to-correct-mistake-ballot\">\u003c/a>I messed up. How do I fix a mistake on my ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First, don’t panic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>People make mistakes on ballots, and they also find good ways to correct them. The job of county elections officials — once they’ve verified your signature — is to make sure your ballot can be read correctly. If that means that your corrections on your ballot have resulted in readability issues, officials working in teams of two will actually remake it for you according to the intent you’ve signaled with your corrections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The main thing to know is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to fixing a mistake on your ballot in California — how a voter corrects a goof is up to the county, and those instructions vary from place to place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your own county’s advice for how to fix a mistake on your ballot is almost certainly printed \u003cem>on\u003c/em> your ballot, so check there first. But here’s what each county’s registrar told KQED in 2024 about fixing a mistake, so scroll down to find your county or use the quick links below. If they sent us a visual guide, we’ve included that, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you have a specific question about your ballot that isn’t answered here, you can always \u003ca href=\"#contact\">contact your local county elections office for advice and instructions\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11842571\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11842571\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45341_023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45341_023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45341_023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45341_023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45341_023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45341_023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco resident hands their mail-in ballot to a US Postal Service employee. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alameda County’s ballot instructs voters to request a fresh ballot if they make a mistake, rather than try to correct it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"#how-to-get-new-ballot\">Jump straight to how you can get a new ballot\u003c/a>. You can also call the Alameda County Registrar of Voters at 510-267-8683 or 800-345-VOTE(8683) with questions about your individual ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you make a mistake, Contra Costa County Registrar Kristin Connelly told KQED that “A simple X through the oval of the incorrect choice and a filled-in oval on their correct choice is enough.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“[A]s long as we can determine what the voter’s intent is, we can make sure we count their vote correctly,” Connelly said. But if you’re still worried about your vote, you can always \u003ca href=\"#how-to-get-new-ballot\">ask for a replacement ballot,\u003c/a> to either mail back or use to vote in person.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s totally up to the voter and what makes them comfortable and secure that their vote will be counted,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>John Tuteur, Napa County Registrar of Voters, said that if someone makes a mistake on their ballot, like marking Yes when they meant to mark No, “they should circle the correct choice and draw an arrow to it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The county’s vote-counting machines — technically known as “optical scanner ballot tabulators” — will automatically flag and forward any ballot that shows an “overvote” like this (i.e., when a race has more answers than is permitted) to staff who are trained to adjudicate these things, and work out what that voter intended with their correction.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This process is all documented, Tuteur said, so elections staff always know which adjudicator reviewed which ballot and what they decided.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Steve Goltiao, associate communications officer with Santa Clara County’s Registrar of Voters, said you can “correct it by crossing out the wrong choice and filling out the correct oval as shown in the picture” below. You should not sign or initial the correction, Goltiao said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12005425\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 500px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12005425\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Ballot-mistake-EDIT.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Ballot-mistake-EDIT.png 500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Ballot-mistake-EDIT-160x32.png 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">How Santa Clara County recommends voters correct their ballot. \u003ccite>(Santa Clara Department of Elections)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You can also \u003ca href=\"#how-to-get-new-ballot\">request a replacement ballot\u003c/a> by calling 408-299-VOTE (8683) or toll-free 866-430-VOTE(8683). “Voters may also use the Remote Accessible Vote by Mail System (RAVBM) to download a copy of the ballot that can be printed and returned by mail,” Goltiao said. \u003ca href=\"https://vote.santaclaracounty.gov/vote-mail/how-mark-your-vote-mail-ballot\">Read more information for Santa Clara voters about marking and returning ballots.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“[V]oters can \u003ca href=\"#how-to-get-new-ballot\">request replacement ballots\u003c/a> if they make a mistake marking a selection,” San Francisco Department of Elections Director John Arntz told KQED. You can request a new ballot in person at your polling place and, from the San Francisco elections office at City Hall, and by \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/departments/department-elections\">calling or emailing the Department of Election (scroll to the bottom of this link for contact details.) \u003c/a>You can also use their \u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.org/tools/portal/\">Voter Portal\u003c/a> online to request a replacement ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if a voter doesn’t want to — or can’t — request a replacement ballot, Arntz said, “We tell them they can also cross out the incorrect selection, fill in the correct oval, and note on the card they made a mistake.” The reason this is OK, Artnz said, is because the vote-counting machines will recognize and flag any ballot that contains more than the allowed number of votes for a particular race. The ballot is then “moved to manual review or adjudication,” and elections staffers will personally look at the ballot to work out what the voter meant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When voters indicate they made a mistake, our personnel will remedy the overvote to reflect the voters’ intent, and the card is then tabulated,” Artnz said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12006099\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12006099\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/San-Mateo-voting.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/San-Mateo-voting.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/San-Mateo-voting-800x180.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/San-Mateo-voting-1020x229.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/San-Mateo-voting-160x36.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/San-Mateo-voting-1536x345.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">How San Mateo County recommends voters correct their ballot. \u003ccite>(San Mateo County)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Mark Church, San Mateo County’s assessor-county clerk-recorder and chief elections officer told KQED that “any additional markings a voter makes including an ‘X’ through a selection choice on the ballot” will cause the ballot to get flagged and placed in a “challenged” status. Then your ballot is sent to one of the county’s adjudication stations, where a staffer will determine how you meant to vote with your markings.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Thus, it is preferred that a voter \u003ca href=\"#how-to-get-new-ballot\">request a replacement ballot\u003c/a> if they make a mistake in marking their ballot,” Church said — which you can do in person by \u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\">visiting one of the county’s 49 Vote Centers\u003c/a> or calling the Elections Office at 650-312-5222.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“[L]ike lots of things, it kind of depends on the case and how close to election day it is,” Solano County Assistant Registrar of Voters John Gardner told KQED. But as a general rule, he encourages Solano voters to \u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.gov/government/registrar-voters\">“call our office and talk to staff so we can go through the options” or email them. