Tips for California's Military and Overseas Voters (PDF)
Thank you for taking part in elections while you are in the military or other uniformed service, or a civilian living outside the United States.
The information and resources on this page are intended to make participating in elections as easy and rewarding for you as possible. Here, you will learn the basic steps to become a military or overseas voter so you are eligible to vote when you are absent from your county while serving and/or living overseas and discover how state and federal laws work to protect your precious right to vote.
As a military or overseas voter who is registered to vote, there are several different ways you can request and receive your ballot and return your voted ballot and signed Military and Overseas Voter Return Envelope.
Register to Vote and/or Request a Ballot
Even if you are or were registered to vote in your county, in order to receive your election materials and vote when you are absent from your county while serving and/or living overseas, you need to complete the online voter registration application or complete the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) (PDF).
When you complete the online voter registration application or the FPCA, you can choose to have your ballot and the accompanying Military or Overseas Voter Return Envelope mailed, faxed, or emailed to you. You may even be able to download them from your county elections official's website. Check the list below for the options in your county.
The FPCA, as well as answers to frequently asked questions, is available from the Federal Voting Assistance Program. Members of the military can also obtain an FPCA from their installation's Voting Assistance Officer. Civilian overseas voters can obtain an FPCA at any U.S. embassy or consulate. You can mail or fax your completed FPCA to your county elections official. If you mail the FPCA, postage is pre-paid in the U.S. mail, including the Military Postal System and State Department Pouch mail. If you are already registered to vote and are only submitting an FPCA to register as a military or overseas voter, you can email your completed and signed FPCA to your county elections official.
Return Your Voted Ballot and Signed Military or Overseas Voter Return Envelope
Return your voted ballot and signed Military or Overseas Voter Return Envelope to your county elections official. Mail or fax (under certain circumstances) your voted ballot and signed return envelope following the Secretary of State's online instructions under "Mailing Addresses and Fax Numbers for Military or Overseas Voters".
If mailing: Your voted ballot and signed return envelope must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than 7 days after Election Day.
To make sure your voted ballot has enough time to arrive to your county elections official, we recommend you send it back by:
| Your Location | Primary Election (March 5, 2024) |
General Election (November 5, 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| On a ship at sea | January 27, 2024 | September 28, 2024 |
| Outside the U.S. | February 19, 2024 | October 21, 2024 |
| Stateside | February 26, 2024 | October 28, 2024 |
For military voters and their family members only: USPS Priority Mail Express Label 11-DOD provides free express mail service for federal general election vote-by-mail ballots. You can request to have this applied to your ballot at Military Postal Office locations (APO/FPO); it is also available at Department of State embassies or consulates. This label permits ballots to be treated as express mail upon return to the United States and be trackable through the U.S. Postal Service. For more information, contact FVAP.
If faxing: If you are living outside the territorial limits of the United States or are called for military service within the United States on or after the seventh day prior to Election Day, you may return your ballot by fax, but it must be received by your county elections office by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. If you decide to fax your voted ballot and signed Military or Overseas Voter Return Envelope, you must also fax an "Oath of Voter" form to waive your right to a confidential vote. This oath is in addition to the voter's declaration that is on the Military or Overseas Voter Return Envelope. Please use the oath form your county provides to you; however, many counties also accept the "Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) Transmission Cover Sheet (PDF)". Please check with your county before using FVAP's Transmission Cover Sheet.
Under California law, while you may receive a blank ballot by email, you may not return a voted ballot by email.
For additional information and resources, see the links on the left side of this page.
