California
www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections
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| Upcoming Elections |
|---|
No Federal Elections Scheduled |
Please mail your voting materials early enough to account for mail delivery times. Check the recommended mailing dates section in Chapter 1 for details.
Important information
- What is UOCAVA?
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The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act is commonly referred to as UOCAVA. UOCAVA citizens are U.S. citizens who are active members of the Uniformed Services, the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, their eligible family members and other U.S. citizens residing outside the United States. The law provides the legal basis for absentee voting requirements for federal offices.
- What is the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)?
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The FPCA (Federal Standard Form 76) allows UOCAVA citizens to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. This form is also used to update your contact information.
- What is the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)?
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The FWAB (Federal Standard Form 186) serves as an emergency backup ballot for UOCAVA citizens. If you do not receive your absentee ballot from your state in time to return it to your election official to participate in the election, use the FWAB.
- What is the DoD Fax Service?
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The DoD Fax Service is for those voters who cannot send their election materials directly to their election officials. To fax your election materials, use the "Transmission Cover Sheet" found in Chapter 1 or online at FVAP.gov and fax to: (703) 693-5527, DSN 223-5527 or toll-free from the U.S., Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to 1-800-368-8683 or check FVAP.gov for international fax numbers. If you need to send your election materials to your election official by fax, but do not have access to a fax machine, you can email them to fax@fvap.gov and FVAP will fax your election materials for you. This service is fax only. If your state accepts your election materials by email you should email them directly to your election official. FVAP will not transmit email-to-email transactions.
- What is the Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD?
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Overseas Uniformed Service members can use this label for general election absentee ballots. It provides free express mail service to your election official for general election absentee ballots. You can request to have a Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to your absentee ballot at Military Postal Office locations (APO/FPO). Keep part of the tracking label to track your absentee ballot through the U.S. Postal Service.
- What is a primary election?
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A primary election is an election held before the general election to determine the candidates that can be placed on the general election ballot.
- I am an American citizen, but I have never lived in the U.S., can I vote in this state?
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A U.S. citizen who has never resided in the U.S., who has not previously registered to vote in another state, and whose parent or legal guardian was a California resident when they were last living in the U.S., is eligible to vote in California.
- I am a National Guardsman activated on state orders; does my state afford me UOCAVA privileges?
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Yes.
- How can I check the status of my ballot?
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You can check the status of your absentee ballot here:
https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/ - Does my state have any online tools?
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You can see if your state has any online tools available here:
https://www.fvap.gov/california
Registering and requesting your absentee ballot
Under federal law, the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for a minimum of all federal elections in the current calendar year. Be sure to complete a new FPCA each year and every time your address changes.
In California, voters do not need to request an absentee ballot; all active registered voters automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election.
Complete the following sections of the FPCA
| Section 1 |
Select the category that best describes you. |
| Section 2 |
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence. |
| Section 3 |
Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or online, or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information. |
| Section 4 |
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FPCA. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by email or online, or fax, you must provide your email address or fax number. |
| Section 5 |
A. Select your preferred method of receiving your absentee ballot. You can choose to receive your absentee ballot by "mail", "email or online", or "fax". |
| Section 6 |
Provide any information that may assist your election official in accepting this form. |
| Section 7 |
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required. |
- Section 1
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Select the category that best describes you.
Enter your current name (Last, First). If you are registered under a different name, provide this information in the previous name area.
Your date of birth is required.
Provide your California-issued ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you do not have any of these numbers enter in Section 6: "I do not have a Social Security Number or California-issued ID number." - Section 2
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Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence.
- Section 3
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Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or online, or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information.
- Section 4
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Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FPCA. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by email or online, or fax, you must provide your email address or fax number.
- Section 5
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A. Select your preferred method of receiving your absentee ballot. You can choose to receive your absentee ballot by "mail", "email or online", or "fax".
B. Voters who do not provide a political party affiliation can vote for the office of U.S. President in a presidential primary election if the political party allows it. Political party affiliation is not required if requesting an absentee ballot for other primary elections or general elections. - Section 6
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Provide any information that may assist your election official in accepting this form.
- Section 7
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Sign and date the form. No witness signature required.
How and where to submit your FPCA
If you are using the FPCA to register to vote, you must mail or fax the form. Addresses can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section or online at FVAP.gov.
If you are already registered and are using the FPCA to update your registration information you can mail, email, or fax your signed form to your election official. Contact information can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section or online at FVAP.gov.
Mail your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Mail your FPCA directly to your election official.
