Vote by Mail

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When Do I Apply for a Vote by Mail Ballot?

You may request a Vote by Mail ballot as early as 60 days prior to an election. Except for overseas ballots, Vote by Mail ballots are mailed to applicants beginning on the first legal day to mail, which is 29 days prior to an election. The election officials cannot accept any Vote by Mail applications less than seven days prior to an election.

During the final six days prior to an election, if you become ill, disabled, or find that you will be away from your polling place on election day, you may vote an emergency ballot. You can vote in person at the Registrar of Voters' office or send in a written, signed request for a Vote by Mail ballot authorizing another person to bring you the ballot and return it to the Registrar of Voters' office or any polling place after you have voted.

Applying for a Vote by Mail Ballot

If you are a registered voter and you would like to apply for a Vote by Mail ballot, you may do so by one of the following options:

  • Completing an Application for a Vote by Mail Ballot or a Permanent Vote by Mail Ballot Application
    • Applications are also available from the Registrar of Voters' office
    • An application is also available in the County Voter Information Guide sent to each voter
  • Sending a written request for a Vote by Mail ballot to the Register of Voters' office. Please include the following information:
    • The election for which you are requesting a ballot
    • Your name
    • Your residence address
    • The address where you would like the ballot mailed (if different from residence address)
    • Your signature
  • Applying in person at the Registrar of Voters' office at 2222 M Street, Merced CA 95340. You will be given your ballot at that time and may either vote your ballot at that time, bring it back at a later date, or return it by mail.
  • Apply by phone by calling the Registrar of Voters' office at (2090 385-7541. You will be required to verify your personal information.

Returning Your Voted Vote by Mail Ballot

Watch this short video on how to return your Vote by Mail Ballot or read about it below. 

Voted Vote by Mail Ballots may be returned as follows:

  • By mail to the Registrar of Voters' office at any time, providing your voted ballot is received no later than 8:00 pm on Election Day
  • Personally to the Registrar of Voters' office at any time, providing your voted ballot is received no later than 8:00 pm on Election Day
  • Personally to any polling place in Merced County prior to 8:00 pm on Election Day
  • By a spouse, child, parent, grandparent, sibling, or any person residing in the same household authorized by you, in writing, to the Registrar of Voters' office at any time, providing your voted ballot is received no later than 8:00 pm on Election Day
  • By a spouse, child, parent, grandparent, sibling, or any person residing in the same household authorized by you, in writing, to any polling place in Merced County prior to 8:00 pm on Election Day
  • If the ballot was issued within seven days of the election, personally by any person authorized in writing by the voter, providing the authorization statement is complete.

Voting by Mail for the First Time

When you registered to vote, you were asked to fill in your driver license number,California identification number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you did not include this information when you registered,send a photocopy of some personal identification with your Vote by Mail Application or to your county elections official before the election.

 A copy of a recent utility bill, the county Voter Information Guide you received from your county elections office, or another document sent to you by a government agency are examples of acceptable forms of identification. Other examples include your passport, driver license, official California identification card, or student identification card.

 If your identity cannot be verified, then your Vote by Mail ballot envelope will not be opened.