The SLO County Elections Office is encouraging voters to plan ahead for the November 3 General Election by voting early, using an official ballot drop box, or voting early in person. A new option also allows voters to bring their completed mail ballot to their assigned polling place and place it directly into the precinct ballot box without an envelope.

Comprehensive election information and updates can be found at SloVote.gov/November2026. 

Voters with questions can contact the Elections Office at 805-781-5228 or elections@co.slo.ca.us. 

This information is from Elaina Cano County Clerk-Recorder {LINK}

VOTE EARLY - beginning Oct 5

More than 95 percent of SLO County voters choose to vote by mail ballot, though many opt to wait and cast it at a poll on Election Day. 

Beginning with this election, you can vote early in person:

• Beginning October 5 at the SLO Elections Office (1055 Monterey Street, Room D-120). Hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and on Election Day from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. It will also be open on Saturday, October 31 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

• Beginning October 26 at the Atascadero Elections Office (6565 Capistrano Ave - 2nd floor of the library). Hours Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 and from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Election Day, November 3.

One added benefit of voting early is that those ballots are included in the first batch of results posted on Election Night, and more ballots cast early will help speed up results reporting overall.

Postal Service

Ballots are on track to be sent to all registered voters no later than October 5.

• If you haven't recieved it by Oct 12, contact the Elections office at 805-781-5228 or elections@co.slo.ca.us. 

If you use the postal service to mail your ballot, use care. 

• Mail it at least 7 days in advance

• It must be postmarked on or before November 3. If mailing on November 3, get a manual postmark from a postal employee inside the office.

18 official ballot drop boxes 

The official ballot drop boxes open around the county on October 6.

There are 18 official ballot drop boxes around the county.

Drop off ballots as early as possible using the ballot drop boxes as a secure way to ensure that yours is received on time by elections staff. This ensures that it is retrieved in dual custody by trained elections staff and brought directly to the Elections Center. 

Another option is to return it in person to the Elections Office.

Election Day Nov 3

You can bring your voted mail ballot to your assigned polling place on Election Day, check in with the clerk, and then have that ballot go directly into the precinct ballot box without an envelope. This offers the convenience of voting at home with the benefit of having your ballot counted on Election Night.

As in the past, mail ballots can still be dropped off in their signed return envelope at any voting location in California. Those dropped off on November 3 will be scanned and processed in the days following Election Day. Current state law now requires that they be counted within 13 days of the election unless they require a signature cure.

California Ballot Tracking Service

The California Secretary of State offers a ballot tracking service that will alert voters to when their ballot is mailed out, as well as when it has been received and counted. 

To sign up for BallotTrax, visit WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.