| County | Method to submit your FPCA or receive your ballot | Method to return your voted ballot and signed Military or Overseas Voter Return Envelope | County Contact Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda County Voter Information Guide |
Mail Fax: (510) 470-7995 |
Mail Fax: (510) 470-7995 |
Alameda Registrar of Voters 1225 Fallon Street, Room G1 Oakland, CA 94612 Phone: (510) 272-6973 Website |
| Alpine | Mail Fax: (530) 694-2491 |
Mail Fax: (530) 694-2491 |
Alpine County Clerk, Registrar of Voters P.O. Box 158 Markleeville, CA 96120-0158 Phone: (530) 694-2281 Website |
| Amador | Mail Fax: (209) 223-6467 |
Mail Fax: (209) 223-6467 |
Amador County Elections 810 Court Street Jackson, CA 95642-2132 Phone: (209) 223-6465 Website |
| Butte |
Mail Fax: (530) 538-6853 |
Mail Fax: (530) 538-6853 |
Butte County Clerk, Registrar of Voters 155 Nelson Avenue Oroville, CA 95965-3361 Phone: (530) 552-3400, option 1 Website |
| Calaveras | Mail Fax: (209) 754-6733 |
Mail Fax: (209) 754-6733 |
Calaveras County Clerk, Elections Department 891 Mountain Ranch Road San Andreas, CA 95249-9713 Phone: (209) 754-6376 Website |
| Colusa |
Mail Fax: (530) 458-0512 |
Mail Fax: (530) 458-0512 |
Colusa County Registrar of Voters 546 Jay Street, Ste. 200 Colusa, CA 95932-2400 Phone: (530) 458-0500 Website |
| Contra Costa |
Mail Fax: (925) 335-7836 |
Mail Fax: (925) 335-7843 |
Contra Costa County Elections Division P.O. Box 271 Martinez, CA 94553-0027 Phone: (925) 335-7800 Website |
| Del Norte | Mail Fax: (707) 465-0321 |
Mail Fax: (707) 465-0321 |
Del Norte County Elections 981 H Street Room 160 Crescent City, CA 95531-3457 Phone: (707) 465-0383 Website |
| El Dorado |
Mail Fax: (530) 626-5514 |
Mail Fax: (530) 626-5514 |
El Dorado County Elections P.O Box 678001, Placerville, 95667 Phone: (530) 621-7481 Website |
| Fresno |
Mail Fax: (559) 488-3279 |
Mail Fax: (559) 488-3279 |
Fresno County Clerk-Elections 2221 Kern Street Fresno, CA 93721-2613 Phone: (559) 600-8683 Website |
| Glenn | Mail Fax: (530) 934-6571 |
Mail Fax: (530) 934-6571 |
Glenn County Clerk-Elections 516 W. Sycamore Street, 2nd Floor Willows, CA 95988-2740 Phone: (888) 677-9461 Website |
| Humboldt | Mail Fax: (707) 445-7204 |
Mail Fax: (707) 445-7204 |
Humboldt County Office of Elections 2426 6th Street Eureka, CA 95501-4409 Phone: (707) 445-7481 Website |
| Imperial | Mail Fax: (442) 265-1062 |
Mail Fax: (442) 265-1062 |
Imperial County Registrar of Voters 940 W Main Street, Ste. 206 El Centro, CA 92243-2839 Phone: (442) 265-1060 Website |
| Inyo | Mail Fax: (760) 878-1805 |
Mail Fax: (760) 878-1805 |
Inyo County Elections 168 N. Edwards, PO Drawer F Independence, CA 93526-0606 Phone: (760) 878-0224 Website |
| Kern |
Mail or (661) 868-3768 |
Mail
Fax: (661) 868-3723 or (661) 868-3768 |
Kern County Clerk - Elections Office 1115 Truxtun Avenue, 1st Floor Bakersfield, CA 93301-4639 Phone: (661) 868-3590 Website |
| Kings | Mail Fax: (559) 585-8453 |
Mail Fax: (559) 585-8453 |
County of Kings Elections 1400 W. Lacey Boulevard, Bldg #7, Hanford, CA 93230 Phone: (559) 852-4882 Website |
| Lake | Mail Fax: (707) 263-2742 |
Mail Fax: (707) 263-2742 |
Registrar of Voters 255 N. Forbes Street Lakeport, CA 95453-4747 Phone: (707) 263-2372 Website |
| Lassen | Mail Fax: (530) 257-3480 |
Mail Fax: (530) 257-3480 |
Lassen County Clerk, Registrar of Voters 220 S. Lassen Street, Ste. 5 Susanville, CA 96130-4343 Phone: (530) 251-8217 Website |
| Los Angeles |
Mail (877) 614-1127 |
Mail
Fax :(562) 232-7925 (877) 614-1128 |
Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Mailing Address: P O Box 30960 Los Angeles CA 90030-0960 |
