Permanent Vote by Mail

How to Become A Permanent Vote By Mail Voter

Effective January 1, 2002, California's Election Law now allows any registered voter to become a Permanent Vote by Mail Voter (Chapter 922, AB 1520, 2001 Statutes.)

Previous to this change in the law, voters who applied to automatically receive a Vote by Mail ballot for each and every election (permanent Vote by Mail voter), had to have a specific physical illness or impediment or be the primary caregiver of such a voter. The new law removed these requirements and it now allows any voter to apply for Permanent Vote by Mail Voter status.

When an application for Permanent Vote by Mail Voter status is received and processed by the Elections Division, all election materials including an official ballot will automatically be mailed to the voter for each election in which the voter is qualified to participate; usually within 20 days before an election. The voter no longer needs to submit a Vote by Mail ballot request for each subsequent election.

This provision has the potential to make voting more convenient and reduce our election costs. Hopefully it will also increase voter turnout because it makes the process simpler.

To become a Permanent Vote by Mail Voter, please download and print the APPLICATION FORM (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader available for free at http://www.adobe.com), complete, sign, and mail or fax it to us.

            Mail or Fax your completed and signed application to:

                        Registration & Elections Division
                        40 Tower Road
                        San Mateo, CA  94402
                        Attention:  Vote by Mail Unit

                        Fax: (650) 312-5348

Once enrolled as a Permanent Vote by Mail Voter, you will automatically receive a Vote by Mail ballot for every election in which you are entitled to vote.  You will no longer need to apply for a Vote by Mail ballot each election.  Failure to vote in a statewide election, however, will cancel your Permanent Vote by Mail Voter status, but will not affect your active voter registration status.  If you fail to vote in a statewide election, you will need to re-apply.

If you wish to obtain further information, please call our Registration & Elections Division at (650) 312-5222 or email registrar@smcare.org