With the Nov. 3 General Election approaching, San Bernardino County voters have several ways to return their ballots, by mail, at a ballot drop box, an early voting location or a polling place on Election Day.
Have you ever wondered what happens to your mail ballot after you return it?
No matter how a ballot is returned, it goes through a series of steps at the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters to make sure it can be verified, processed and included in election results.
Ballots are securely transported to the Registrar of Voters following established chain-of-custody procedures to begin the verification process. Once signatures on envelopes are verified, ballots are removed from their envelopes and are ready to be counted.
Want results faster? Return your ballot early!
To ensure your ballot is included in Election Night results:
- Mail it by Tuesday, Oct. 27. No postage needed.
- Take it to a ballot drop box by Friday, Oct. 30.
- Drop it off at an Early Voting Location by Friday, Oct. 30.
If you’re mailing close to election day, don’t risk a late postmark. Take your ballot to the counter inside a post office and ask for a hand-stamped postmark.
Follow your ballot on its journey.
Sign up for the California Secretary of State’s “Where’s My Ballot?” tracking system to receive email, text or voice call notifications about the status of your ballot. Watch it go from “mailed” to “received” to “counted,” giving you peace of mind that your mail ballot has completed its journey.
Learn more about the Nov. 3 General Election at Elections.SBCounty.gov or call the Registrar of Voters at 909-387-8300.
Additional County Update News – October 8, 2026
- Shift happens: Get ready for the Great ShakeOut on Oct. 15
- Longtime county leaders step into new roles
- Board Actions, Oct. 6
- Operation Smash and Grab leads to 15 arrests
- County Fire completes North San Bernardino Fuels Reduction Project
- Charge into fire safety: Simple steps can help prevent fires
- Protect yourself and the community from respiratory virus infections
- Public Health launches Epic and MyChart to enhance patient care
- County and partners celebrate completion of new roundabout in Big Bear
- One month, thousands reached: September’s Behavioral Health impact
- Help shape a new Behavioral Health resource app for teens
- SBC Through Your Eyes: Apple Valley Airshow
- Submit your photos and videos of the county’s destinations, nature and cityscapes
- San Bernardino County history: Mount Baldy
- Things to do in San Bernardino County
- Pet of the Week: Foo