| Madera | Mail Fax: (559) 675-7870 |
Mail Fax: (559) 675-7870 |
Madera County Elections Division 200 W. 4th Street Madera, CA 93637-3548 Phone: (800) 435-0509 Website |
| Marin |
Mail or (415) 473-6447 |
Mail
Fax: (415) 473-4244 or (415) 473-6447 |
County of Marin Elections P O Box E, San Rafael, CA 94913-3904 Phone: (415) 473-6441 Website |
| Mariposa | Mail Fax: (209) 966-6496 |
Mail Fax: (209) 966-6496 |
Mariposa County Elections Department P.O. Box 247 Mariposa, CA 95338-0247 Phone: (209) 966-2007 Website |
| Mendocino | Mail Fax: (707) 463-4257 |
Mail Fax: (707) 463-4257 |
Mendocino County Clerk-Elections 501 Low Gap Road, Room 1020 Ukiah, CA 95482-3738 Phone: (707) 234-6819 Website |
| Merced | Mail Fax: (209) 385-7387 |
Mail Fax: (209) 385-7387 |
Merced County Registrar of Voters - Elections 2222 M Street Merced, CA 95348 Phone: (800) 561-0619 Website |
| Modoc | Mail Fax: (530) 233-6666 |
Mail Fax: (530) 233-6666 |
Modoc County Clerk-Elections 108 E Modoc Street Alturas, CA 96101-4020 Phone: (530) 233-6200 Website |
| Mono | Mail Fax: (760) 932-5531 |
Mail Fax: (760) 932-5531 |
Mono County Clerk-Elections or |
| Monterey | Mail Fax: (831) 755-5485 |
Mail Fax: (831) 755-5485 |
Monterey County Elections PO BOX 4400, Salinas, CA 93912 Phone: (831) 796-1499 Website |
| Napa |
Mail
|
Mail Additional Fax: (707) 299-4100 |
Napa County Elections Division |
| Nevada | Mail Fax: (530) 265-9829 |
Mail Fax: (530) 265-9829 |
Nevada County Clerk - Elections 950 Maidu Avenue Suite 210, Nevada City, CA 95959 Phone: (530) 265-1298 Website |
| Orange |
Mail or (714) 567-7644 |
Mail
Fax: (714) 567-5100 or (714) 567-7644 |
Orange County Registrar of Voters P.O. Box 11298, Santa Ana, CA 92711 Phone: (714) 567-7560 Website |
| Placer |
Mail |
Mail Fax: (530) 886-5691 |
Placer County Registrar of Voters 2956 Richardson Dr. Auburn, CA 95603-2640 Phone: (530) 886-5650 Website |
| Plumas | Mail Fax: (530) 283-6155 |
Mail Fax: (530) 283-6155 |
Plumas County Clerk - Elections 520 Main Street, Room 102 Quincy, CA 95971-9366 Phone: (530) 283-6256 Website |
| Riverside |
Mail or (951) 486-7335 |
Mail
Fax: (951) 486-7272 or (951) 486-7335 |
Riverside Registrar of Voters or |
| Sacramento |
Mail or (916) 854-8856 |
Mail Fax: (916) 854-9796 |
County of Sacramento Voter Registration and Elections 7000 65th St, Suite A, Sacramento, CA 95823 Phone: (916) 875-6155 Website |
| San Benito | Mail Fax: (831) 636-2939 |
Mail Fax: (831) 636-2939 |
San Benito County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Court House |
| San Bernardino |
Mail Fax: (909) 386-8388 or (909) 387-2022 |
Mail Fax: (909) 386-8388 or (909) 387-2022 |
San Bernardino Registrar of Voters 777 E. Rialto Avenue San Bernardino, CA 92415 Phone: (909) 387-8300 Website |
| San Diego | Mail Fax: (858) 505-7294 |
Mail Fax: (858) 467-9670 |
San Diego Registrar of Voters Address to submit FPCA: P.O. Box 85520, San Diego, CA 92186-5520; Address to submit ballot: P.O. Box 85902, San Diego CA 92186-5902 Phone: (858) 565-5800 Website |
| San Francisco |
Mail Fax: (415) 554-4372 |
Mail Fax: (415) 554-4372 |
San Francisco Elections, City Hall 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place Room 48 San Francisco, CA 94102-4608 Phone: (415) 554-4375 Website |
| San Joaquin |
Mail Fax: (209) 468-9534 |
Mail Fax: (209) 468-9534 |
San Joaquin Registrar of Voters P.O Box 810, Stockton, CA 95202 Phone: (209) 468-2890 Website |
| San Luis Obispo | Mail Fax: (805) 781-1111 |
Mail Fax: (805) 781-1111 |
San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Elections 1055 Monterey Street, Room D120 San Luis Obispo, CA 93408-1003 Phone: (805) 781-5228 Website |