Email your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Scan the signed FPCA into your computer. Be sure to also include the "Transmission Cover Sheet". Email this package directly to your election official.
Fax your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Fax your FPCA directly to your election official. Be sure to also include the "Transmission Cover Sheet". You may use the DoD Fax Service to fax your FPCA if you do not have access to a fax machine to fax your election official directly. Instructions for the DoD Fax Service are in the "Important Information" section or online at FVAP.gov.
To find out the status of your FPCA, contact your election official. Your election official will contact you if your FPCA is not accepted.
Voting your ballot
Once you receive your absentee ballot from your state it must be returned according to the deadlines and requirements in the "Federal Election Deadlines" chart. For special federal elections, visit FVAP.gov for specific deadlines.
You can submit the state absentee ballot by mail or fax*.
Contact information can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section. If you do not have access to a fax machine to fax your election official directly, you may use the DoD Fax Service to fax your ballot. Overseas Uniformed Service members can request to have the Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to the general election ballot. Additional information about this label can be found in the "Important Information" section.
*Fax only if you are overseas or activated within 6 days of the election.
Haven't received your ballot? Use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot
The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) can be used to register to vote. If you are using the FWAB to register to vote, it must be received by the registration deadline listed in the "Federal Election Deadlines" chart.
You can use the FWAB to vote in federal, state and local elections, including ballot measures.
Complete the following sections of the FWAB's voter information page
| Section 1 |
Select the category that best describes you. |
| Section 2 |
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence. |
| Section 3 |
Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or online, or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information. |
| Section 4 |
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FWAB. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by email or online, or fax, you must provide your email address or fax number. |
| Section 5 |
A. Check "Yes" if you would like to register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot, otherwise check "No." |
| Section 6 |
Provide any information that may assist the election official in accepting this form. |
| Section 7 |
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required. |
- Section 1
-
Select the category that best describes you.
Enter your current name (Last, First). If you are registered under a different name, provide this information in the previous name area.
Your date of birth is required.
Provide your California-issued ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you do not have any of these numbers enter in Section 6: "I do not have a Social Security Number or California-issued ID number." - Section 2
-
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence.
- Section 3
-
Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or online, or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information.
- Section 4
-
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FWAB. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by email or online, or fax, you must provide your email address or fax number.
- Section 5
-
A. Check "Yes" if you would like to register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot, otherwise check "No."
B. Select your preferred method of receiving your absentee ballot. You can choose to receive your absentee ballot by "mail", "email or online", or "fax".
C. Voters who do not provide a political party affiliation can vote for the office of U.S. President in a presidential primary election if the political party allows it. Political party affiliation is not required if requesting an absentee ballot for other primary elections or general elections. - Section 6
-
Provide any information that may assist the election official in accepting this form.
- Section 7
-
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required.
Vote your FWAB
To vote, write in the candidate's name for each office. You are not required to make a selection for each and every contest.
How and where to submit your FWAB
You can submit the FWAB by mail or fax*. Contact information can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section or online at FVAP.gov.
*Fax only if you are overseas or activated within 6 days of the election.
Mail your FWAB: Once your FWAB is complete, sign and date the "Voter Information" page. Fold along the dotted line and seal the completed "Official Backup Ballot", do not write on the "Official Ballot" envelope. Insert the sealed "Official Ballot" envelope and the "Voter Information" page into the mailing envelope and mail your FWAB directly to your election official.
Overseas Uniformed Service members can request to have the Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to the general election ballot. Additional information about this label can be found in the "Important Information" section or online at FVAP.gov.
Fax your FWAB: (fax only if you are overseas or activated within 6 days of the election). Once your FWAB is complete, sign and date the "Voter Information" page. Fax the signed "Voter Information" page, the "Official Backup Ballot" and the "Transmission Cover Sheet", found at the end of Chapter 1 or online at FVAP.gov, directly to your election official. Be sure to also sign the secrecy waiver on the "Transmission Cover Sheet". You may use the DoD Fax Service to fax your FWAB toll-free if you do not have access to a fax machine to fax your election official directly. Instructions for the DoD Fax Service are in the "Important Information" section or online at FVAP.gov.
See the "Federal Election Deadlines" chart for the deadline for submitting the FWAB. If you receive the state absentee ballot after transmitting your voted FWAB, you may also vote and return the state absentee ballot. If both are received by the deadline, only the state absentee ballot will be counted.
