Election 2024

Instructions for Returning an Accessible Vote-by-Mail Ballot
I. Introduction to the Accessible Vote-by-Mail System

The Accessible Vote-by-Mail (AVBM) System allows you to mark a screen readable vote-
by-mail ballot. For security reasons, the AVBM system does not store or transmit
votes over the internet. After marking an AVBM ballot, you must print out your ballot,
place it in the envelope, and return the ballot envelope to the San Francisco Department of
Elections.
If your computer is not connected to a printer, you may save your marked ballot as
a PDF to print elsewhere.
II. Ballot Return Methods

You can return your AVBM ballot printout using Method A or Method B.
Only voters living outside the United States or called for military service within the United
States on or after October 29, 2024, can return their AVBM ballot printout by fax using
Method C.
Method A. Return your AVBM ballot printout using two plain envelopes:
1. Place your ballot printout into a plain envelope, then seal the envelope.
2. Write “Official Ballot – To Be Opened Only by the San Francisco Department of
Elections” on the front.
3. Enclose a Voter Oath and Ballot Return Form (click here to access the form), along
with your ballot envelope, in a 2nd envelope.
4. Add postage to the outer envelope, and address it to:
San Francisco Department of Elections
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
City Hall, Ste. 48
San Francisco, CA 94102
Method B. Return your AVBM ballot printout using the official ballot return envelope
enclosed with the vote-by-mail packet:
1. Place your ballot printout into your official ballot return envelope.
2. Complete the return envelope. You must sign the envelope for your ballot to be
counted!
3. Peel away the self-sealing strip to seal the envelope. Postage is required if mailed
outside the United States.
Method C. Return your AVBM ballot printout by fax:
1. Complete a Voter Oath and Ballot Return Form (click here to access the form). You
must sign and return this Form for your ballot to be counted!
Page 1 of 2
2. Fax your ballot printout and the completed Form in the same fax transmission to
(415) 554-4372.
III. Ballot Return Deadlines

Regardless of the Return Method you choose, to be counted, you must return your
ballot on time!
Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Election Day, November 5, 2024, and
received by the Department of Elections no later than November 12, 2024. If you mail your
ballot on Election Day, please check the last collection time -- if the last mail collection has
already occurred, your ballot will be postmarked late and will not be counted. You can
search for locations of USPS boxes and mail collection times at usps.com/locator.
Ballots returned directly to the Department of Elections must be dropped off no later
than 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 5. You may drop off your ballot at one of these
locations:
• Any of the City’s 37 drop boxes, open 24/7 from October 7 through 8 p.m. on
Election Day, November 5. (For locations, visit sfelections.gov/ballotdropoff)
• The City Hall Voting Center, open every weekday starting October 7 from 8 a.m.-5
p.m. (except the October 14 holiday), the two weekends prior to Election Day from
10 a.m-4 p.m., and on Election Day from 7 a.m.- 8 p.m.
• Any of the City’s 501 polling places, open on Election Day from 7 a.m.- 8 p.m. (For
locations, visit sfelections.gov/myvotinglocation)
• Any drop box, vote center, or polling place in California.
Ballots returned by fax must be accompanied by the Voter Oath and Ballot Return Form
and received by the Department no later than 8 p.m. Pacific Time on Election Day,
November 5, 2024.
Any voter who is unable to return their vote-by-mail ballot may authorize another person to
return their ballot by mail. To authorize someone to return your vote-by-mail ballot for you,
complete and sign the Ballot Return Authorization section on your official ballot return
envelope.
Questions?
For any questions or technical support, please call the Department of Elections between 8
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may also email questions to the Department
at any time (please allow at least 24 hours for a response):
• (866) 325-9163 (toll free)

• TTY: (415) 554-4386
• sfvoteabroad@sfgov.org

Election 2024

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Instructions for Returning an Accessible Vote-by-Mail Ballot

I. Introduction to the Accessible Vote-by-Mail System

II. Ballot Return Methods

Method C. Return your AVBM ballot printout by fax:

III. Ballot Return Deadlines

• (866) 325-9163 (toll free)

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