Track your ballot in the Prop 50 California special election – NBC Los Angeles

More than 5.4 million registered voters in California have already completed and returned their ballots for Tuesday’s Prop 50 special election.

But how do you know what happens to your ballot after you submit it?

The state of California offers a ballot tracker that allows voters to receive updates once they’ve checked Yes or No and see the status of their vote-by-mail ballot.

Here’s what to know.

How can I track my ballot?

Voters can track their ballot via the Vote by Mail Status Tool. To track the status of a ballot, voters will need their last name, date of birth, house number or residential zip code. 

Subscribing to BallotTrax will allow voters to receive notifications on Vote by Mail ballot every step of the way via automatic email, SMS (text), or voice call notifications. Alerts will be sent when the election office mails the ballot, receives the ballot from the voter and counts the ballot. If there is a problem with the ballot an alert will also be sent. 

Voters having difficulties tracking their ballot can call (800) 815-2666 or email [email protected] for help.

Most states and the district of Columbia offer similar ballot tracking programs.

Find a vote center

All 251 LA County vote centers will be open daily before the election from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. or in-person voting, voter registration, and vote by mail ballot returns. On Election Day, vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Map: Find a LA County vote center near you

More that 5 million vote-by-mail ballots, sent to California’s 23 million registered voters, had been returned as of Tuesday, according to the Secretary of State. In Los Angeles County, 952,231 of the more than 5 million vote-by-mail ballots issued have been returned.

Voting by mail

Ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days by county elections officials will be processed, verified and counted. Elections officials recommend mailing ballots at least seven days prior to Election Day.

Ballot drop box locations

The map shows ballot dropbox locations in Los Angeles County.

According to the California Secretary of State, ballots are collected from dropboxes regularly.

• From unstaffed drop boxes every 48 hours – excluding Saturdays and Sundays – after the 10th day prior to an election through the closing of the polls on Election Day.
• Every 96 hours – excluding Saturdays and Sundays – between the 29th day before the election and the 10th day before the election.
• From staffed drop boxes at least every 72 hours – excluding Saturdays and Sunday –  after the 10th day before the election through the closing of the polls on Election Day.

Additional ballot dropbox locations for the following counties can be found here:

What does a ballot drop box look like?

All official dropboxes will have the text “Official Ballot Drop Box” clearly marked on the outside of the box.

Ballot boxes in Los Angeles will typically feature a blue, yellow, and white color scheme, written instructions on side, and seal of Los Angeles county. Ballot boxes across counties have different designs. 

Ventura County boxes are typically white with red lettering, Orange County boxes are orange, white, and brown while boxes in Riverside and San Bernardino counties feature a red, white, and blue design. 

Boxes are often bolted into cement or chain into place to meet national security standards.  

Ballots are picked up regularly by two county election workers. Problems or issues can be reported here.

Tampering with a drop box is a felony under California elections code.

How to register to vote

Eligible voters who have not yet registered can visit any vote center, complete a conditional voter registration and cast a ballot in this election. Once the registration is validated through the statewide database, the ballot is processed like all others.

About the Prop 50 special election

The special election includes only one measure, Proposition 50, which is a proposal to temporarily redraw California’s congressional district lines for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections in an attempt to create more Democratic seats in the House.