Ballot drop boxes have opened across California just as voters begin receiving their mail-in ballots for the upcoming general election.
From choosing the nextstate governor to deciding on 14 ballot propositions, voters will make decisions that will shape the Golden State's future.
Though Election Day is four weeks away, state officials are encouraging voters to cast their ballots early.
"Californians, it’s time to vote! Check your mailbox and make sure you return your ballot as soon as possible," Gov. Gavin Newsom said in an Oct. 6 statement. "In the Golden State, we cherish democracy and work hard to make sure people participate, and results are safeguarded."
Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber echoed the sentiment.
“I encourage Californians to
return their completed ballot as soon as possible, using one of several safe and secure options available to them," Weber said in an Oct. 6 statement. "Fulfill your civic duty early - vote now, and have your voice heard.”
As Election Day nears, here's how to find a nearby ballot drop box and track your ballot.
When are ballot drop boxes open in California?
Drop boxes opened Monday, Oct. 5, and will remain available 24 hours a day through Election Day on Nov. 3, when polls close at 8 p.m.
Finding a nearby ballot drop box
To find the nearest drop box, you can visit the California Secretary of State's website here: caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov.
Once you're on the webpage, scroll down to the search tool to look up drop box locations and early voting sites, which also opened on Oct. 5.
You can search for a ballot drop box by selecting a county or by entering a city or ZIP code. You can narrow your results to show only drop box locations within a 10-mile radius of the city or ZIP code you entered.
The listings display nearby ballot drop boxes and their addresses. You can also view the listings on a map.
How ballot drop boxes are secured
"Ballot drop boxes are secure, locked boxes that are clearly marked as an 'Official Ballot Drop Box,'" according to the California Secretary of State.
With both state and federal law prohibiting the tampering with the election process, ballot drop boxes are "under heavy safeguards to protect ballots returned by voters," state officials said.
"The typical drop box is made of heavy high-grade metal, which is bolted to the ground and is equipped with additional security features such as tamper-evident seals, minimal ballot insertion size, locks, and water/fireproof materials," officials said, adding that often the drop boxes are in public locations with 24-hour video surveillance.
Two county workers collect ballots from the drop boxes regularly, state officials said. From there, they transport the ballots back to county election offices in a sealable or lockable container.
How to track your ballot
California offers a statewide ballot‑tracking service called “Where’s My Ballot?” The service, powered by BallotTrax, lets voters see when their vote‑by‑mail ballot is mailed, received, and counted.
Voters can sign up for the service by visiting the BallotTrax website.
Once you arrive on the webpage, you can navigate to the form on the right side of the webpage, where you will be prompted to provide the following:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Residential ZIP code
Then click "register/log in" to go to a contact preferences page. From there, you can select the kinds of alerts you want to opt into, including email, text, or phone updates.
The updates include:
- When a ballot has been delivered
- The date that a voter's ballot is expected to be delivered to the voter
- If a voter's ballot is returned as undeliverable to the county elections official by the USPS
- When a voter's completed ballot has been received by the county
- Whether a voter's completed ballot has been accepted, or the reason why the ballot could not be accepted, and instructions on the steps the voter can take in order to have the ballot accepted
- The deadline for a voter to return his or her ballot if the county has not received a voter's completed ballot by the specified dates, as determined by the county elections official
You can also limit the hours during which messages can be sent and choose from 10 different language preferences.
The website should then take you to a page showing your ballot status, such as when it was mailed or whether it has been delivered to your address.
After signing up for the Where's My Ballot service, you should get confirmation via email, text, or phone, depending on which alerts you've opted to receive.
Key dates for California's November general election
Here are some key upcoming dates for California's general election in November:
- Oct. 19: Last day to register to vote in the general election
- Oct. 20: Same-day registration is available
- Oct. 20: Voter's Choice Act counties open vote centers
- Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Dec. 3: Last day for county election officials to certify election results
- Dec. 4: County election officials will send the California Secretary of State a complete copy of the general election returns
- Dec. 11: Statement of Vote certified by the California Secretary of State
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California ballot drop boxes are open. Here's how to find one