| San Mateo | Mail Fax: (650) 312-5348 |
Mail Fax: (650) 312-5348 |
San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division 40 Tower Road San Mateo, CA 94402-4098 Phone: (650) 312-5222 Website |
| Santa Barbara |
Mail or (805) 681-4003 |
Mail
Fax: (805) 568-2209 or (805) 681-4003 |
Santa Barbara County Clerk-Elections P.O. Box 61510 Santa Barbara, CA 93160-1510 Phone: (833) 421-0251 Website |
| Santa Clara County Voter Information Guide |
Mail Fax: (408) 293-6002 |
Mail Fax: (408) 293-6002 |
Santa Clara Registrar of Voters 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2 San Jose, CA 95112-2716 Phone: (408) 282-0210 Website |
| Santa Cruz |
Mail Fax: (831) 454-2445 |
Mail Fax: (831) 454-2445 |
Santa Cruz County Clerk - Elections 701 Ocean Street, Room 310 Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4076 Phone: (831) 454-2060 Website |
| Shasta |
Mail Fax: (530) 225-5454 |
Mail Fax: (530) 225-5454 |
Shasta County Clerk-Elections 1643 Market Street Redding, CA 96001-1022 Phone: (530) 225-5730 Website |
| Sierra | Mail Fax: (530) 289-2830 |
Mail Fax: (530) 289-2830 |
Sierra County Clerk-Elections 100 Courthouse Square, Room 11 P.O. Drawer D Downieville, CA 95936-0398 Phone: (530) 289-3295 Website |
| Siskiyou | Mail Fax: (530) 841-4110 |
Mail Fax: (530) 841-4110 |
Siskiyou County Clerk-Elections 311 Fourth Street, Room 201, Yreka, CA 96097 Phone: (530) 842-8084 Website |
| Solano | Mail Fax: (707) 784-1424 |
Mail Fax: (707) 784-1424 |
Solano Registrar of Voters 675 Texas Street, Suite 2600 Fairfield, CA 94533-6338 Phone: (707) 784-6675 Text "Solano" to 2VOTE (28683) Website |
| Sonoma County Voter Information Guide |
Mail or (707) 565-6843 |
Mail
Fax: (707) 565-6862 or (707) 565-6843 |
Sonoma County Clerk, Registrar of Voters PO Box 11485, Santa Rosa, CA 95406-1485 Phone: (707) 656-6803 Website |
| Stanislaus County Voter Information Guide |
Mail or (209) 525-5802 |
Mail
Fax: (209) 525-5803 or (209) 525-5802 |
Stanislaus County Clerk, Registrar of Voters 1021 I Street, Suite 101 Modesto, CA 95354-2331 Phone: (209) 525-5201 Website |
| Sutter | Mail Fax: (530) 822-7587 |
Mail Fax: (530) 822-7587 |
Sutter County Clerk-Elections 1435 Veterans Memorial Circle Yuba City, CA 95993-3011 Phone: (209) 525-5235 Website |
| Tehama | Mail Fax: (530) 527-1140 |
Mail Fax: (530) 527-1140 |
Tehama County Clerk-Elections P.O. Box 250 Red Bluff, CA 96080-0250 Phone: (530) 527-8190 Website |
| Trinity | Mail Fax: (530) 623-8398 |
Mail Fax: (530) 623-8398 |
Trinity County Clerk - Elections P.O. Box 1215 11 Court Street Weaverville, CA 96093-1258 Phone: (530) 623-1220 Website |
| Tulare | Mail Fax: (559) 737-4498 |
Mail Fax: (559) 737-4498 |
Tulare County Registrar of Voters 5300 West Tulare Avenue, Suite 105 Visalia, CA 93277 Phone: (559) 839-2100 Website |
| Tuolumne | Mail Fax: (209) 694-8931 |
Mail Fax: (209) 694-8931 |
Tuolumne County Clerk - Elections 2 South Green Street Sonora, CA 95370-4696 Phone: (209) 533-5570 Website |
| Ventura County Voter Information Guide |
Mail Fax: (805) 648-9200 Additional Fax: (805) 654-3989 |
Mail Additional Fax: (805) 654-3989 |
Ventura County Clerk-Elections 800 S. Victoria Avenue, L-1200 Ventura, CA 93009-1200 Phone: (805) 654-2664 Website |
| Yolo |
Mail Fax: (530) 666-8123 |
Mail Fax: (530) 666-8123 |
Yolo County Clerk-Registration 625 Court Street, Room B05 Woodland, CA 95695-3475 Phone: (530) 666-8133 Website |
| Yuba | Mail Fax: (530) 749-7854 |
Mail Fax: (530) 749-7854 |
Yuba County Clerk 915 8th Street, Suite 107 Marysville, CA 95901-5273 Phone: (530) 749-7855 Website |
