County Mails Ballots, Opens 150-Plus Drop Boxes for Nov. 3 General Election

The San Diego County Registrar of Voters is mailing ballots to all active registered voters starting this weekend, with more than 150 official ballot drop boxes opening Saturday, Oct. 4, for the Nov. 3 General Election.

This election's ballot card runs two pages front and back. Voters can choose which contests to mark and return their ballot in three ways: by mail with no postage required, at any official drop box starting Oct. 4, or at any vote center beginning Oct. 24.

Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3 and received by the Registrar no later than seven days after Election Day. Ballots returned at drop boxes or vote centers must be deposited by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.

After marking selections, voters should seal the ballot in the postage-paid return envelope, date and sign it — the signature is required for the ballot to count — and return it. Voters can track their ballot through the California Secretary of State's ballot tracking service.

The official ballot drop boxes are red, white, and blue with the Registrar's logo and County seal, labeled "Official Ballot Drop Box." Each is constructed of high-grade stainless steel with double-locking doors, anti-pry jambs, and a fire suppression system. Only the Registrar's ballot retrieval team collects from them.

In-person early voting begins Monday, Oct. 5, at the Registrar's office at 5600 Overland Ave. in Kearny Mesa, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Select vote centers open daily starting Oct. 24, with all locations opening Oct. 31.