Election Mail

Monterey County Elections regularly sends mail to voters. These mailings, most often required by law, range from notification cards to ballots. Our mail is easily identified by the Monterey County Elections mailing logo. It is important to review any election mail you receive as it may be a notice regarding your registration status, change in polling place, or a ballot. Keep reading for the different types of mailings you might receive from our office.

Notice of District Boundary Changes

Voting households who have minor districts that have changed from an at-large to by-division method of voting or who have added divisions but are not going to election will receive a notice regarding the change.

Pre-Election Residency Confirmation Card

Before a primary election, the Monterey County Elections Department is required by law to send out an address verification card to active voters in the county. This mailer will also notify voters about possible major district changes following the 2020 U.S. Census. These districts include Congress, State Assembly, State Senate and County Supervisor. The text that follows includes what you should do when you receive the card and frequently asked questions.

Instructions for Voters

1. Review the information to make sure it is current.

   • Verify your name, residential address and mailing address.

2. If the information is correct, you may disregard the notice.

3. If your information needs to be updated, please visit the Secretary of State’s website at www.registertovote.ca.gov or complete a voter registration card available at the DMV, libraries, or post offices.

4. If the person on the card does not live at the address, please return it to your mail carrier with a note that the person does not live at the address.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did I receive this address confirmation card?
   California Elections Code 2220, requires that this card be mailed to each voter before the primary election. For more information regarding voter list maintenance, please visit the Secretary of State’s website at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/nvra/laws-standards/nvra-manual/chap-4/.

2. How can I update my name, address and/or political party preference?
   You can register online at https://registertovote.ca.gov/ or you can complete a voter registration card at any library, post office or DMV.

3. What is the goal of this mailing?
   The goal is to maintain an accurate and up-to-date voter registration file.

4. Does this mean someone tried to change my information?
   No. The law requires us to mail this card to each voter.

5. Why is this card in English and Spanish?
   Pursuant to the Federal Voting Rights Act, our mailings to Monterey County voters must be in English and Spanish.

6. I don’t have a traditional residential address and had to provide a description on the registration card, the address on the card is not a true address, what should I do?
   For voters who do not have a specific residential address (for example, those voters in a homeless situation or those voters in areas with no residential addresses like Carmel-by-the-Sea), the Monterey County Elections Department generates a “registration address” based off of the description location the voter provides. It is the department’s way to place voters in their correct voting precincts. This is for voting purposes only. If voters should sign petitions, they should continue to describe their residential addresses.

7. Why are my voting districts listed on this card?
   This was to notify you of possible changes following the 2020 U.S. Census. These districts include Congress, State Assembly, State Senate and County Supervisor

No Party Preference Cross-Over Card

Prior to each presidential primary election, vote by mail voters who are registered with no political party preference and those registered with a minor party will receive a notice of their options for the primary election. The card will list those major parties that allow No Party Preference voters to vote on their presidential party ballot and information on how to request the party ballot.

Instructions for Voters

As a No Party Preference voter, you have three options:

1. Do nothing. You will receive a ballot that does not include candidates for President.

2. Fill out the online No Party Preference Cross-Over Application

3. Request a ballot for the American Independent, Democratic, or Libertarian presidential candidate. Complete the card, your signed request can be emailed to vbm@co.monterey.ca.us, faxed to (831)755-5485, or mailed to the Elections Department. You can also call us at (831) 796-1499. (These political parties allow No Party Preference voters to vote in their primary.)

4. Re-register by February 20, 2024, to vote for a Green, Peace and Freedom, or Republican presidential candidate. (These political parties require voters to be registered with their party.) Re-register to vote online at www.registertovote.ca.gov

Voter Notification Card

Voter Notification Cards (VNC) are sent to notify the voter that the Elections Department has updated a voter's record. VNCs are also sent when there is a voter registration update from the Department of Motor Vehicles and any change of address information provided directly by the voter.

Instructions for Voters

When you receive this card, review the information to make sure it is accurate. If you are satisfied with the information, no further action is needed. If you would like to update the information, you can re-register online at https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

Change of Address Notification Card

Change of address notices are mailed when the Elections Department receives a mailing returned by the Post Office for address changes within Monterey County or within the state.

Instructions for Voters

If you receive a change of address notification card, please verify the information is correct.

If the information is incorrect, please correct the information on the card, sign and return it to the Elections Department. Individuals with power of attorney cannot sign for a voter. Only voters may sign the card. Once we receive the card, we will update a voter’s registration record.

Address Confirmation Card (8D2)

These cards are sent when a voter’s record is made inactive after the Elections Department receives mail from the Post Office where a voter has moved and there is no forwarding address provided. These cards are also sent when there is notification that a voter may no longer reside at the address.

This mailing complies with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) Section 8(d)(2) that states that the voter has until 15 days before the next election to return the card. If the voter does not return the card and lives within California, the voter may be required to show proof of his or her residential address to vote in future elections. If the voter does not return the card between the date of this notice and the second federal general election following the mailing of the card, a voter’s registration will be cancelled, and the voter will have to re-register to vote.

Instructions for Voters

If you receive this card, please verify the information is correct and return it to the Elections Department with your signature.

If the information is incorrect, please correct the information on the card, sign and return it to the Elections Department. Individuals with power of attorney cannot sign for a voter. Only voters may sign their cards. Once we receive the notice, we will update the voter’s record.

For more information regarding voter list maintenance, please visit the Secretary of State’s website at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/nvra/laws-standards/nvra-manual/chap-4/.