Election Corner: Returning your Ballot

So you received your ballot and made your selections. Great! Now what? You have several options for returning your voted ballot — let’s review each.

Return by Mail

All ballots arrive to voters with a postage paid return envelope — no need to add a stamp when mailing it back to the County Elections office. If you choose to mail your voted ballot, be sure to send it back promptly. Vote by mail ballots must be received by the San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division on or before 8 p.m. on Election Day, or be postmarked on or before Election Day, November 3, and received by the County within 17 days after Election Day.

If you have any concern about your vote by mail ballot arriving on-time, you’re encouraged to use one of the other return options available.

Ballot Drop Boxes

Official Ballot Drop Boxes are popping up all around San Mateo County. These boxes are provided by the San Mateo County Elections Office and are a safe and secure way to return your voted ballot directly to the County for processing. Ballot boxes are tamper-proof and provide voters with peace of mind that their ballot will be received in a timely manner.

Redwood City will have three Ballot Drop Boxes available starting October 5 — one will be located outside of City Hall at 1017 Middlefield Road, the second will be located in the parking lot of the Community Activities Building at 1400 Roosevelt Avenue, and the third will be located inside County Center at 555 County Center. An additional Ballot Drop Box will be available outside of County Center starting October 6.

Curbside Drop-off

For those who prefer to drop off their ballot while remaining in their car, a 2-day curbside ballot drop-off station will be available in the Redwood City Downtown Library parking lot on Saturday, October 31, and on Tuesday, November 3. Simply drive up and follow the signs. As with Ballot Drop Boxes, all curbside ballot boxes are safely secured by official election staff and delivered directly to the San Mateo County Elections Office for processing.

Track your Ballot

Use the “Where’s my ballot?” tool to track the status of your ballot. You can even sign up for text, phone, or email alerts. Stay up-to-date and make sure your vote is counted!

For more information about the 2020 Municipal Election, go here.

For more information about the City’s new districts, go here.