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your options, which an elections staffer can go over with you, include writing notes on your ballot to make your intention clear (“i.e., add arrows to the correct choice and write ‘I want this one’ next to it or something like that,” Gardner said, so the human reviewing your ballot can understand it). You also will have ways to \u003ca href=\"#how-to-get-new-ballot\">receive a new ballot, \u003c/a>including requesting a totally fresh one, using a sample ballot or even printing a new one yourself from a secure site.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“[W]e do have a lot of options for voters, but it’s really best for them to get in touch with us to help them understand all the possibilities based on their situation and needs,” Gardner said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Voters should put an X over the incorrect choice and mark the correct one,” said Deva Proto, clerk-recorder-assessor and registrar of voters of Sonoma County. “Voters can also \u003ca href=\"#how-to-get-new-ballot\">request a replacement ballot\u003c/a>, if they feel more comfortable with that, or go to any in-person location to vote or get a replacement ballot.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember, there’s \u003cem>always\u003c/em> this option …\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Marin County voters “can X out the mistake and mark the correct vote,” Lynda Roberts, registrar of voters, told KQED. “As long as we can see their intent, we can count the vote.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Marin voters “should not initial or write their name next to the change, however, since ballots are to remain anonymous,” Roberts said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"how-to-get-new-ballot\">\u003c/a>What if I just want a new ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’ve made a big mistake on your ballot — too big to fix — your best plan of action may be to focus on getting a new one. You can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Call your county elections office and ask them to cancel that ballot and issue a new one to you\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Go to your county elections office with your spoiled ballot during business hours and vote right there at the counter\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Take advantage of the early voting options available in many counties\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Go to a voting site on Election Day, turn in your spoiled ballot there and get a new ballot\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You can also do this if you’ve accidentally damaged your ballot in some way (coffee spills happen.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11843241\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11843241\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45338_019_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45338_019_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45338_019_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45338_019_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45338_019_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/RS45338_019_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco resident puts on an ‘I Voted!’ sticker after completing their mail-in ballot. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"signature-problem-ballot\">\u003c/a>What if I have problems with my signature?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>When you’re done filling out your ballot, you must sign the envelope (\u003cem>not\u003c/em> the ballot itself, as they are meant to stay anonymous.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But a few big mistakes people can make with their signatures are:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Forgetting to sign their ballot envelope\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Accidentally signing the wrong ballot envelope in their household (i.e., mixing up your ballot with your partner’s or roommate’s ballot) or\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Making a signature that doesn’t match the signature they made when they registered to vote.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Why \u003cem>wouldn’t\u003c/em> your signature match the one on file? If you registered to vote at a young age, maybe your signature has changed over time. Or perhaps you registered to vote at the DMV and provided your signature on a screen with a stylus, which doesn’t quite replicate how you’d make your signature with a pen on paper.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you registered this way, one simple way to avoid any signature problems is to take a quick glance at the signature that’s on your driver’s license or state ID — because that’s usually the one you want your ballot signature to match.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even if you didn’t register at the DMV, that signature on your most recent license or state ID is still very likely the one to emulate. That’s because when you register to vote online, your county elections office electronically requests a copy of the signature the DMV \u003cem>currently\u003c/em> has for you, and this information is regularly updated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To further set your mind at rest, know that California isn’t an “exact match” state and doesn’t demand voters’ signatures 100% replicate the signature that’s on file.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>What if I just don’t know my ‘correct’ signature I’m registered to vote with?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re \u003cem>really\u003c/em> worried about the signature on your envelope not matching the signature you’re registered to vote with, there are two good solutions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One: If it’s on or before Oct. 20, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12003124/how-do-i-know-if-im-registered-to-vote-heres-how-to-check\">re-register to vote with your current signature\u003c/a> to be sure that the state now has your most recent one on file. If you are re-registering after Oct. 20, you’d need to complete the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\">same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Two: In 2021, Kim Alexander, president of the nonpartisan \u003ca href=\"https://www.calvoter.org/\">California Voter Foundation\u003c/a>, told us there’s another solution if you’re worried about your signature: Go vote in person, if you’re able.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s because the signature only goes on your ballot’s \u003cem>envelope\u003c/em> — and if you’re voting in person, that ballot goes straight into the ballot box without needing an envelope at all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So if you want that satisfaction of seeing your ballot drop in the box and know that it’s not going to get held up because of some signature issue, you can go and vote in person,” Alexander said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Thanks, KQED: I already mailed my ballot, but now I’m paranoid about my signature. What if I messed it up?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Rest assured: There’s a whole system in place to help you correct your mistake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your county’s election office detects a signature mismatch on your ballot, they’ll reach out to you via mail to verify and work with you to correct it so that your ballot can be counted after all. It’s called “curing” a ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This system is also applied when it looks like a member of a voter’s family might have signed their ballot instead of the voter. This happens a \u003cem>surprising\u003c/em> amount when one household has several voters who all receive a ballot in the mail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One way to get peace of mind: \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">Sign up to track your ballot\u003c/a>, and you’ll find out about any issues with your ballot or your signature quickly.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"date-on-ballot-envelope\">\u003c/a>I think I put the wrong date on my envelope\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First off, that date should be the date you signed your envelope — not your date of birth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you’re worried you messed up the date, don’t worry. Elections officials said that the date they’re \u003cem>really\u003c/em> looking for is the date that the ballot is postmarked to make sure it was submitted on time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Election officials will only truly scrutinize the date you’ve written if they receive your ballot \u003cem>after\u003c/em> Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you haven’t mailed your envelope yet, it’s an easy fix: Just clearly cross out the incorrect date on the envelope and write in the correct one above it.