Voting Methods:

1. Paper Ballots – voted by mail and at polling places*. 

2. Assistive technology is provided at polling places under the Federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) for those with sight or mobility impairments or limited reading skills who need help with voting. It offers voting through audio and visual means, and allows the use of assistive devices (i.e., sip & puff, stylus, etc.).

3. Remote Accessible Vote by Mail (RAVBM)All voters who desire to cast a ballot with assistance from a screen reader or other technology to read and/or to mark their ballot may access their ballot via a secure portal. Your ballot can be read by the technology of your choice and marked on your home marking device. You will still have to print the ballot and return the ballot by mail or in person.**

*To cast a ballot at the polls you must bring your vote by mail ballot with you. Any voter who does not have a ballot to surrender will be assisted with a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot will be counted as soon as the voter information on the envelope is verified and the voter is determined to be eligible to vote (for example, the voter has not already returned a vote by mail ballot). 

** The Remote Accessible Vote by Mail ballot program does not allow blank ballots to be printed. A marked ballot must still be accompanied by a signed voter oath. Only one ballot will be accepted per registered voter upon verification of the voter’s signature and voter information.

Voting in Monterey County

All voters will receive a ballot by mail approximately 29 days before the election. Voters may return their ballot in the mail (postage is prepaid); to an official ballot return location in the state; or to any in-person voting location in the state. To cast a ballot at the polls, voters must bring their vote by mail ballot with them. Any voter who does not have a ballot to surrender will be assisted with a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot will be counted as soon as the voter information on the envelope is verified and the voter is determined to be eligible to vote (for example, the voter has not already returned a vote by mail ballot). 

Paper ballots have been the primary method of voting in Monterey County since November 2007.  In addition, the federal Help America Vote Act and state regulations require assistive voting technology be made available at each polling place. Any voter who wishes to use assistive technology should ask a poll worker for help. Voting assistance is also on hand at our office during the 29 day early voting period before each election.

How to Vote Using Paper Ballots

When voting with a paper ballot use a blue or black ink pen to fill in the oval next to the candidate’s name. For a measure, fill in the oval next to the word “YES” or “NO.”

Instructions to vote on paper ballots

How to Identify How Many Candidates to Vote For

The "Vote for" instructions are located at the top of the column for each candidate contest. In some contests, such as Governor or District Attorney, there is only one seat available.  In that case, you will see the words “Vote for One.”  In other contests, such as school board member or city council, there may be more than one seat available.  In those cases, you will see the words “Vote for No More Than Two” or “Vote for No More Than Three".

"Vote for One" - You may only vote for one candidate.

"Vote for no more than..." - You may vote for one up to the maximum number of candidates.

How to Vote For an Official Write-in Candidate

For most candidate contests, there is a blank space at the bottom of the list of candidate names. This space can be used by the voter to enter the name of a qualified write-in candidate. Only those write-in votes for candidates who actually filed paperwork can be counted.  

Using paper ballots, after writing in the name of the candidate, fill in the oval next to the name.

What is an Overvote?

Because we use paper ballots, HAVA requires that we give information on the effects of overvoting and how to request a new, or replacement ballot. 

An overvote is when a voter has made more marks on the ballot than the maximum number of votes allowed for a contest.  For example, the candidate contest indicates “Vote for No More than Two” and the voter votes for more than two candidates.  It may help voters to review their paper ballot to make sure they have not overvoted by mistake.  The overvoted contests are flagged by the paper ballot counting machine and cannot be tallied.  All other properly marked contests on the paper ballot will be counted.  Our assistive voting technology is designed to prevent overvotes.

What is an Undervote?

An undervote is when a voter has made fewer marks on a ballot than the maximum number of votes allowed for a contest. For example, the candidate contest tells the voter “Vote for No More than Two” and the voter only votes for one. Undervoting can also mean leaving one or more contests or the entire ballot blank. It may help voters to review their paper ballot to make sure they have not missed any contests by mistake.  Undervoted ballots are counted and reported, even if completely blank.  Our assistive voting technology will tell voters if they have undervoted. If this happens they will be able to go back and vote on any missed contests.

Requesting a New Ballot When You Spoil the First One

Poll place ballot:  Return the spoiled ballot to the poll worker and ask for a new one.  

Mailed ballot:  Call the elections office for a replacement (831) 796-1499 or (866) 887-9274. You can also return the ballot in person directly to the Elections Department or bring it to your assigned polling place on Election Day.

If you do not bring your vote by mail ballot with you on Election Day to give to the poll worker, you will be asked to vote on a provisional ballot.

Remote Accessible Vote by Mail (RAVBM)

RAVBM allows all voters with or without disabilities to vote at home using their own assistive technology to read and mark their ballot independently and in private. Military and Overseas voters can also use RAVBM to mark and print their ballot. Use was expanded in 2020 to include any active voter. There are safeguards in place to maintain the integrity of the ballot while facilitating access with RAVBM. Both access to the RAVBM program and the security measures in place are prescribed by law.

For more information, please call (831)796-1499 or email VBM@co.monterey.ca.us