California changed how its elections run over the past several years, and San Diego County was among the first large counties to adopt the new model. For most voters, the process begins with a ballot arriving in the mail rather than a trip to a neighborhood polling place. That convenience comes with a handful of rules and deadlines that are easy to forget between elections. This guide describes how voting generally works in the county and points to where the official dates are published. Election calendars change, so voters should always confirm the specifics for the election in front of them.
Who runs elections here?
The county’s Registrar of Voters runs elections for every government in the county, from state and federal contests to city councils and school boards. That means a single office prints the ballots, runs the vote centers, counts the votes and certifies the results, a role described alongside other county duties in what the Board of Supervisors controls. The office posts its calendar, locations and instructions at its website, sdvote.com.
The Secretary of State, a state official, sets statewide rules and publishes voter information, and the Registrar follows them. Voters who want to check their own registration, find their sample ballot or track a returned ballot can do so through the Registrar’s online tools.
How does someone register?
To vote in California, a person generally must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of California, at least 18 by Election Day, not currently serving a state or federal prison term for a felony, and not found mentally incompetent by a court. Registration can be completed online through the Secretary of State’s website, by a paper form or at some government offices. Voters re-register when they move, change their name or want to change party preference.
The regular registration deadline falls about two weeks before Election Day, 15 days in most elections. People who miss it do not lose the chance to vote. California allows conditional voter registration, often called same-day registration. During the final stretch before the election and on Election Day, a person can register, update a registration and vote at the county elections office or at a vote center. Those ballots are counted after the county verifies the registration.
Voters also choose a party preference during registration, which affects some primary elections. Statewide primaries use a top-two system in which all candidates appear on one ballot and the two with the most votes advance, regardless of party, though presidential primaries work differently.
How do mail ballots work?
All active registered voters in the county receive a ballot by mail ahead of each election, starting about a month before. Voters can return it in three ways:
- By mail, using the postage-paid return envelope. A ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received within a set period afterward, which California law sets at seven days.
- At an official drop box, which the county places in libraries, community buildings and other public locations across the region. Drop boxes open weeks before Election Day and close when the polls close.
- At any vote center, in person.
The most important step is signing the return envelope. Election officials compare the signature to the one on file in the voter’s registration record. If it does not match or is missing, the county contacts the voter to fix the problem, giving a short period to do so. A voter who has moved or whose signature has changed can update the record.
Voters can track their ballot through the county’s “Where’s My Ballot” service, which sends updates when a ballot is mailed, received and counted. The service is free and requires only a sign-up.
What are vote centers?
Instead of assigned neighborhood polling places, the county uses vote centers where any registered voter in the county can go. A voter can drop off a ballot, vote in person, get a replacement ballot, register or update a registration, and get help with accessible voting equipment, whatever the voter’s address. Many centers open several days before Election Day, and all open for the final days, with extended hours on Election Day itself.
Centers also offer ballots in multiple languages and equipment for voters with disabilities, and they allow voters who did not receive or lost a mail ballot to vote in person. Voters who prefer to vote on paper at a center are generally given a paper ballot, and accessible machines are available for those who need them.
Do voters need ID?
California generally does not require voters to show ID at the polls. The exception is first-time voters who registered by mail without providing an identification number, who may need to show an ID or other documents. In most cases, a voter’s identity is verified through the signature on the mail ballot envelope or the registration information provided at a vote center. Rules can change, so voters with specific questions should check with the Registrar.
What is on the ballot?
San Diego County ballots can be long, because voters may be choosing among federal, state, county, city and local contests. A typical ballot might include president or governor, members of Congress and the Legislature, county supervisors, city offices, school board and community college trustees, judges, and statewide and local ballot measures. The state mails a voter information guide describing statewide measures, and counties send a sample ballot with local ones. The process by which statewide measures reach the ballot is explained in how California ballot initiatives qualify.
City elections are nonpartisan, as explained in how city government is organized, and school boards, such as the one described in how San Diego Unified is governed, are elected in the same cycle. Reading the sample ballot ahead of time can make marking the ballot much quicker.
What if something goes wrong?
Several backstops exist. A voter who makes a mistake on a mail ballot can request a replacement. A voter who lost the ballot can get a new one by mail or at a vote center. A voter who is not on the rolls can cast a provisional ballot, which is counted once election officials confirm eligibility. Voters who need help, such as those with disabilities, are entitled to assistance, and those who face language barriers can request materials in the languages the county supports.
Election results are not final on election night. Counties continue to count ballots that arrive by mail or are dropped off late on Election Day, and they must verify signatures and eligibility before certifying. The county posts unofficial results on election night and updates them as counting continues, and the state sets a deadline for certification.
Where to find the official calendar
The county’s website lists registration deadlines, drop box and vote center locations, hours and sample ballots for each election. The Secretary of State’s site posts statewide information and a tool to check registration. Anyone who has moved should update their address, since a ballot is mailed to the address on file and forwarding does not always work for ballots. The best habit is to check registration a few weeks before each election and to read the instructions that come with the ballot.
Sources: San Diego County Registrar of Voters; California Secretary of State; California Elections Code
