The Department of Elections Mails Vote-by-Mail Ballots to Locally Registered Voters for the November 4, 2025, Statewide Special Election
Department of Elections
City and County of San Francisco
John Arntz, Director
For Immediate Release
SAN FRANCISCO, Wednesday, October 1, 2025 – This week, the United States Postal Service will begin delivering over 500,000 vote-by-mail ballots packets prepared by the Department of Elections for local voters. Each packet includes a one-card ballot, a postage-paid return envelope, voting instructions, and the Voter Information Pamphlet.
"Voting by mail is safe and dependable," said Director John Arntz. "From protecting voter privacy to providing ballot tracking tools, we make sure every ballot is handled with care. Voters can return their ballots by mail, at our office in City Hall, at one of the 37 ballot drop boxes across the city, or to a polling place on Election Day. I hope every voter takes advantage of these options to cast a ballot in the November 4 election."
To facilitate ballot returns, on Monday, October 6, the Department will open 37 ballot drop-off boxes, which will remain accessible 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. on Election Night. Ballot drop-off box locations are available at sfelections.gov/ballotdropoff.
On the same day, the Department will also launch the Accessible Vote-by-Mail (AVBM) System at sfelections.gov/access. This system allows any voter to download and mark their ballot using a screen reader, head pointer, sip-and-puff device, or other assistive technology. Completed ballots must then be printed and returned either by mail or in person.
Local voters can track their vote-by-mail ballots from assembly through delivery, signature verification, and counting. To do so, voters can navigate to the “Track My Ballot” tab at sfelections.gov/voterportal. Voters may also sign up to receive updates via text (SMS), email, or voicemail by visiting WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.
Any registrant who does not receive their ballot packet by October 10 is urged to contact the Department of Elections by calling (415) 554-4375, emailing sfvote@sfgov.org, or submitting a request through the “Request a Replacement Ballot” tab at sfelections.gov/voterportal. Replacement ballots may also be requested in person at the City Hall Voting Center.
The Department of Elections is committed to ensuring that every voter has the support needed to participate in the upcoming election. From voting options and accessibility services to language assistance, resources are available online at sfelections.gov or by phone at (415) 554-4375, where Elections staff can provide information in your preferred language and format.
###