How to Vote

You have two choices when voting. You may vote in person at a polling place in your county or you may vote by mail. You do not have to vote in every contest on your ballot. Your vote will be counted for each contest you vote in. For more information about your voting rights, see page 79 of this guide.

Voting at the Polling Place on Election Day

When you arrive at your polling place, a poll worker will ask for your name and check the official list of registered voters for that polling place. After you sign next to your name on the list, the poll worker will give you a paper ballot, unique passcode, or computer memory card, depending on the voting system your county uses. Go to a private booth and start voting.

Poll workers are there to assist voters. If you are not familiar with how to mark a ballot, ask a poll worker for instructions. If you make a mistake in marking the ballot, ask a poll worker how to correct a mistake or ask for a new ballot and start over.

State and federal laws require polling places to be physically accessible to voters with disabilities. Every person who works in a polling place is trained in elections laws and voter rights, including the need to make reasonable modifications of policies and procedures to ensure equal access.

Voting by Mail

After you mark your choices on your vote-by-mail ballot, put it in the official envelope provided by your county elections office and seal it. Sign the outside of the envelope where directed. To ensure it arrives by the deadline, return your ballot either:

• By mail, as long as your ballot is received by your county elections office by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Since postmarks do not count, mail your ballot a few days before Election Day.
• In person, to your county elections office or any polling place in your county before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Even if you receive your vote-by-mail ballot, you can change your mind and vote at your polling place on Election Day. Bring your vote-by-mail ballot to the polling place and give it to a poll worker to exchange for a polling place ballot. If you do not have your vote-by-mail ballot, you will be allowed to vote on a provisional ballot.