Voting By Mail

Alameda County’s Official Mail-in Voting System

Here are some of the reasons to consider applying for Vote By Mail:

• Ease and convenience for you – You won’t have to schedule time to get to the polls or wait in line to cast your ballot. That means you can be assured that your voice will be heard in every election—no matter how busy your daily life is.
• More thoughtful and informed voting – You can mark your ballot in the comfort of your own home, when you have time to carefully evaluate each issue and candidate. This creates a more thoughtful democratic process.
• Complete accuracy and security – Manual signature verification of every ballot protects against fraud. The signature on every mail in ballot envelope is compared to the signature on the voter registration record. This not only protects your vote, but also ensures one person, one vote. Also, the paper ballot is available if a manual recount is ever necessary.
• Cost savings to the county and its taxpayers – Voting by mail reduces expenses at the polling places, with fewer staff and less equipment required.
• It’s your right – Section 3201 of the California Elections Code states that any voter can vote by mail. Once you apply, you’ll be permanently registered and you’ll automatically receive ballots in the mail within 29 days of each election in which you are eligible to vote.** You can still vote at your polling station if you wish—simply turn in your ballot and envelope at the polls and vote a regular ballot.

Any registered voter may vote by mail. Mail Ballot requests made by mail must be received by the Registrar of Voters office seven (7) days before an election. Within 7 days of an election, you may apply for a mail ballot in person or by authorized representation at the Registrar of Voters office.

Voters may apply by either of the following 2 methods:

1. Click the following link to download and print your official Vote By Mail* application form. Then sign it and mail it to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.
   
   Download Vote By Mail Application (406 KB)
   
   
2. Mail a letter of application to:
   Registrar of Voters
   PO Box 24224
   Oakland CA 94623


Your letter must state your name, residence address in Alameda County, the address to which the ballot is to be mailed (if different than your residence) and your signature. You may also fax your request to 510-272-6982.

With Vote By Mail, it’s more effortless than ever to have your vote count.

* Vote By Mail is formerly known as Absentee Voting. The application is provided in Portable Document Format (PDF). You will need the free Adobe Reader.

** If you fail to vote in two consecutive General Elections, you’ll need to re-apply for Vote By Mail in order to regain your permanent Mail Voter status.