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What if I use assistive technology to complete forms?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Getting physical assistance with filling out your ballot from someone you trust is always fine, whether you’re voting at home or at a voting site. You just need to make sure your signature is your own and matches the one you’re registered to vote with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Disabled voters can also choose to use the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/remote-accessible-vote-mail\">Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail \u003c/a>system to vote privately and independently at home, using their usual assistive device on their home computer to fill out the ballot on their screen and then print and mail it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Every voting location in California is also equipped with an accessible voting unit. Here, voters who are blind, have low vision or have a disability that affects their dexterity can use an assistive device of their choice to vote privately and independently.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How can I make sure my mail-in ballot gets there on time?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Remember, one of the main reasons ballots are disqualified is because voters mail them too late — either after mailboxes have been collected on Election Day or after Election Day itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To be counted in this election, your ballot must be postmarked on Nov. 4 at the latest. Your ballot has seven days — until Nov. 11 \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/pres-prim-march-2024?mc_cid=638980d345&mc_eid=b5c444f6a0\">— \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/pres-prim-march-2024?mc_cid=638980d345&mc_eid=b5c444f6a0\">to reach your county elections office.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So in this election, it’s more important than ever to make sure you have a plan to vote on time — and if you’re not voting in person, that means making sure your ballot is in a USPS mailbox, \u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\">a secure voting drop box, at a polling location\u003c/a> or your county elections office by the time polls close on Nov. 4.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re choosing to mail your ballot via USPS, keep in mind that the Postal Service must postmark your ballot envelope by the end of Election Day for your vote to count — and the last collection at many mailboxes is 5 p.m. So if it’s getting late on Nov. 4, consider using a county drop box instead of a USPS mailbox.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>A few other common ballot mistakes to watch out for …\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Make sure you use a black or blue pen:\u003c/strong> It reads better, and it doesn’t slow workers down when they have to check to see what voter intent was. (Don’t use a felt-tip or a Sharpie that bleeds through the paper and marks other pages on your ballot.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t mail an empty envelope:\u003c/strong> It does happen. Keeping your envelope and your ballot together in your home might be a helpful way of avoiding this problem. And, of course, when you’re ready to mail your ballot, make sure it’s actually inside the envelope before you seal it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t bother with a stamp:\u003c/strong> Your ballot envelope is postage-paid. You don’t need it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>And again, make sure you’re filling out the ballot — and signing the envelope — with \u003cem>your\u003c/em> name on it:\u003c/strong> It’s common to see roommates or family members accidentally mix up their ballot materials on the kitchen counter. So make sure you’re filling out the ballot and signing the envelope that bears your name.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11879395\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11879395\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2021/06/Oakland-by-Beth.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/06/Oakland-by-Beth.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/06/Oakland-by-Beth-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/06/Oakland-by-Beth-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/06/Oakland-by-Beth-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/06/Oakland-by-Beth-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bei Kao holds her ‘I Voted’ sticker after voting in Oakland on Oct. 27, 2020. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>And remember, you don’t \u003cem>have\u003c/em> to vote by mail\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Since 2020, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/vote-mail\">every registered voter in California now receives a mail-in ballot by default \u003c/a>without having to request it as in previous years. But voting by mail is still one option open to you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can still absolutely vote in person, either at an early voting location before or on Election Day. If you live in Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Sonoma, Vote Centers in your county open on Oct. 25 (or earlier in some cases), where you can go in person. Assigned voting locations will open a little later in San Francisco, Contra Costa or Solano for those counties’ voters, although some early voting sites will be available in those counties — for example, at your county elections office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\">See where early voting will open in your county.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"contact\">\u003c/a>Contact your county directly\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.acvote.org/index\">Alameda\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cocovote.us\">Contra Costa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">Marin\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\">send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">San Francisco\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">San Mateo\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">Solano\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">Sonoma\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bookmark \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voting-california/election-dates-and-resources\">the state’s full list of deadlines for the Nov. 4 election.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>If you’re an Oakland resident, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12032042/oakland-special-election-candidate-guide-and-how-to-vote\">Tuesday is your last day to vote for a new mayor\u003c/a>, new city council member and whether to approve \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12032042/oakland-special-election-candidate-guide-and-how-to-vote\">Measure A\u003c/a>, which would increase the city’s sales tax by 0.5%.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your ballot for the special election will use a system known as “ranked choice voting” for the mayoral and city council races.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But how does ranked choice voting work in elections like these? Do you have to rank \u003ci>every \u003c/i>candidate in a race? And what happens if you rank your first choice multiple times?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what you need to know about ranked choice voting. You can also read more information about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12032042/oakland-special-election-candidate-guide-and-how-to-vote\">how to vote \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12032042/oakland-special-election-candidate-guide-and-how-to-vote\">in Oakland’s special election.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#ranked-choice-voting\">Do I have to fill in all the rankings available?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>In a nutshell, how does ranked choice voting work on my ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Without ranked choice voting, your ballot will ask you to pick your No. 1 choice of candidate for a particular office — and that’s it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ranked choice voting allows you to pick your first choice candidate, followed by your second choice, your third choice and so on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>How this looks on your ballot: the candidates will be listed with columns next to the names that say “First Choice,” “Second Choice,” “Third Choice,” etc. Next to your first choice candidate’s name, you’ll fill in the oval in the “First Choice” column. You can then repeat the process for your second choice and third choice until you’ve completed all the rankings you want to give.