As a San Francisco voter, you can choose to vote in the June 7 election by mail or in person at the City Hall Voting Center or at a polling place.
Vote by Mail
Vote by mail is now permanent. Per recent changes to state law, every actively registered voter will be sent a ballot with the option to return their ballot by mail, in person, or at an official ballot drop box.
Around May 9, the Department of Elections will begin sending vote-by-mail (VBM) packets, each containing an official ballot, instructions, an “I Voted!” sticker, and a postage-paid return envelope, to all locally registered voters. On May 9, the Department will also open its accessible vote-by-mail (AVBM) system, with screen readable ballots compatible with personal assistive devices, at sfelections.org/access. Any registered voter may access their ballot through the AVBM system.
Whether you use a paper or accessible ballot, you will need to complete these three steps:
Paper Vote-by-Mail Ballot
Accessible Vote-by-Mail Ballot
1: Mark your Ballot
Read the instructions printed on each of your ballot card before making your selections.
Go to sfelections.org/access to access your ballot and read the online instructions before making your selections.
2: Prepare your Envelope
Remove all receipts from the top of your ballot cards, fold each ballot card separately, and place folded cards into the return envelope. Complete and sign the back of the envelope, then seal it.
Print out your ballot and place it in the return envelope. Complete and sign the back of the envelope, then seal it.
3: Return your Ballot
To be counted, ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Election Day, June 7. (No postage is required if mailing via the USPS.)
If you mail your ballot on Election Day, please check the last collection time — if the last mail collection has already occurred, your ballot will be postmarked late and will not be counted.
To be counted, ballots returned directly to the Department of Elections must be dropped off no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day, June 7. From May 9 to June 7, you can return your ballot to any official ballot drop box or the City Hall Voting Center. On Election Day, you can return your ballot to any official ballot drop box, the City Hall Voting Center, or any polling place no later than 8 p.m.
As a new service launched earlier this year, the Department of Elections now offers 34 official ballot drop boxes in neighborhoods across the City. Drop boxes will be open 24 hours a day starting May 9 through 8 p.m. on Election Day, June 7. These ballot drop boxes provide voters with a secure, accessible, and contact-free method to return their mailed ballots. Each ballot box bears an American flag and the official seal of the City and County of San Francisco and is clearly marked as an “Official Ballot Drop Box”. A list of ballot drop box locations along with the map are included here and available at sfelections.org/ballotdropoff. To share your feedback on the current ballot drop box map, go to sfelections.org/ballotboxfeedback.
Vote Early at the City Hall Voting Center
The City Hall Voting Center will be open to all San Franciscans who wish to register to vote or vote in person, use accessible voting equipment, receive personal assistance, or return their mailed ballots:
• Every weekday, starting May 9 through June 7 (except May 30, Memorial Day), from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The last two weekends before Election Day (May 28–29 and June 4–5), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• On Election Day, Tuesday, June 7, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Vote at your Assigned Polling Place on Election Day
Between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day, June 7, 588 polling places will be open for in-person voting and ballot drop-off services.
Your polling place may have changed for this election! Check the address of your assigned polling place, along with accessibility information, on the back cover of this pamphlet. If your assigned polling place changes after this pamphlet has been printed, the Department of Elections will attempt to notify you via a postcard and a sign posted at your old polling place location. Prior to voting on Election Day, you may visit sfelections.org/MyVotingLocation to confirm your polling place address.