Local election offices for countySearch Offices
| County | Mailing Address |
|---|---|
| Alameda | Alameda Registrar of Voters 1225 Fallon St, Rm G-1 Oakland, CA 94612-4229 Phone: (510) 272-6973 Fax: (510) 470-7995 Email: VBM_Overseas@acgov.org |
| Alpine | Alpine County Clerk, Registrar of Voters P.O. Box 158 Markleeville, CA 96120-0158 Phone: (530) 694-2281 Fax: (530) 694-2491 Email: elections@alpinecountyca.gov |
| Amador | Amador Registrar of Voters 810 Court St Jackson, CA 95642-2132 Phone: (209) 223-6465 Fax: (209) 223-6467 Email: elections@amadorgov.org |
| Butte | Butte County Clerk, Registrar of Voters 155 Nelson Ave Oroville, CA 95965-3411 Phone: (530) 552-3400 Fax: 530 538-7761 Email: elections@buttecounty.net |
| Calaveras | Calaveras County Clerk, Elections Department 891 Mountain Ranch Rd San Andreas, CA 95249-9713 Phone: (209) 754-6376 Fax: (209) 754-6733 Email: UOCAVA@calaverascounty.gov |
| Colusa | Colusa County Clerk-Elections Department 546 Jay St, Ste 200 Colusa, CA 95932-2400 Phone: (530) 458-0500 Fax: (530) 458-0512 Email: clerkinfo@countyofcolusa.org |
| Contra Costa | Contra Costa County Clerk - Elections Department P.O. Box 271 Martinez, CA 94553-0027 Phone: (925) 335-7800 Fax: (925) 335-7843 Email: voter.services@vote.cccounty.us |
| Del Norte | Del Norte County Clerk-Recorder-Elections 981 H St, Rm 160 Crescent City, CA 95531-3457 Phone: (707) 465-0383 Fax: (707) 465-0321 Email: anorthrup@co.del-norte.ca.us |
| El Dorado | El Dorado Registrar of Voters P.O. Box 678001 Placerville, CA 95667-8001 Phone: (530) 621-7481 Fax: (530) 677-1014 Email: vbm@edcgov.us |
| Fresno | Fresno County Clerk, Registrar of Voters 2221 Kern St Fresno, CA 93721-2613 Phone: (559) 600-8683 Fax: (559) 488-3279 Email: countyclerkuocavavoters@fresnocountyca.gov |
| Glenn | Glenn County Clerk-Elections 516 W Sycamore St, 2nd Floor Willows, CA 95988-2747 Phone: (888) 677-9461 Fax: (530) 934-6571 Email: elections@countyofglenn.net |
| Humboldt | Humboldt County Clerk-Elections 2426 6th Street Eureka, CA 95501-0788 Phone: (707) 445-7481 Fax: (707) 445-7204 Email: humboldt_elections@co.humboldt.ca.us |
| Imperial | Imperial County Elections 940 W. Main St, Ste 206 El Centro, CA 92243-2839 Phone: (442) 265-1060 Fax: (442) 265-1062 Email: votersupport@co.imperial.ca.us Email: germancervantes@co.imperial.ca.us |
| Inyo | Inyo County Clerk-Elections 168 N. Edwards, P.O. Drawer F Independence, CA 93526-0606 Phone: (760) 878-0224 Fax: (760) 878-1805 Email: elections@inyocounty.us |
| Kern | Kern County Clerk - Elections Office 1115 Truxtun Ave, First Floor Bakersfield, CA 93301-4639 Phone: (661) 868-3590 Fax: (661) 868-3723 Email: votebymail@kerncounty.com |
| Kings | Kings County Elections Dept., Govt. Center 1400 W Lacey Blvd, Bldg #7 Hanford, CA 93230-5997 Phone: (559) 852-4401 Fax: (559) 585-8453 Email: elections@countyofkings.com |
| Lake | Lake County Clerk, Registrar of Voters 255 N Forbes St Lakeport, CA 95453-4748 Phone: (707) 263-2372 Fax: (707) 263-2742 Email: elections@lakecountyca.gov |
| Lassen | Lassen County Clerk, Registrar of Voters 220 S Lassen St, Ste 5 Susanville, CA 96130-4343 Phone: (530) 251-8217 Fax: (530) 257-3480 Email: jbustamante@co.lassen.ca.us |
| Los Angeles | Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder County Clerk P.O. Box 30450 Los Angeles, CA 90099 Phone: (800) 815-2666 *2 Fax: (562) 232-7924 Email: militaryoverseasAV@rrcc.lacounty.gov |
