The Department of Elections Mails Vote-by-Mail Ballots to Locally Registered Voters for the November 3, 2026, Consolidated General Election

Department of Elections
City and County of San Francisco
John Arntz, Director

For Immediate Release
SAN FRANCISCO, Thursday, October 1, 2026 – This week, the United States Postal Service (USPS) will begin delivering more than 500,000 vote-by-mail ballot packets prepared by the Department of Elections for locally registered voters. Each packet includes a four-card ballot, a postage-paid return envelope, and voting instructions. Ballot packets are expected to begin arriving on October 2.

USPS ballot delivery and return services remain unchanged for this election. On September 17, USPS announced that it will not enforce the federal ballot-mail rule in 2026. The rule will therefore not affect how ballots are delivered to voters or returned to the Department for the November 3 election. USPS will continue its established Election Mail procedures, and completed ballots returned by mail will be handled as First-Class Mail to support timely processing and delivery.

“Voting by mail is secure and dependable,” said Director John Arntz. “We prioritize ballot security at every step and provide tracking tools so voters can follow their ballots from mailing through signature verification and counting. Voters can choose the return option that works best for them: by mail, at a neighborhood drop box, at the City Hall Voting Center, or at a polling place on Election Day. We encourage voters to complete and return their ballots early to avoid the last-minute rush, confirm that the Department has received their ballots, and follow their progress through counting.”

To help voters confirm the status of their ballots, the Department offers ballot tracking through the Track My Ballot tab at sfelections.gov/voterportal. This tool allows voters to follow their ballots from assembly and mailing through signature verification and counting. Voters who prefer automatic updates can sign up for notifications by text message, email, or voice call at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.

Voters returning their ballots by mail can use the postage-paid envelope included in their packets. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before November 3 and received by the Department no later than November 10. Ballots returned at a drop box or voting location must be delivered by 8 p.m. on November 3.

In addition to returning their ballots by mail through USPS, voters can use any of the City’s 37 official ballot drop boxes, which the Department will open on Friday, October 2. These boxes will be available 24 hours a day through 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. Voters may also return their ballots at the City Hall Voting Center beginning Monday, October 5, or at any of San Francisco’s 501 polling places on Election Day. Drop-box locations and information about ballot return options are available at sfelections.gov/ballotdropoff.

Voters who do not receive their ballot packets as expected or have questions about ballot delivery or return should contact the Department at (415) 558-6100 or sfvote@sfgov.org.

The Department is committed to ensuring that every voter has the support needed to participate in the November 3 election. Information about voting options, accessible services, and language assistance is available at sfelections.gov or by calling (415) 558-6100.

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