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Ballot Drop Box

Drop Box

 

November 5, 2024 General Election

There are convenient and secure Ballot Drop Box locations open and available to voters throughout their communities.

FIND A BALLOT DROP BOX

Make Your Plan to Vote

Our easy-to-use "Make a Plan to Vote" tool will guide you through the ways you can securely cast your ballot. 

MAKE YOUR PLAN TO VOTE

About the Vote by Mail Drop Box Program

The Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Box program started in 2017 as an initiative to provide voters with a secure alternative option to return their ballot.

Ballot Drop Boxes provide voters with a safe, accessible, and contact free method to return their voted ballot.


What You Need to Know

  • Drop Boxes are available to voters beginning 29 days before and on Election Day
  • Drop Boxes close at 8 PM on Election Day
  • Drop Boxes are bolted securely into cement or chained in place
  • Drop Boxes are designed with security features identified in state regulations
  • Drop Boxes have an exterior coating to reduce permanent graffiti or damage
  • Ballots are picked up regularly by two Election Workers
  • The County works with law enforcement agencies, cities, local stakeholders, and community-based organizations to monitor and safeguard all boxes

Ballot Return Checklist

Before you drop off your Vote by Mail ballot make sure:

  • Place your voted ballot card(s) inside the Official Return Envelope
  • Securely seal the Official Return Envelope
  • Sign and date the back of the Official Return Envelope

How to Check if Your Ballot was Received and Counted

After returning your voted ballot via Drop Box or by mail you can check your ballot to make sure it was received and tallied through our Vote by Mail Status Tool.


Report an Issue with a Ballot Drop Box

It is our mission to uphold the integrity of all elections in a transparent and accessible manner. If you see something that looks suspicious, report it!

REPORT AN ISSUE


Electioneering Prohibited!

Violations Can Lead to Fines and/or Imprisonment

Where?

  • Within the immediate vicinity of a person in line to cast their ballot or within 100 feet of the entrance of a polling place, curbside voting or drop box the following activities are prohibited.

What activities are prohibited?

  • DO NOT ask a person to vote for or against any candidate or ballot measure.
  • DO NOT display a candidate’s name, image, or logo.
  • DO NOT block access to or loiter near any ballot drop boxes.
  • DO NOT provide any material or audible information for or against any candidate or ballot measure near any polling place, vote center, or ballot drop box.
  • DO NOT circulate any petitions, including for initiatives, referenda, recall, or candidate nominations.
  • DO NOT distribute, display, or wear any clothing (hats, shirts, signs, buttons, stickers) that include a candidate’s name, image, logo, and/or support or oppose any candidate or ballot measure.
  • DO NOT display information or speak to a voter about the voter’s eligibility to vote.
  • The electioneering prohibitions summarized above are set forth in Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Division 18 of the California Elections Code.

Corrupting the Voting Process is Prohibited!

Violations Can Lead to Fines and/or Imprisonment

What activities are prohibited?

  • DO NOT commit or attempt to commit election fraud.
  • DO NOT provide any sort of compensation or bribery to, in any fashion or by any means induce or attempt to induce, a person to vote or refrain from voting.
  • DO NOT illegally vote.
  • DO NOT attempt to vote or aide another to vote when not entitled to vote.
  • DO NOT engage in electioneering; photograph or record a voter entering or exiting a polling place; or obstruct ingress, egress, or parking.
  • DO NOT challenge a person’s right to vote or prevent voters from voting; delay the process of voting; or fraudulently advise any person that he or she is not eligible to vote or is not registered to vote.
  • DO NOT attempt to ascertain how a voter voted their ballot.
  • DO NOT possess or arrange for someone to possess a firearm in the immediate vicinity of a polling place, with some exceptions.
  • DO NOT appear or arrange for someone to appear in the uniform of a peace officer, guard, or security personnel in the immediate vicinity of a polling place, with some exceptions.
  • DO NOT tamper or interfere with any component of a voting system.
  • DO NOT forge, counterfeit, or tamper with the returns of an election.
  • DO NOT alter the returns of an election.
  • DO NOT tamper with, destroy, or alter any polling list, official ballot, or ballot container.
  • DO NOT display any unofficial ballot collection container that may deceive a voter into believing it is an official collection box.
  • DO NOT tamper or interfere with copy of the results of votes cast.
  • DO NOT coerce or deceive a person who cannot read or an elder into voting for or against a candidate or measure contrary to their intent.
  • DO NOT act as an election officer when you are not one.
  • EMPLOYERS cannot require or ask their employee to bring their vote by mail ballot to work or ask their employee to vote their ballot at work. At the time of payment of salary or wages, employers cannot enclose materials that attempt to influence the political opinions or actions of their employee.
  • PRECINCT BOARD MEMBERS cannot attempt to determine how a voter voted their ballot or, if that information is discovered, disclose how a voter voted their ballot.
  • The prohibitions on activity related to corruption of the voting process summarized above are set forth in Chapter 6 of Division 18 of the California Elections Code.

To view or download this information in pdf format, click here.

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