| Madera | Madera County Clerk-Elections 200 W. 4th St Madera, CA 93637-3548 Phone: (800) 435-0509 Fax: (559) 675-7870 Email: UOCAVA@maderacounty.com |
| Marin | Marin County Registrar of Voters P.O. Box E San Rafael, CA 94913-3904 Phone: (415) 473-6441 Fax: (415) 473-4244 (415) 473-6447 Email: dbelben@marincounty.org |
| Mariposa | Mariposa County Clerk, Registrar of Voters P.O. Box 247 Mariposa, CA 95338-0247 Phone: (209) 966-2007 Fax: (209) 966-6496 Email: elections@mariposacounty.org |
| Mendocino | Mendocino County Clerk-Elections 501 Low Gap Rd, Rm 1020 Ukiah, CA 95482-3738 Phone: (707) 234-6819 Fax: (707) 463-4257 Email: mcvotes@mendocinocounty.org |
| Merced | Merced County Registrar of Voters - Elections 2222 M St Merced, CA 95340-3729 Phone: (800) 561-0619 Fax: (209) 385-7387 Email: elections@countyofmerced.com |
| Modoc | Modoc County Clerk-Elections 108 E Modoc St Alturas, CA 96101-4199 Phone: (530) 233-6200 Fax: (530) 233-6666 Email: clerkelections@co.modoc.ca.us |
| Mono | Mono County Clerk-Elections P.O. Box 237 Bridgeport, CA 93517-0237 Phone: (760) 932-5537 Fax: (760) 932-5531 Email: elections@mono.ca.gov |
| Monterey | Monterey County Elections P.O. Box 4400 Salinas, CA 93912-4400 Phone: (831) 796-1499 Fax: (831) 755-5485 Email: uocava@co.monterey.ca.us |
| Napa | Napa County Clerk, Registrar of Voters 1127 First Street, Suite E Napa, CA 94559-2952 Phone: (707) 299-1470 Fax: (707) 253-4390 Email: ballot@countyofnapa.org |
| Nevada | Nevada County Clerk - Elections 950 Maidu Ave, Ste 210 Nevada City, CA 95959-8600 Phone: (530) 265-1298 Fax: (530) 265-9829 Email: elections.mail@nevadacountyca.gov |
| Orange | Orange County Registrar of Voters P.O. Box 11298 Santa Ana, CA 92711-1298 Phone: (714) 567-7560 Fax: (714) 567-5100 Email: militaryoverseas@ocvote.gov |
| Placer | Placer County Registrar of Voters 3715 Atherton Road, Suite 2 Rocklin, CA 95765 Phone: (530) 886-5650 Fax: (530) 886-5691 Email: vote@placer.ca.gov |
| Plumas | Plumas County Clerk - Elections 520 Main St, Rm 102, Courthouse Quincy, CA 95971-9366 Phone: (530) 283-6256 Fax: (530) 283-6155 Email: elections@countyofplumas.com |
| Riverside | Riverside Registrar of Voters 2724 Gateway Dr Riverside, CA 92507-0918 Phone: (951) 486-7200 Fax: (951) 486-7335 Email: rovweb@rivco.org |
| Sacramento | County of Sacramento Voter Registration and Elections 7000 65th Street, Suite A Sacramento, CA 95823-2315 Phone: (916) 875-6451 Fax: (916) 854-9796 Email: militaryandoverseas@saccounty.gov |
| San Benito | San Benito County Registrar of Voters 1601 Lana Way Hollister, CA 95023 Phone: (831) 636-4016 Fax: (831) 636-2939 Email: sbcvote@sanbenitocountyca.gov |
| San Bernardino | San Bernardino Registrar of Voters 777 E Rialto Ave San Bernardino, CA 92415-1005 Phone: (909) 387-8300 Fax: (909) 386-8388 Email: mailballots@sbcountyelections.com |
| San Diego | San Diego Registrar of Voters P.O. Box 85902 San Diego, CA 92186-5902 Phone: (858) 565-5800 Fax: (858) 505-7294 Email: votebymail@sdcounty.ca.gov |
| San Francisco | San Francisco Elections, City Hall 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl, Rm 48 San Francisco, CA 94102-4605 Phone: (415) 554-4375 Fax: (415) 554-4372 Email: sfvoteabroad@sfgov.org |
| San Joaquin | San Joaquin Registrar of Voters P.O. Box 810 Stockton, CA 95201-3010 Phone: (209) 468-2890 Fax: (209) 468-9534 Email: vbm@sjgov.org |
