SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Sonoma County voters who have not received their ballots can obtain replacements or vote in person for the Nov. 3 General Election, with a deadline approaching for those requesting replacements by mail.
The deadline to request a replacement ballot by mail ends today, according to an announcement.
The Registrar of Voters recommends voting in person if possible as Election Day approaches.
The registrar has not determined how many voters have not received ballots or why some ballots have not arrived.
Some voters who reported missing ballots later found their originals or received them after requesting replacements.
The county's ballot printing vendor delivered ballots to the U.S. Postal Service between Oct. 5 and Oct. 9. Postal officials have reported no delivery delays.
"We want voters to know they still have options if their ballot hasn't arrived," said Evelyn Mendez, Sonoma County registrar of voters.
"They can get a replacement ballot at our office or vote at any open Vote Center. If you're unsure what to do, please contact us. We're here to help."
The office issued 3,275 replacement ballots at voters' requests as of Monday.
During the entire November 2024 general election, the agency issued 6,414 replacements. Voters request replacements for several reasons, so those figures do not indicate how many ballots may have been lost or delayed.
Voters can complete their ballots at the Registrar of Voters Office, 3880 Brickway Blvd., Suite 200, in Santa Rosa, or take them home.
The county opened seven voting centers on Oct. 24, and another 25 will open Oct. 31, bringing the countywide total to 32. Centers operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Election Day, Nov. 3, when all locations will open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
At the centers, voters can cast ballots, obtain replacements, conditionally register to vote, or use accessible voting equipment. Locations and hours appear at SoCoVotes.com.
Voters who cannot travel to a Vote Center may authorize someone to pick up a ballot for them. The registrar's Forms page provides instructions.
Eligible voters can also use the Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail System to access and mark ballots electronically, then print and return them.
Sonoma County Transit, Santa Rosa CityBus, and Petaluma Transit will provide free rides on all fixed-route services Nov. 3, regardless of passengers' origins or destinations. Each agency's website provides routes and schedules.
Voters who have not received ballots or need help voting should contact the registrar at (707) 565-6802 or rov-absentee@sonomacounty.gov.
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