Shawn Griffiths
California is just days away from the June 2 primary. However, some voters may still be asking a troubling question: Where is my ballot?
Every active registered voter in California is supposed to receive a ballot in the mail. County elections officials began mailing them on May 4, secure drop boxes opened May 5, and the first vote centers opened May 23.
(Note: All other in-person voting locations open on May 30.)
Shawn Griffiths
But ballots can get misplaced. Voters move. Mail gets delayed. Envelopes are damaged. People accidentally mark the wrong candidate or spill coffee on the ballot sitting on the kitchen table. If this happens, don't panic.
A missing or damaged ballot does not mean missing out on voting.
The secretary of state’s office says voters can check the status of their mail-in ballot through the state’s “Where’s My Ballot?” tracking tool, which provides updates when a ballot is mailed, received, and counted.
Voters can receive notifications by text, email, or phone, including alerts if there is a problem that needs to be fixed. It is a useful first-step tool for anyone who has been waiting for their ballot but hasn't received it.
If something happens to the ballot. If it doesn't arrive or is lost, destroyed, or filled out incorrectly, it is not the end of the world.
The first option available to California voters is to request a replacement ballot by contacting their county elections office. However, the window is closing as it can take time to process the application and send out the replacement ballot.
The state lists May 26 as the recommended date for replacement mail-in ballot applications. San Diego County specifically says May 26 at 5 pm is the deadline.
California also offers in-person voting options, and voters can go to their county elections office, vote center, or polling place to cast a ballot. The secretary of state says June 2 is the final day to vote in person or return a ballot by 8 pm.
Polls will be open on Election Day from 7 am to 8 pm.
Miss the Voter Registration Deadline? No Problem.
California technically has a voter registration deadline: May 18. But voters still have options if they missed this deadline.
The state allows same-day voter registration up to and on Election Day. Eligible Californians can complete the process at their county elections office or any in-person voting location within their county.
That means a voter who recently moved, forgot to register, or is unsure about their registration status should not sit out the primary. They should check their status, contact their county elections office, or go to an in-person voting location.
Everyone Gets the Same Ballot—So Vote
The final days before an election are often when confusion leads to turnout suppression. A voter who thinks their ballot is missing may assume it is too late. A voter who made a mistake may think the ballot is ruined.
A voter who missed the registration deadline may think they no longer have a voice.
Independent Voter Project
In California, that is not necessarily true. If a ballot never showed up, track it. Call the county elections office. Request a replacement if they still allow it. Or vote in person before the polls close at 8 pm on June 2.
Everyone gets the same ballot. Everyone gets to choose any candidate they want, regardless of party. The options are there not only to freely participate, but ensure every eligible Californian can vote.