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12010668\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1916px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12010668\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ballot-RSV.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1916\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ballot-RSV.jpg 1916w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ballot-RSV-800x501.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ballot-RSV-1020x639.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ballot-RSV-160x100.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ballot-RSV-1536x962.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1916px) 100vw, 1916px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">How ranked choice voting looked on the 2024 Alameda County ballot \u003ccite>(Carly Severn/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>How are the votes then counted for those candidates?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Every voter’s first choices are counted — and if a single candidate gets more than 50% of everybody’s first choice votes, they win outright.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if no majority winner emerges from that first count of all the first choice votes, under ranked choice voting, the race then moves through several rounds of counting until a winner emerges:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">The candidate who got the fewest first choice votes is eliminated first;\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">Voters who ranked that candidate as their first choice then have those votes count for their second choice instead;\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">And so on, and so on, until one candidate has a majority.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>This video breaks it down:\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px\" cite=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqednews/video/7430943207812255019\" data-video-id=\"7430943207812255019\">\n\u003csection>\u003ca title=\"@kqednews\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqednews?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@kqednews\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"♬ original sound - KQED News\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7430943145893219118?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">♬ original sound – KQED News\u003c/a>\u003c/section>\n\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>[tiktok]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How many rankings do I get on my ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>It depends on what ballot you have — what county or city you live in and what race is being voted on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, the 2024 mayoral race offered you ten spots to rank the 13 candidates. In the 2024 Berkeley mayoral race, the ballot had five rankings available for five candidates.\u003cbr>\n[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"ranked-choice-voting\">\u003c/a>Do I have to fill in all the available rankings? Can’t I just vote for my top candidate and leave it at that?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You can rank as many — or as few — candidates as you would like, as allowed by your ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your first choice candidate in a race is polling ahead of their challengers because they’ll probably be the first choice of many other voters, it’s unlikely that person would be eliminated until the final round. In that scenario, your second choice vote wouldn’t even be counted. This is one scenario in which voters might choose to only rank their first choice candidate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But in most other cases, if your first choice candidate is eliminated and you \u003ci>didn’t \u003c/i>rank an additional second, third or fourth choice candidate you’d be effectively giving up your say in who else — beyond your first choice — should advance in the race.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if there’s a candidate you really \u003ci>don’t \u003c/i>want to see elected, remember: you don’t have to include them in your rankings at all (as opposed to say, ranking them last.)[aside postID=news_12032042 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/14772659073_f7e7f00d0a_k_qed.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What happens if I just rank my top candidate as my first choice, my second choice \u003ci>and \u003c/i>my third choice?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Ranking your top candidate more than once does not help them. In this scenario, if your first choice is knocked out, your second and third candidates can’t be counted — because they were the same as your first choice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So you missed some influence in the rounds of voting because at some point you have no more choices,” Lisa Bryant, associate professor and chair of the political science department at California State University, Fresno, told KQED in 2024. “And they can’t tabulate [your first choice] for four additional rounds where that person no longer exists in the running.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Some people might consider that a wasted vote,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What’s the benefit of ranking several candidates this way?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Ultimately, Bryant said, “The idea behind ranked choice voting is that even if you didn’t get your first choice, you were more likely to get somebody that wasn’t your last choice.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In what Bryant called a “hyper-polarized” election climate, she said that according to ranked choice voting advocates, this system can give voters “more of a reason to vote \u003ci>for \u003c/i>people, and to look for the positives and to look at what their platforms actually look like.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ranked choice voting also eliminates the need for second, runoff elections — usually held a month later — when a clear winner did not emerge from the first election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Not only are special elections “really expensive, especially in California,” Bryant said, “unless you have two really charismatic [candidates] and a really contentious race going on, it doesn’t really drive turnout the way a general election does.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story contains reporting by KQED’s Scott Shafer.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>If you’re an Oakland resident, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12032042/oakland-special-election-candidate-guide-and-how-to-vote\">Tuesday is your last day to vote for a new mayor\u003c/a>, new city council member and whether to approve \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12032042/oakland-special-election-candidate-guide-and-how-to-vote\">Measure A\u003c/a>, which would increase the city’s sales tax by 0.5%.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your ballot for the special election will use a system known as “ranked choice voting” for the mayoral and city council races.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But how does ranked choice voting work in elections like these? Do you have to rank \u003ci>every \u003c/i>candidate in a race? And what happens if you rank your first choice multiple times?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what you need to know about ranked choice voting. You can also read more information about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12032042/oakland-special-election-candidate-guide-and-how-to-vote\">how to vote \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12032042/oakland-special-election-candidate-guide-and-how-to-vote\">in Oakland’s special election.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#ranked-choice-voting\">Do I have to fill in all the rankings available?