Voting Starts Now: Contra Costa Ballots Are In The Mail

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Contra Costa County voters can cast their votes as soon as their ballots arrive, weeks before the Nov. 3 general election.

The county Elections Division mailed ballots Monday to active registered voters, along with postage-paid return envelopes. Officials encourage voters to complete and return their ballots early.

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"We want to make sure that voters know they can vote the way they want to vote with confidence," Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Kristin B. Connelly said. "We encourage Contra Costa voters to complete their ballot as soon as they receive it in the mail and get it back to us early."

County voter information guides went out last week and should have reached voters' mailboxes. The Secretary of State's office mailed state voter information guides two weeks ago.

Voters can check their registration and address through the county's My Voting Information website. They can register or update their registration at registertovote.ca.gov through Oct. 19.

After that deadline, new voters can register and vote in person at the Elections Division in Martinez, a county regional early voting site, or a polling place on Election Day.

To return a ballot by mail, voters should place their completed ballot in the return envelope, seal it, sign it, and mail it.

Ballots must carry a postmark on or before Election Day and reach election officials within seven days after Election Day to count.

The Elections Division recommends mailing ballots no later than Oct. 23 to help ensure they receive a timely postmark and arrive in time to count.

Voters can also return ballots at any in-person voting location or one of the county's 43 official drop boxes, which are open. Drop boxes accept ballots until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Using an official drop box reduces return-postage costs and saves taxpayer dollars, according to the Elections Division.

The county lists regional early voting locations online. Officials encourage voters to return ballots early enough for the Elections Division to receive them by Friday, Oct. 30, to avoid long lines and ensure their votes appear in election night results.

Voters can sign up for the Secretary of State's ballot tracking service to receive notices when their ballots are mailed, received, and counted.

Voters who do not receive their ballots by Oct. 19 should call 925-335-7800 or email ballot@vote.cccounty.us.

For more information, visit www.contracostavote.gov and select "Current Elections" and "November 3, 2026 General Election," or call 925-335-7800 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.