How to vote by mail in L.A. County

Here’s everything to know about voting by mail in Los Angeles County

Mail-in ballots, registration deadlines, voting centers — we’ve got you covered with the basics of voting in the Nov. 3 election.

By Nicole Santa Cruz

June 26, 2020 11:47 AM PT

Because of concerns about the coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom last month ordered that ballots be mailed to all of California’s 20.6 million voters for the Nov. 3 general election.

Although President Trump has baselessly called mail-in ballots “dangerous,” California leaders are worried that millions of people showing up at polling places could be dangerous to people’s health as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Here’s what to know about voting by mail, from Dean Logan, who runs elections in Los Angeles County as the registrar-recorder/county clerk.

Registering to vote

You can register to vote or confirm your registration at the L.A. County registrar’s website. To verify that you’re registered, you’ll be asked for your last name, date of birth, house number and ZIP Code. You can also call (800) 815-2666.

You can register in person at libraries, post office branches or Department of Motor Vehicles offices. You can even register on election day at any vote center.

Logan said that his office will send information about the election to each registered voter in L.A. County. The information will include how to request ballots in different languages.

If you aren’t registered and want to receive a mail-in ballot, you must register by Oct. 19, 2020.

How to make sure your mail ballot gets counted

UPDATED Oct. 5, 2020 | 1:25 PM

Check your registration status

Every voter should do this now. Just go to https://www.nass.org/can-I-vote, a portal created by the National Assn. of Secretaries of State. If you find you are not on the voting rolls, use the portal to register.

Get a mail ballot

California and some other states will automatically send them to all registered voters. In other places, you must request one. You can find out whether you need to request one -- and submit the request, if you do -- through the NASS.org portal. Do this now.

Mail your ballot by Oct. 27

Earlier is even better. This will give the postal service plenty of time to deliver it. While California will count votes that arrive up to 17 days late -- provided they are postmarked by election day -- many states will not. They will toss any votes that arrive after November 3^rd.

Don't panic if your ballot is not mailed by Oct. 27

Again, in California it will still get counted as long as it is postmarked by election day and arrives within 17 days after. In other states, if you haven’t mailed your ballot by a week before election day, hang onto it. You can drop your mail ballot in one of the drop boxes at polling places and -- in California and several states -- on street corners, sidewalks and in municipal buildings. If your state has early voting, you can drop your mail ballot off anywhere that is being held.

Track your ballot

Many states now enable voters to track the status of their mail-in ballot online. Californians can do this at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov. Voters in other states can register for tracking online through their state or local elections website.

Checking your address

You can check your address of record at the California secretary of state’s website.

After entering your name, California driver’s license or identification card number, partial Social Security number and date of birth, you’ll find out what address you are registered at, if your voting status is active, if you’re a permanent vote-by-mail voter and your party preference.

If you need to change your address or any other information, you can re-register online.

Voting in person

In 2020, L.A. County transitioned from precinct-based polling places to vote centers, where any voter can cast a ballot.

The process in the March 3 primary was criticized for delays and long lines caused by technical issues. Logan said his office was preparing for long lines in the upcoming election, and officials are seeking out larger vote center locations that can accommodate more people.

“We will have to plan for social distancing,” Logan said.

In other California counties, in-person voting may be different under rules issued by Newsom.

What else should voters know?

If you return your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked no later than election day. No postage stamps are required. You can also return it in person at any vote-by-mail drop box or at any vote center in the county any time on or before election day.

What if you forgot to sign the envelope on your ballot? You have up to eight days after election day to return an “unsigned ballot statement,” which you must sign. You can drop the form off at a voting center, a drop box, in person or via mail, email or fax.