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>In a nutshell, how does ranked choice voting work on my ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Without ranked choice voting, your ballot will ask you to pick your No. 1 choice of candidate for a particular office — and that’s it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ranked choice voting allows you to pick your first choice candidate, followed by your second choice, your third choice and so on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>How this looks on your ballot: the candidates will be listed with columns next to the names that say “First Choice,” “Second Choice,” “Third Choice,” etc. Next to your first choice candidate’s name, you’ll fill in the oval in the “First Choice” column. You can then repeat the process for your second choice and third choice until you’ve completed all the rankings you want to give.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12010668\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1916px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12010668\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ballot-RSV.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1916\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ballot-RSV.jpg 1916w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ballot-RSV-800x501.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ballot-RSV-1020x639.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ballot-RSV-160x100.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Ballot-RSV-1536x962.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1916px) 100vw, 1916px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">How ranked choice voting looked on the 2024 Alameda County ballot \u003ccite>(Carly Severn/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>How are the votes then counted for those candidates?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Every voter’s first choices are counted — and if a single candidate gets more than 50% of everybody’s first choice votes, they win outright.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if no majority winner emerges from that first count of all the first choice votes, under ranked choice voting, the race then moves through several rounds of counting until a winner emerges:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">The candidate who got the fewest first choice votes is eliminated first;\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">Voters who ranked that candidate as their first choice then have those votes count for their second choice instead;\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">And so on, and so on, until one candidate has a majority.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>This video breaks it down:\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px\" cite=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqednews/video/7430943207812255019\" data-video-id=\"7430943207812255019\">\n\u003csection>\u003ca title=\"@kqednews\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqednews?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@kqednews\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"♬ original sound - KQED News\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7430943145893219118?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">♬ original sound – KQED News\u003c/a>\u003c/section>\n\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How many rankings do I get on my ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>It depends on what ballot you have — what county or city you live in and what race is being voted on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, the 2024 mayoral race offered you ten spots to rank the 13 candidates. In the 2024 Berkeley mayoral race, the ballot had five rankings available for five candidates.\u003cbr>\n\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"ranked-choice-voting\">\u003c/a>Do I have to fill in all the available rankings? Can’t I just vote for my top candidate and leave it at that?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You can rank as many — or as few — candidates as you would like, as allowed by your ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your first choice candidate in a race is polling ahead of their challengers because they’ll probably be the first choice of many other voters, it’s unlikely that person would be eliminated until the final round. In that scenario, your second choice vote wouldn’t even be counted. This is one scenario in which voters might choose to only rank their first choice candidate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But in most other cases, if your first choice candidate is eliminated and you \u003ci>didn’t \u003c/i>rank an additional second, third or fourth choice candidate you’d be effectively giving up your say in who else — beyond your first choice — should advance in the race.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if there’s a candidate you really \u003ci>don’t \u003c/i>want to see elected, remember: you don’t have to include them in your rankings at all (as opposed to say, ranking them last.)\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What happens if I just rank my top candidate as my first choice, my second choice \u003ci>and \u003c/i>my third choice?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Ranking your top candidate more than once does not help them. In this scenario, if your first choice is knocked out, your second and third candidates can’t be counted — because they were the same as your first choice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So you missed some influence in the rounds of voting because at some point you have no more choices,” Lisa Bryant, associate professor and chair of the political science department at California State University, Fresno, told KQED in 2024. “And they can’t tabulate [your first choice] for four additional rounds where that person no longer exists in the running.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Some people might consider that a wasted vote,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What’s the benefit of ranking several candidates this way?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Ultimately, Bryant said, “The idea behind ranked choice voting is that even if you didn’t get your first choice, you were more likely to get somebody that wasn’t your last choice.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In what Bryant called a “hyper-polarized” election climate, she said that according to ranked choice voting advocates, this system can give voters “more of a reason to vote \u003ci>for \u003c/i>people, and to look for the positives and to look at what their platforms actually look like.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ranked choice voting also eliminates the need for second, runoff elections — usually held a month later — when a clear winner did not emerge from the first election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Not only are special elections “really expensive, especially in California,” Bryant said, “unless you have two really charismatic [candidates] and a really contentious race going on, it doesn’t really drive turnout the way a general election does.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story contains reporting by KQED’s Scott Shafer.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>Election Day is finally here. And if you’ve already voted — either in person or by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12012472/election-2024-where-do-i-vote-in-person-find-my-polling-place\">submitting your mail-in ballot \u003c/a>— all there’s left to do is wait. Especially as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12012418/when-election-results-2024-california-presidential-race\">the results of the neck-and-neck presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump may take a while.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One positive, actionable step you can take? Go online and use the state’s \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">“Where’s My Ballot?”\u003c/a> tool to confirm that your county election officials received your ballot and will be counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This way, you’ll know that your vote and your voice were heard in California, from the presidential election to the state propositions and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\">local measures that can affect the lives of everyone in our communities\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#ballot-rejected\">Why was my ballot rejected, and what can I do?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You’ll also be alerted in the case that there’s an issue with your ballot, giving you time to work with your local election officials to fix any problems. This process is called “curing” your ballot so that your vote can still be counted, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11840343/how-to-make-sure-your-mail-in-ballot-isnt-rejected-in-california\">there’s a whole system in place\u003c/a> to help you do that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for everything to know about tracking your ballot and what you can do if the tool flags an issue with counting your vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch3>How to use California’s ‘Where’s My Ballot’ tool\u003c/h3>\n\u003cp>Visit the state’s \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">“Where’s My Ballot?”