Marking ballots is the same for Vote by Mail Voters, Polling Place Voters & Early Voters

Marking your ballot is the same process for those that vote at the polls and those that vote by mail--it's the same ballot marked the same way. Only the procedure to cast the ballot changes when you vote at the polls or vote by mail.

1. Remove the ballot stub from the top of the ballot; keep it - it’s your receipt.
   
   
2. Use a black or blue ink pen to fill in the box of your choice on the ballot. To AVOID bleed through on your ballot, do NOT use a felt tip pen except for the special felt tip pen provided at our polling places which does not bleed through.
   
   
3. Be careful
   
   

• Do not sign or print your name anywhere on the ballot.
• Do not initial your ballot, even if you make a change.
• Do not make extraneous markings, such as district drawings or numbers
  
  

4. If you make a mistake, see the poll worker on duty at the polls, give them your spoiled ballot and ask for a new one. (If you’re voting by mail you can mark an X on the spoiled ballot box on the flap of the return envelope and request another by mail—as long as there’s enough time, otherwise, you will need to come to the Elections Office).
   
   
5. Double-check your choices.
   
   
6. To Vote at the Polls: Put your completed ballot into the Eagle voting machine.
   
   
7. To Vote by Mail: Prepare the return envelope per the directions enclosed, add postage and put it in the mail. It must be received at Elections by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
   
   You may also drop off your completed ballot off at any polling place, City Hall (if there is a City election) or County Elections Office on Election Day.
   
   
8. To Vote Early:
   
   You may vote early by voting your Vote by Mail ballot at the Elections Office beginning 29 days before Election Day -
   
   40 Tower Road ,San Mateo, CA
   
   &
   
   555 County Center, Redwood City, CA