| San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Elections 1055 Monterey St, Suite D120 San Luis Obispo, CA 93408-1003 Phone: (805) 781-5228 Fax: (805) 781-1111 Email: elections@co.slo.ca.us |
| San Mateo | San Mateo County Clerk - Elections 40 Tower Rd San Mateo, CA 94402-4035 Phone: (650) 312-5222 Fax: (650) 312-5348 Email: ballot@smcacre.gov |
| Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara County Clerk-Elections P.O. Box 61510 Santa Barbara, CA 93160-1510 Phone: (833) 421-0251 Fax: (805) 681-4003 Email: votebymail2@co.santa-barbara.ca.us |
| Santa Clara | Santa Clara Registrar of Voters 1555 Berger Dr. Bldg 2 San Jose, CA 95112-2716 Phone: (408) 282-0210 Fax: (408) 293-6002 Email: votebymail@rov.sccgov.org |
| Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz County Clerk - Elections 701 Ocean St, Rm 310 Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4035 Phone: (831) 454-2060 Fax: (831) 454-2445 Email: info@votescount.us |
| Shasta | Shasta County Clerk-Elections 1643 Market St. Redding, CA 96001-1022 Phone: (530) 225-5730 Fax: (530) 225-5454 Email: elections@co.shasta.ca.us |
| Sierra | Sierra County Clerk-Elections 100 Courthouse Square, Room 11, P.O. Drawer D Downieville, CA 95936-0398 Phone: (530) 289-3295 Fax: (530) 289-2830 Email: clerk-recorder@sierracounty.ca.gov |
| Siskiyou | Siskiyou County Clerk-Elections 311 Fourth St., Room 201 Yreka, CA 96097-2525 Phone: (530) 842-8084 Fax: (530) 841-4110 Email: laura@sisqvotes.org |
| Solano | Solano Registrar of Voters 675 Texas St, Ste 2600 Fairfield, CA 94533-6338 Phone: (707) 784-6675 Fax: (707) 784-1424 Email: elections@solanocounty.com |
| Sonoma | Sonoma County Clerk, Registrar of Voters 435 Fiscal Drive Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Phone: (707) 565-6803 Fax: (707) 565-6862 Email: militaryandoverseas@sonoma-county.org |
| Stanislaus | Stanislaus County Clerk, Registrar of Voters 1021 I St, Ste 101 Modesto, CA 95354-2331 Phone: (209) 525-5201 Fax: (209) 525-5803 Email: VoteInfo@stancounty.com |
| Sutter | Sutter County Clerk-Elections 1435 Veterans Memorial Cir Yuba City, CA 95993-3011 Phone: (530) 525-5235 Fax: (530) 822-7587 Email: elections@co.sutter.ca.us |
| Tehama | Tehama County Clerk-Elections P.O. Box 250 Red Bluff, CA 96080-0250 Phone: (530) 527-8190 Fax: (530) 527-1140 Email: elections@co.tehama.ca.us |
| Trinity | Trinity County Clerk - Elections P.O. Box 1215 Weaverville, CA 96093-1215 Phone: (530) 623-1220 Fax: (530) 623-8398 Email: elections@trinitycounty.org |
| Tulare | Tulare County Registrar of Voters 5300 W. Tulare Ave. Ste 105 Visalia, CA 93277-9394 Phone: 559-839-2100 Fax: 559-615-3019 Email: UOCAVA@tularecounty.ca.gov |
| Tuolumne | Tuolumne County Clerk - Elections 2 S Green St Sonora, CA 95370-4618 Phone: (209) 533-5570 Fax: (209) 694-8931 Email: elections@tuolumnecounty.ca.gov |
| Ventura | Ventura County Clerk-Elections Hall of Administration, Lower Plaza 800 S Victoria Ave, L 1200 Ventura, CA 93009-1200 Phone: (805) 654-2664 Fax: (805) 654-3989 Email: VoteByMail@ventura.org |
| Yolo | Yolo County Elections Department 625 Court St., Room B05 Woodland, CA 95695-3475 Phone: (530) 666-8133 Fax: (530) 666-8123 Email: Elections@yolocounty.org |
| Yuba | Yuba County Clerk 915 8th St, Ste 107 Marysville, CA 95901-5273 Phone: (530) 749-7855 Fax: (530) 749-7854 Email: elections@co.yuba.ca.us |