\u003c/a> site and put in your details: name, date of birth and ZIP code. If you \u003ca href=\"https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/pdfs/ballottrax-troubleshooting.pdf\">registered to vote with a mailing address that’s different from your residential address\u003c/a>, use your residential address ZIP code.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The tool will then show you the status of your ballot. By hitting “Details,” you can expand the notes and see exactly where your ballot is in the process.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012093\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1037px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012093\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/ballot-status.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1037\" height=\"877\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/ballot-status.png 1037w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/ballot-status-800x677.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/ballot-status-1020x863.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/ballot-status-160x135.png 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A screenshot from the “Where’s My Ballot” tool showing a ballot that the voter’s county has accepted. \u003ccite>(BallotTrax)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you see this “Completed” message, your work is done, and you can rest a little easier knowing your ballot is being counted and your voice will be heard in this election.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"ballot-rejected\">\u003c/a>Help: I’m seeing a message saying my ballot has been ‘Rejected’?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If your ballot shows as ‘Rejected: Curable’, you’ll see a message saying “there is an issue with your returned ballot and it can’t be accepted.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But as scary as the word “rejected” is, \u003cem>don’t\u003c/em> panic: “curable” means that the problem with your ballot is one that can, luckily, be resolved.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Why might a ballot be initially rejected but curable? It’s most likely an issue with your signature: you might have forgotten to sign your ballot envelope entirely or have made a signature that doesn’t match the one on your voter registration. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12003469/election-2024-how-to-correct-a-mistake-on-your-ballot-correction#signature-problem-ballot\">Read more about common issues with signatures on ballots and how they get fixed.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12010929\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1993px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12010929\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-e1729796712493.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1993\" height=\"1323\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-e1729796712493.jpg 1993w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-e1729796712493-800x531.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-e1729796712493-1020x677.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-e1729796712493-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-e1729796712493-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-e1729796712493-1920x1275.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1993px) 100vw, 1993px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A Bay Area resident prepares to fill out their mail-in ballot in 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In these cases, your county elections office will reach out to you — almost certainly by mail — to “cure” (resolve) the issue with your ballot so that your vote can be counted after all. For example, if there was an issue with your signature, you’ll be sent a form to sign again, which you’ll then mail back to your county elections office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Where’s My Ballot will also show you a message telling you that if your ballot has been rejected and is curable, but if you don’t receive “a letter or postcard from your county within 7 days of the election,” you should contact your county elections office yourself by phone or email. \u003ca href=\"#find-my-county-elections-office\">Find your county elections office’s contact details in our list.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even if that mailer from your county elections office doesn’t arrive soon, don’t stress: \u003ca href=\"https://www.calvoter.org/content/close-count-transparency-project#template\">Your county has a whole month after Election Day — until Dec. 5 — to resolve these kinds of issues\u003c/a> with voters and certify the election results.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>What if my ballot can’t be cured?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In some cases, Where’s My Ballot will show a message that your ballot has been “Rejected,” with no note about it being curable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, this happens when your ballot is not received in time or your ballot is missing from the envelope. It means the issue with your ballot can’t be resolved, and your vote will not be counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To be counted by your county elections office, your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day (Nov. 5) at the latest and reach them by Nov. 12. One way to ensure your ballot arrives on time to be counted is to submit it into an official elections drop-box, or hand-deliver it at your closest open voting location before polls close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12008419/ballot-drop-off-location-near-me-early-voting-site-election-2024\">Find where to submit your ballot near you.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another reason \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12003469/election-2024-how-to-correct-a-mistake-on-your-ballot-correction\">some ballots arrive too late to be counted:\u003c/a> voters place them in a USPS mailbox on Election Day that’s already had its last collection for the day, which in many areas is 5 p.m. or earlier. Make sure to check the last pick-up time on a mailbox before dropping in your ballot, and if you’re unsure, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12008419/ballot-drop-off-location-near-me-early-voting-site-election-2024\">deliver it by hand to a voting location or into an official drop-box before polls close instead\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12008918\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2121px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12008918\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099.jpg\" alt=\"A young woman places her absentee voter ballot for the 2020 presidential election into a blue United States Postal mailbox.\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099.jpg 2121w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2121px) 100vw, 2121px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A young woman places her absentee voter ballot for the presidential election into a blue United States Postal mailbox. \u003ccite>(Spiderstock via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"find-my-county-elections-office\">\u003c/a>Contact your county directly about your ballot\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.acvote.org/index\">Alameda\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cocovote.us/\">Contra Costa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">Marin\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\">send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org/\">San Francisco\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">San Mateo\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call toll-free at 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">Solano\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or toll-free at 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">Sonoma\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story contains reporting from Lisa Pickoff-White.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"headline": "How Do I Know My Ballot Was Counted in the 2024 Election? Here's How to Check",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Election Day is finally here. And if you’ve already voted — either in person or by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12012472/election-2024-where-do-i-vote-in-person-find-my-polling-place\">submitting your mail-in ballot \u003c/a>— all there’s left to do is wait. Especially as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12012418/when-election-results-2024-california-presidential-race\">the results of the neck-and-neck presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump may take a while.