Stanislaus County voters have received their ballots in the mail. Now what?
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story included incorrect information on Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
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As the primary election approaches, there are several ways Stanislaus County voters can cast their ballots without having to wait until the rush on Election Day, June 2.
The Stanislaus County Registrar’s Office is already collecting ballots at drop boxes and curbside drop-off locations. Vote centers will be open up to 10 days before Election Day for in-person voting.
Vote by mail
Stanislaus County voters should have received their ballots in the mail. For voters who decide to mail their ballot back through the U.S. Postal Service, the window to vote has already started. As soon as the ballot is completed, it can be mailed back.
Unlike other types of mail, postage is not required for ballots in California.
Because ballots do not get postmarked within the county, it’s important to mail them early to ensure they are postmarked by the June 2, 8 p.m. deadline. Otherwise, they may not be counted.
For voters who feel snail mail isn’t their speed, there are other ways to vote.
Drop boxes
There are 33 drop-off boxes throughout the county that are already receiving ballots as of May 4. The ballots from the drop boxes are gathered by election officials regularly.
The majority are in Modesto, but there are six in Turlock, three in Oakdale, two in Ceres, two in Riverbank, and one each in Hughson, Patterson, Waterford and Newman, along with one in each of the unincorporated communities of Denair, Empire, Salida and Crows Landing.
Vote centers
For voters who prefer a more hands-on approach, six in-person vote centers will be open Saturday, May 23, with 25 more to open May 30. One additional vote center will open June 1 in Patterson.
All vote centers are ADA compliant, The North Modesto Church of God, Hughson Senior Center, Turlock Library, Salida Library and the Lopes Orchards De Paul Center in Patterson will additionally have carts to can roll out to vote from the car. The Stanislaus Veterans Center, Stanislaus County Registrar’s Office, Ceres American Legion Hall and Calvary Baptist Church will have sign language interpretation kiosks on site.
Today is the last day to register to vote online or by postmarked registration, but in case eligible voters miss it, they can register and vote provisionally at the polls through election day.
Curbside ballot drop-off
There are three locations where voters can drive up and drop off a ballot with election workers: the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, Stanislaus Culinary Arts Institute in Oakdale and California State University, Stanislaus, in Turlock. These locations will open Monday, June 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Whatever way Stanislaus voters decide to vote, they can register to receive a text message when their vote has been counted at the California Secretary of State’s website.
This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 4:30 PM.
