Make a mistake on your California ballot? Here’s how to fix it and get your vote counted
Californians have until Tuesday, Nov. 5, to cast their votes in the 2024 presidential election.
Voters in California will help decide the next president of the United States, elect candidates for U.S. senators and representatives and weigh in on several ballot propositions.
If you’re a registered voter in California, your ballot should have already arrived in your mailbox.
What happens if you make a mistake while filling it out?
Here’s what you can do:
How do I fix a mistake on my California ballot?
According to California Elections Code 14288, California voters have up to three chances to cast their ballot, including the original one, if they make a mistake.
You can take your incorrectly marked ballot to your county elections office to exchange it for a new one.
Alternately, you can complete an application for a replacement ballot and submit it to your local county elections office.
According to the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters, mistakes can also be corrected by simply indicating the correction on your original ballot.
You can make a clear “X” through the mismarked option, mark your preferred choice and write “Yes” neatly next to your selected candidate or measure, according to Solano County officials.
If you fix a mistake on your ballot, avoid initialing or signing near the correction.
Adding initials or a signature can void your ballot and prevent your vote from being counted.
How do I make sure my vote is counted?
The last day to vote in California is Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.
After completing your ballot, you can return your completed ballot by mailing it to a local county elections official, returning it in-person to a polling place or returning it at a drop-off location or a ballot drop box.
Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by a county elections office no later than seven days after Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 12, according to the California Secretary of State.
How do I track my ballot?
The California Secretary of State’s Office has created a system to notify registered voters when their ballots are mailed, received and counted.
Where’s My Ballot? allows voters to receive updates via text message, email, or phone call regarding their ballot’s status and any potential issues.
To monitor the status of your ballot, you can sign up online.
Have a question about the 2024 election season?
Ask the California Service Journalism Team.
You can submit questions directly to our reporters by emailing servicejournalists@sacbee.com or by filling out the form below. We have reporters covering election news in Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, Merced and San Luis Obispo.
This story was originally published October 24, 2024 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Make a mistake on your California ballot? Here’s how to fix it and get your vote counted."
