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First November Ballots Going Out to
California's Military and Overseas Voters Soon

SACRAMENTO - As early as September 5, California county elections officials will start the process of mailing November ballots to California voters serving in the military or living abroad.

The federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act requires military and overseas ballots be sent no later than 45 days before a federal election day. However, recognizing the extra time needed to get ballots to and from faraway locations, California county elections officials often start mailing ballots to military and overseas voters as much as 60 days ahead of Election Day under California Elections Code section 3105.

"More than 73,000 military and overseas ballots were mailed to California voters for the June election," said Secretary Bowen, the state's chief elections official. "Elections officials at every level go to great lengths to ensure California voters living far from home get what they need to participate in each election."

California military and overseas voters may use a Federal Post Card Application to simultaneously register to vote and request a ballot. The application, county contact information and essential election tips are at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_mov.htm.

California Secretary of State Debra Bowen also offers a dedicated email address at mov@sos.ca.gov to connect military and overseas voters to staff who can offer additional assistance.

To qualify as a military or overseas voter in California elections, a person must be:

• A U.S. citizen temporarily living outside U.S. territorial limits or the District of Columbia;
• An active member of the United States armed forces or an auxiliary branch;
• A person living on a merchant vessel documented under U.S. law; or
• A spouse or dependent of a member of the U.S. military or an auxiliary branch.

The last day to register to vote in the November 4 General Election is October 20.

Keep up with the latest California election news, trivia and tips by following @CASOSvote on Twitter.

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