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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

Missing your mail-in ballot? You're not alone

A voter sends his absentee ballot in the mail on Monday. More than half of California voters send their ballots in by mail, according to the office of the California Secretary of State.
A voter sends his absentee ballot in the mail on Monday. More than half of California voters send their ballots in by mail, according to the office of the California Secretary of State.
(
Jason Georges
)

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Vote-by-mail or absentee ballots have become the method of choice for voters in California. In 2012, more than half of voters cast their ballots by mail during the general election, according to the California Secretary of State's office.

But some voters have reported not receiving their ballots in time to get them in the mail, including Maggie Haga's two daughters. They registered to vote two months ago, but their ballots never came.

Haga told KPCC her daughters were first-time voters from Rowland Heights, and they expected to get their mail-in ballots well before the general election. Haga wanted them to review their options carefully and not get overwhelmed by waiting for hours on Election Day to vote in-person.

She checked online, and her daughters were both registered to vote in California. She registered for a mail-in ballot herself and got three ballots in the mail, all addressed to her. 

"I just don't know," Haga said. "I don't know what's happening." 

Haga and her daughters aren't alone, either, as some voters attested on Twittter.

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So what do you do if you still haven't received your vote-by-mail ballot?

Go to any polling location in your county and vote provisionally — it'll still count. You can get more last-minute voting tips like this from KPCC's Human Voter Guide.

In the meantime, Haga plans to accompany her daughters to her local polling place.

Voting has begun in California. KPCC is here for you and will help you develop your Voter Game Plan. Use our election guide to find your personalized ballot.

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