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Ballot processing update
Estimated number of ballots left to count: 0
- Vote by mail ballots received on or before Election Day: 0
- Vote by mail ballots received after Election Day: 0
- Ballot can still be received in the mail (postmarked on or before Election Day) until May 13.
- Provisional ballots: 0
Challenged Vote by Mail Ballots: 78 uncured
- Pending review, missing a signature or signature does not compare. Voters are notified of issue.
Number of ballots counted: 7,028
There are no offices for candidates for this election.
Anyone may observe all aspects of the election process so long as they do not interfere.
Key dates
Daily Ballot Processing Schedule: Activities listed below depend on the workflow cycle and may not be conducted every day. You may call the Elections Department at 415-473-6456 for information about a specific activity.
- April 7: Preparing vote by mail ballots for counting can start and will continue daily until all ballots are processed. The process includes removing ballots from envelopes and duplicating damaged ballots.
- April 7: Preparing vote-by-mail ballots for counting can start and will continue daily until all ballots are processed. The process includes removing ballots from envelopes and duplicating damaged ballots.
- April 7: Elections Department opens for in-person voting services.
- Apr 18: Test of ballot counting equipment is scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM in the Elections Department.
- Apr 18: Counting vote by mail ballots may start and will continue daily (depending on the number of ballots ready to count) until all ballots are counted. This process includes scanning and adjudication of ballots.
- May 6: Election Day. The Elections Department will be open for in-person voting services from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- May 7: Canvass will begin at 8 a.m. in the Elections Department.
- TBD: The manual tally (audit) of ballots is conducted at the end of the canvass period and will continue until the manual tally (audit) is finished. Notice of the specific date will be posted five (5) days in advance online, on our Home Page, and at the Civic Center Hall of Justice
Notes:
- Ballot processing may occur and can be observed in other areas within the Civic Center, but all observers must first go to Suite 121 to check in.
- Mail and Ballot Drop Box Pick-up times vary each day. Email us in advance for information about observing these procedures.
Observer guidelines
Notice of ballot processing
Anyone may observe all aspects of the election process. Ballot processing is performed weekdays in the Elections Department at the locations listed below between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. except as noted.
Ballot processing may take place between the extended hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and may take place during these same hours on some weekends as well. Notice of specific weekend dates on which ballot processing will occur will be posted at least 48 hours in advance of those dates. You may call the Elections Department at the number listed below for information about the daily processing schedule.
Ballot processing includes:
- Sorting returned vote-by-mail ballots;
- Verifying signatures on ballot envelopes;
- Removing ballots from envelopes;
- Duplicating damaged ballots;
- Counting vote-by-mail ballots;
- Counting vote center ballots returned each day and on Election Day after vote centers close at 8 p.m.;
- Processing provisional and conditional voter registration ballots during the canvass period;
- Conducting a manual tally of ballots at the end of the canvass period.
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Elections Department location:
Suite 121 Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael.**
Call 415-473-6456 for information.** Ballot processing may occur and can be observed in other areas within the Civic Center, but all observers must first go to Suite 121 to check in.
Preparing vote-by-mail ballots
Preparing vote-by-mail ballots for counting can start 29 days before the election in the Elections Department office during regular business hours, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ballot processing may take place between the extended hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. Work will continue during the canvass period until all ballots are processed.
Counting vote-by-mail ballots
Counting vote-by-mail ballots can start 29 days before the election in the Elections Department office secure room during regular business hours, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ballot processing may take place between the extended hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. Counting will continue during the canvass period until all ballots are processed.
Ballot Drop Boxes
Ballot Drop Boxes will be available 28 days before the election. All Ballot Drop Boxes close precisely at 8 p.m. on Election Day. See our List of Drop Box Locations for address and hours of operation.
Manual tally
The manual tally of ballots is conducted at the end of the canvass period in the Elections Department office during regular business hours, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Work will continue until the manual tally is finished. Notice of the specific date will be posted online five days in advance.
The Elections Department is located in Suite 121 of the Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. Call (415) 473-6456 for more information.
Due to the law passed by the California legislators, every active registered voter will automatically receive a ballot in the mail. Find information here about voting by mail.
| Dates | Election Events |
|---|---|
| April 7 |
|
| April 8 | Vote by mail Ballot Drop Boxes available. |
| TBD |
Public test of ballot counting equipment at the Elections Department. Public test of ballot counting equipment is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Elections Department. |
| April 21 | Voter Registration deadline. |
| April 22 | Conditional Voter Registration and same day voting begins at the Elections Department. |
| April 29 | Last day to request a vote by mail ballot by phone to be mailed (voters can still pick up a ballot at the Elections Department). |
| May 6, 2025 | Election Day, the Election Department open form 7 am to 8 pm. |
Information about local measures ON the ballot
Information for filing measures, arguments, and rebuttals
February 17 is the deadline to file arguments for local measures. Arguments must be filed during regular business hours, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Warning: corrupting the voting process is prohibited!
