Starting Tuesday, May 5, registered voters can return their mail ballot for the June 2 Gubernatorial Primary Election to any of the more than 150 official ballot drop boxes around the county. Mail ballots for the County’s over 2 million registered voters are expected to arrive this week.
What do official ballot drop boxes look like?
The Registrar of Voters has official ballot drop boxes that are red, white and blue and feature the Registrar’s logo along with the County seal. All boxes are labeled “Official Ballot Drop Box” and are made from high grade, heavy gauge stainless steel.
Each official ballot drop box is designed to prevent physical damage and unauthorized access to mail ballots. The boxes feature double-locking access doors, anti-pry door jambs and other anti-theft construction measures. The Registrar’s ballot retrieval team is responsible for collecting ballots inside the box.
How to return ballots by mail
After marking their selections, voters should:
- Seal the ballot in the postage-paid return envelope.
- Date and sign the envelope. Voter signature is required for their vote to count.
- Return the ballot by mail or drop it off at any of the Registrar’s official ballot drop boxes around the county.
Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before June 2 and received by the Registrar of Voters no later than seven days to be counted. Ballots returned at official drop boxes or vote centers must be dropped off by 8 p.m. on June 2.
Voters returning ballots by the U.S. Postal Service can sign up for ballot tracking.
How to vote in person
In-person early voting is available at the Registrar of Voters office in Kearny Mesa at 5600 Overland Ave., San Diego. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Vote centers open in stages:
- May 23: Select vote centers open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- May 30: All vote centers open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- June 2, the final day of voting: All vote centers, official ballot drop boxes and the Registrar’s office are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Take advantage of early voting to avoid long lines.
If you plan to vote in person, prepare ahead of time by reviewing your voter information pamphlet and marking your selections on the sample ballot. When you enter the voting booth at the vote center, you may refer to your marked sample ballot to easily transfer your selections to the official ballot.
For more information, visit sdvote.com or call 858-565-5800 or toll-free 800-696-0136.