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One positive, actionable step you can take? Go online and use the state’s \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">“Where’s My Ballot?”\u003c/a> tool to confirm that your county election officials received your ballot and will be counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This way, you’ll know that your vote and your voice were heard in California, from the presidential election to the state propositions and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\">local measures that can affect the lives of everyone in our communities\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#ballot-rejected\">Why was my ballot rejected, and what can I do?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You’ll also be alerted in the case that there’s an issue with your ballot, giving you time to work with your local election officials to fix any problems. This process is called “curing” your ballot so that your vote can still be counted, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11840343/how-to-make-sure-your-mail-in-ballot-isnt-rejected-in-california\">there’s a whole system in place\u003c/a> to help you do that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for everything to know about tracking your ballot and what you can do if the tool flags an issue with counting your vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch3>How to use California’s ‘Where’s My Ballot’ tool\u003c/h3>\n\u003cp>Visit the state’s \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">“Where’s My Ballot?”\u003c/a> site and put in your details: name, date of birth and ZIP code. If you \u003ca href=\"https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/pdfs/ballottrax-troubleshooting.pdf\">registered to vote with a mailing address that’s different from your residential address\u003c/a>, use your residential address ZIP code.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The tool will then show you the status of your ballot. By hitting “Details,” you can expand the notes and see exactly where your ballot is in the process.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012093\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1037px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012093\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/ballot-status.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1037\" height=\"877\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/ballot-status.png 1037w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/ballot-status-800x677.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/ballot-status-1020x863.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/ballot-status-160x135.png 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A screenshot from the “Where’s My Ballot” tool showing a ballot that the voter’s county has accepted. \u003ccite>(BallotTrax)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you see this “Completed” message, your work is done, and you can rest a little easier knowing your ballot is being counted and your voice will be heard in this election.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"ballot-rejected\">\u003c/a>Help: I’m seeing a message saying my ballot has been ‘Rejected’?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If your ballot shows as ‘Rejected: Curable’, you’ll see a message saying “there is an issue with your returned ballot and it can’t be accepted.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But as scary as the word “rejected” is, \u003cem>don’t\u003c/em> panic: “curable” means that the problem with your ballot is one that can, luckily, be resolved.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Why might a ballot be initially rejected but curable? It’s most likely an issue with your signature: you might have forgotten to sign your ballot envelope entirely or have made a signature that doesn’t match the one on your voter registration. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12003469/election-2024-how-to-correct-a-mistake-on-your-ballot-correction#signature-problem-ballot\">Read more about common issues with signatures on ballots and how they get fixed.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12010929\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1993px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12010929\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-e1729796712493.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1993\" height=\"1323\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-e1729796712493.jpg 1993w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-e1729796712493-800x531.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-e1729796712493-1020x677.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-e1729796712493-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-e1729796712493-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-e1729796712493-1920x1275.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1993px) 100vw, 1993px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A Bay Area resident prepares to fill out their mail-in ballot in 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In these cases, your county elections office will reach out to you — almost certainly by mail — to “cure” (resolve) the issue with your ballot so that your vote can be counted after all. For example, if there was an issue with your signature, you’ll be sent a form to sign again, which you’ll then mail back to your county elections office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Where’s My Ballot will also show you a message telling you that if your ballot has been rejected and is curable, but if you don’t receive “a letter or postcard from your county within 7 days of the election,” you should contact your county elections office yourself by phone or email. \u003ca href=\"#find-my-county-elections-office\">Find your county elections office’s contact details in our list.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even if that mailer from your county elections office doesn’t arrive soon, don’t stress: \u003ca href=\"https://www.calvoter.org/content/close-count-transparency-project#template\">Your county has a whole month after Election Day — until Dec. 5 — to resolve these kinds of issues\u003c/a> with voters and certify the election results.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>What if my ballot can’t be cured?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In some cases, Where’s My Ballot will show a message that your ballot has been “Rejected,” with no note about it being curable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, this happens when your ballot is not received in time or your ballot is missing from the envelope. It means the issue with your ballot can’t be resolved, and your vote will not be counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To be counted by your county elections office, your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day (Nov. 5) at the latest and reach them by Nov. 12. One way to ensure your ballot arrives on time to be counted is to submit it into an official elections drop-box, or hand-deliver it at your closest open voting location before polls close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12008419/ballot-drop-off-location-near-me-early-voting-site-election-2024\">Find where to submit your ballot near you.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another reason \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12003469/election-2024-how-to-correct-a-mistake-on-your-ballot-correction\">some ballots arrive too late to be counted:\u003c/a> voters place them in a USPS mailbox on Election Day that’s already had its last collection for the day, which in many areas is 5 p.m. or earlier. Make sure to check the last pick-up time on a mailbox before dropping in your ballot, and if you’re unsure, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12008419/ballot-drop-off-location-near-me-early-voting-site-election-2024\">deliver it by hand to a voting location or into an official drop-box before polls close instead\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12008918\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2121px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12008918\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099.jpg\" alt=\"A young woman places her absentee voter ballot for the 2020 presidential election into a blue United States Postal mailbox.\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099.jpg 2121w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/GettyImages-1271621099-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2121px) 100vw, 2121px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A young woman places her absentee voter ballot for the presidential election into a blue United States Postal mailbox. \u003ccite>(Spiderstock via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"find-my-county-elections-office\">\u003c/a>Contact your county directly about your ballot\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.acvote.org/index\">Alameda\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cocovote.us/\">Contra Costa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">Marin\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\">send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org/\">San Francisco\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">San Mateo\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call toll-free at 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">Solano\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or toll-free at 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">Sonoma\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story contains reporting from Lisa Pickoff-White.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"order": 1
