Due to a change in the law, our Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail (RAVBM) system that was reserved for voters with disabilities and military and overseas voters, is now available to all voters.

Voters must request a RAVBM for the November 5, 2024 election prior to the close of the polls. Email address is required!

RAVBM is not internet voting. It allows you to access your ballot from your computer, make your choices on the computer and then print it out to be returned to the county elections official.

The ballot is NOT returned electronically.

To prepare your ballot for return, you must place it in an envelope.

If you are using the envelope we provide, there are instructions on where to sign your name, print your name and address, and provide a way for us to contact you.

If you are using your own envelope, you may want to use two envelopes. On the first envelope, you will insert you ballot, seal the envelope and then sign your name, print your name and address, and provide a way for us to contact you. If you don’t want your personal information exposed, place the sealed envelope in a second envelope and write the return address on the envelope: Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections, 701 Ocean St. Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. You do not have to use the second envelope if you are returning your ballot in person or dropping it in one of our ballot drop boxes.

You may then return your ballot using one of the following methods:

  • Drop box – ballot drop boxes are available throughout the county. Click here for locations.
  • Mail – postage is paid if you are using our envelopes. If you are using your own envelope, you will need to affix postage. Make sure you mail your ballot no later than a week before the election. While California does allow a ballot that is postmarked on or before November 5, 2024 to be accepted and processed if it is received by November 12, 2024, you can never be too safe! So, please mail early!
  • In-person – you may return your ballot to the County Elections Office, City Clerks office or any in-person voting location located throughout the county. Click here for voting locations and times.

The first day ballots will be available to regular voters is October 7, 2024.

Ballots to military and overseas voters will be emailed beginning September 6, 2024.

If you have any questions, please call us at 831-454-2060 or email info@votescount.us.