Violations Subject to Fine and/or Imprisonment.
What activities are prohibited
- DO NOT commit or attempt to commit election fraud.
- DO NOT provide any sort of compensation or bribery to, in any fashion or by any means induce or attempt to induce, a person to vote or refrain from voting.
- DO NOT illegally vote.
- DO NOT attempt to vote or aid another to vote when not entitled to vote.
- DO NOT engage in electioneering; photograph or record a voter entering or exiting a polling place; or obstruct ingress, egress, or parking.
- DO NOT challenge a person’s right to vote or prevent voters from voting; delay the process of voting; or fraudulently advise any person that he or she is not eligible to vote or is not registered to vote.
- DO NOT attempt to ascertain how a voter voted their ballot.
- DO NOT possess or arrange for someone to possess a firearm in the immediate vicinity of a polling place, with some exceptions.
- DO NOT appear or arrange for someone to appear in the uniform of a peace officer, guard, or security personnel in the immediate vicinity of a polling place, with some exceptions.
- DO NOT tamper or interfere with any component of a voting system.
- DO NOT forge, counterfeit, or tamper with the returns of an election.
- DO NOT alter the returns of an election.
- DO NOT tamper with, destroy, or alter any polling list, official ballot, or ballot container.
- DO NOT display any unofficial ballot collection container that may deceive a voter into believing it is an official collection box.
- DO NOT tamper or interfere with copy of the results of votes cast.
- DO NOT coerce or deceive a person who cannot read or an elder into voting for or against a candidate or measure contrary to their intent.
- DO NOT act as an election officer when you are not one.
Employers cannot require or ask their employee to bring their vote by mail ballot to work or ask their employee to vote their ballot at work. At the time of payment of salary or wages, employers cannot enclose materials that attempt to influence the political opinions or actions of their employee.
Precinct board members cannot attempt to determine how a voter voted their ballot or, if that information is discovered, disclose how a voter voted their ballot.
The prohibitions on activity related to corruption of the voting process summarized above are set forth in Chapter 6 of Division 18 of the California Elections Code.
Warning: electioneering prohibited!
Violations Can Lead to Fines and/or Imprisonment.
Where
Within the immediate vicinity of a person in line to cast their ballot or within 100 feet of the entrance of a polling place, curbside voting or drop box the following activities are prohibited.
What Activities Are Prohibited
- DO NOT ask a person to vote for or against any candidate or ballot measure.
- DO NOT display a candidate’s name, image, or logo.
- DO NOT block access to or loiter near any ballot drop boxes.
- DO NOT provide any material or audible information for or against any candidate or ballot measure near any polling place, vote center, or ballot drop box.
- DO NOT circulate any petitions, including for initiatives, referenda, recall, or candidate nominations.
- DO NOT distribute, display, or wear any clothing (hats, shirts, signs, buttons, stickers) that include a candidate’s name, image, logo, and/or support or oppose any candidate or ballot measure.
- DO NOT display information or speak to a voter about the voter’s eligibility to vote.
The electioneering prohibitions summarized above are set forth in Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Division 18 of the California Elections Code.
RAVBM is open to all voters. See the California Secretary of State's RAVBM site for more details.
What
Allows any voter to download, mark, and print their ballot at home. Voters may also use their own assistive technology to read and mark the ballot. Remote Accessible Vote by Mail (RAVBM) is not “internet voting,” you must print and return your marked ballot.
Who
Any voter may use this service by requesting a link via email — enter RAVBM in the subject line.
When
Service is available starting twenty nine (29) days before the election until about 12:00 pm on Election Day.
How
Ballots must be printed by the voter and returned in an envelope. The envelope must have the following information written on the outside:
- The words - Ballot Enclosed
- The Voter's Name (clearly printed)
- The Voter's Signature
Where
Return the voted ballot in signed envelope using one of these methods:
- Drop box — locations and times vary by election. See a List of Drop Boxes for the most current election.
- Mail — must be postmarked on or before Election Day.
Questions or comments?
Email Us or call 415-473-6456.
There are no vote center locations for the May 6, 2025 - Vote By Mail Special Election. All voters will be sent a ballot by mail. If you need in-person service go the Election Department.