Vote by Mail ballots begin going out Oct. 5. Here are the key dates, Spanish-language assistance options and ways to return and track your ballot.
Los Angeles County voters will soon begin receiving their ballots for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
The county will begin mailing Vote by Mail ballots Oct. 5, giving voters several weeks to review their ballots, make their selections, and return them before Election Day.
For Latino voters, especially those who prefer to receive election information in Spanish, knowing how to request language assistance can make the voting process easier to navigate.
When will L.A. County mail ballots?
L.A. County will begin mailing Vote by Mail ballots Oct. 5, 2026. Voters should not expect their ballots to arrive in the mail on the same day. Delivery will take place over the days that follow.
All active registered voters in Los Angeles County are automatically mailed a Vote by Mail ballot.
Voters can check their registration status and make sure their mailing information is current before ballots arrive.
The regular deadline to register to vote for the Nov. 3 election is Oct. 19. California also allows eligible voters who miss that deadline to register and vote through Election Day conditionally.
How to get a ballot in Spanish
L.A. County provides election materials and language assistance in Spanish and other languages.
To receive election materials in Spanish, contact the county’s Multilingual Services Section at 800-815-2666, option 3, and request your preferred language.
Voters can also receive assistance at Vote Centers, where language services and ballot-marking equipment are available.
For many Spanish-speaking voters, requesting materials in their preferred language can make it easier to understand the instructions, candidates, and measures on the ballot before making their selections.
What if I want my ballot in English?
Voters who prefer English can use the English-language ballot that is mailed to them. If you have questions about your language preference or want to change the language used for election materials, you can contact the county’s Multilingual Services Section.
L.A. County encourages voters to make language requests before they need to cast their ballot so there is enough time to receive the appropriate materials.
How to fill out your Vote by Mail ballot
When your ballot arrives, read the instructions carefully before marking it.
After making your selections:
Follow the ballot’s instructions for marking your choices.
Place your completed ballot inside the official return envelope.
Sign the outside of the return envelope. Your signature is required for the county to verify your ballot.
Check that the envelope is properly sealed before returning it.
You do not have to vote in every race or measure on the ballot. Leaving a contest blank does not prevent your other selections from being counted.
If you make a mistake while completing your ballot, check the instructions or contact the county elections office for guidance rather than guessing what to do.
How to return your ballot
L.A. County voters have several ways to return a completed Vote by Mail ballot.
You can:
Mail it using the return envelope provided with your ballot. No postage is required.
Drop it off at an official L.A. County Vote by Mail ballot drop box.
Return it at a Vote Center or the county elections office.
If you mail your ballot, election officials recommend sending it at least seven days before Election Day to allow time for delivery.
For the Nov. 3 election, a mailed ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the county within seven days to be counted.
Track your ballot after you send it
Voters can sign up for California’s Where’s My Ballot? service to receive notifications about the status of their Vote by Mail ballot.
L.A. County also provides tools that allow voters to check the status of their ballot.
Tracking your ballot can confirm when it was mailed, received, and processed by election officials.
Key dates for L.A. County voters
Oct. 5: L.A. County begins mailing Vote by Mail ballots.
Oct. 19: Regular deadline to register to vote.
Nov. 3: Election Day. In-person ballots must be returned by 8 p.m.
Nov. 10: Deadline for counties to receive mailed ballots that were postmarked by Election Day.
For Latino voters in Los Angeles County, the weeks leading up to Election Day are an opportunity to make sure they are registered, confirm their mailing information, and request election materials in the language they prefer.
Once the ballot arrives, voters can take their time reviewing the instructions and return it by mail, at an official drop box or at a Vote Center.
Where to get help
L.A. County election officials provide voter assistance in English, Spanish, and other languages. Voters can contact the county at 800-815-2666 for information about voting, ballots, and language services.
The California Secretary of State also provides voter information in Spanish, including registration information, election dates, and voting resources.