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"id": "code-switch-life-kit",
"title": "Code Switch / Life Kit",
"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
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"meta": {
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"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
"airtime": "THU 10pm, FRI 1am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Commonwealth-Club-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
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"meta": {
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"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
},
"link": "/radio/program/commonwealth-club",
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
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},
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"id": "forum",
"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9am-11am, 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Forum with Mina Kim and Alexis Madrigal",
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 9
},
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM5NTU3MzgxNjMz",
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"id": "freakonomics-radio",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "http://freakonomics.com/",
"airtime": "SUN 1am-2am, SAT 3pm-4pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/freakonomics-radio",
"subscribe": {
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
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},
"fresh-air": {
"id": "fresh-air",
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"link": "/radio/program/fresh-air",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=214089682&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
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"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
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"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510051/podcast.xml"
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},
"hidden-brain": {
"id": "hidden-brain",
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"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
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"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
"meta": {
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"source": "NPR"
},
"link": "/radio/program/hidden-brain",
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},
"how-i-built-this": {
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"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/howIBuiltThis.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this",
"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
"meta": {
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"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
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"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/3zxy",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297?mt=2",
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"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
"title": "Hyphenación",
"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
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"order": 15
},
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},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"meta": {
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"order": 18
},
"link": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
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},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
"meta": {
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},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
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"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
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"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
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},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Masters-of-Scale-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
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"source": "WaitWhat"
},
"link": "/radio/program/masters-of-scale",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "http://mastersofscale.app.link/",
"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
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}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Morning-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
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"link": "/radio/program/morning-edition"
},
"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "On Our Watch from NPR and KQED",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1567098962",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ucHIub3JnLzUxMDM2MC9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbD9zYz1nb29nbGVwb2RjYXN0cw",
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"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/show/on-our-watch",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510360/podcast.xml"
}
},
"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm-3pm, MON 12am-1am",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/onTheMedia.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/otm",
"meta": {
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"source": "wnyc"
},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-media/id73330715?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-the-Media-p69/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/onthemedia"
}
},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
"title": "PBS NewsHour",
"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/",
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"source": "pbs"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pbs-newshour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pbs-newshour-full-show/id394432287?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
"rss": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/feeds/rss/podcasts/show"
}
},
"perspectives": {
"id": "perspectives",
"title": "Perspectives",
"tagline": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991",
"info": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Perspectives_Tile_Final.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Perspectives",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/perspectives/",
"meta": {
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 14
},
"link": "/perspectives",
"subscribe": {
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"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432309616/perspectives",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/perspectives/category/perspectives/feed/",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93dzIua3FlZC5vcmcvcGVyc3BlY3RpdmVzL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BlcnNwZWN0aXZlcy9mZWVkLw"
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},
"planet-money": {
"id": "planet-money",
"title": "Planet Money",
"info": "The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy. Now imagine that's actually a fun evening.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/planetmoney.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/sections/money/",
"meta": {
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"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/planet-money",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/M4f5",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/Planet-Money-p164680/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510289/podcast.xml"
}
},
"politicalbreakdown": {
"id": "politicalbreakdown",
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