Election Notifications (Mailings)

The Yolo County Elections Office regularly sends election notifications or mail to voters. These mailings, most often required by law, range from notification cards to information cards to ballots. The United States Postal Service election mail logo helps voters easily identify our mail. It is important to review any election mail you receive, as it may be a notice regarding your registration status, information on voting locations and official ballot drop boxes, or your ballot. Keep reading for the different types of mailings you may receive from our office.

Voter Registration Form

Voter Registration Forms are mailed out per the request of the voter. When you receive this form, please complete it and mail it back. This form is postage-paid.

Voters may also register or update their registration online at the California Secretary of State's website at https://registertovote.ca.gov/

Image of the front face of the paper version of the California Voter Registration Card Image of the back of the paper version of the California Voter Registration Card

Voter Notification Card

Voter Notification Cards (VNC) are sent to notify the voter that the Yolo County Elections Office has updated the voter's registration record. VNCs are also sent when there is a voter registration update from the Department of Motor Vehicles or any change of address information provided directly by the voter. 

When you receive this card, please review the information to ensure it is correct. If you are satisfied with the information, no further action is needed. To update the information, you can re-register online at https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

If the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the VNC to the voter’s mailing address, the card cannot be forwarded to the voter. The VNC is returned by the U.S. Postal Service to the Elections Office as undeliverable. The voter is then inactivated.

Image of the front side of the Voter Notification Card (Postcard)               Image of the back side of the Voter Notification Card (Postcard)

Change of Address Notification Card (2225(b))

Change of address notices, as specified by section 2225(b) of the Elections Code, are mailed when the Yolo County Elections Office receives a mailing returned by the U.S. Postal Service due to an address change within Yolo County or the state. Many of our mailings cannot be forwarded so that we receive the undeliverable return mail.

If you receive a change of address notification card, please verify we have the correct information.

If the information is incorrect, please correct it on the card, sign it, and return it to the Yolo County Elections Office. Individuals with power of attorney cannot sign for a voter. Only voters may sign the card when submitting a new address on this card. Once we receive the card, we will update the voter’s registration record.

If you receive a card for someone who no longer lives at your address, please check the first box to indicate the change of residence and sign the card. When the Elections Office receives the card, we will inactivate the voter’s registration record.

If the voter has an address change on file with the U.S. Postal Service, the Change of Address Notification Card is forwardable to the new address.

Image of the front side of the Change of Address Postcard used for voter file maintenance under EC 2225(b)   Image of the back side of the Change of Address Postcard used for voter file maintenance under EC 2225(b)

Address Confirmation Card (NVRA 8D-2 and Elections Code §2225(c))

These cards are sent when a voter’s record is made inactive after the Yolo County Elections Office receives mail from the U.S. Postal Service indicating a voter has moved, and no forwarding address is provided. These cards are also sent when we are notified that voters may no longer reside at the address.

This mailing complies with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of Section 2057 of Title 52 of the U.S. Code or "8d-2"), which states that the voter has until 15 days before the next election to return the card. If the voter does not return the card and lives within California, the voter may be required to show proof of their residential address to vote in future elections. If the voter does not return the card before the second federal general election following its mailing, then the voter’s registration will be canceled, and the voter will have to re-register to vote.

If you receive this card forwarded to your new address or mailing address, please enter the correct information and return it to the Yolo County Elections Office with your signature.

If the information is incorrect, please correct it on the card, sign it, and return it to the Yolo County Elections Office. Individuals with power of attorney cannot sign for a voter. Only voters may sign their cards when submitting a new address. Once we receive the notice, we will update the voter’s record.

If you receive a card for a voter who no longer lives at your address, please check the first box to indicate the change of residence and sign the card. When the Elections Office receives the card, we will inactivate the voter’s registration record

For more information regarding voter list maintenance, please visit the California Secretary of State’s website at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/nvra/laws-standards/nvra-manual/chap-4/.

Image of the front side of the Address Confirmation Postcard used for voter file maintenance under NVRA Section 8(d)2   Image of the back side of the Address Confirmation Postcard used for voter file maintenance under NVRA Section 8(d)2

Pre-Election Residency Confirmation Card

Before a primary election, the Yolo County Elections Office must send out an address verification card to active voters.  We also send this outreach card to inactive voters to maintain an updated voter registration database. See the Frequently Asked Questions below.

  1. If the living location and mailing address are correct, check the appropriate box, sign, and return this card. Failure to return the card will not affect your voter record or ability to receive a vote-by-mail ballot.

  2. If you received this postcard for a voter who no longer lives at your address/location, check the appropriate box, sign, and return this card. Failure to return the card will result in you receiving voting materials for this voter.

  3. If you received this postcard for a voter who no longer shares your mailing address, check the appropriate box, sign, and return this card. Failure to return the card will result in you receiving voting materials for this voter.

  4. If the living location and mailing address are incorrect, check the appropriate box and provide the correct information to update your voter record. Sign and return this card. Failure to return the card with the updated information may result in you not receiving your voting materials.
Image of the front of the fold-over Residency Confirmation Postcard used for voter file maintenance prior to an election   Image of the back of the fold-over Residency Confirmation Postcard used for voter file maintenance prior to an election


Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why did I receive this address confirmation card?
    California Elections Code §2220 requires that this card be mailed to each voter before the primary election. For more information regarding voter list maintenance, please visit the Secretary state’s website at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/nvra/laws-standards/nvra-manual/chap-4/.

  2. How can I update my name, address, and political party preference?
    You can register online at https://registertovote.ca.gov/ or complete a voter registration card at any library, post office, or DMV.

  3. Why are you sending this mailing?
    The goal is to maintain an accurate and up-to-date voter registration file.

  4. Does this mean someone tried to change my information?
    No. The law requires us to mail this card to each voter.

County Voter Information Guide

Prior to each election, this booklet is prepared, printed, and mailed by the Yolo County Elections Office. The County Voter Information Guide (CVIG) contains important information about the election, such as a list of Ballot Drop Box Locations and Vote Centers; a sample of the Official Ballot (Sample Ballot); candidate statements; legal text, impartial analyses, and arguments in favor of or against local ballot measures; an application form to opt-out of receiving paper copies of the state and county voter information guide and instead receive a link to an electronic version; and a Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail ballot application form.

The CVIG contains the website addresses for the accessible version of the County Voter Information Guide, facsimile ballots or copies of translated ballots, and an online search application to find a list of ballot drop box and vote center locations near your address.

The CVIG is mailed starting approximately 40 days before, but by at least 29 days before, the date of the election. An online accessible version is also available on the county elections website during the voting period. (California Elections Codes §§ 13300 - 13317) 

This is not the same as the state Official Voter Information Guide prepared by the Secretary of State.

Image of the front cover of the Yolo County Voter Information Guide

Voters Choice Act Mailer #1

In accordance with the Voters Choice Act, we ensure that you receive two informative mailers. The first mailer is designed to keep you informed about your upcoming ballot. It will include details about when your ballot will arrive and how you can access a facsimile ballot in a language other than English.

Image of the front side of the first mailer (postcard) under the Voter's Choice Act
Image of the front side of the first mailer (postcard) under the Voter's Choice Act

Voters Choice Act Mailer #2

In accordance with the Voters Choice Act, we ensure that you receive two informative mailers. The second mailer specifically focuses on crucial details about the official ballot drop box locations within your county and the opening times of vote centers.

Image of both sides of the second mailer (postcard) under the Voter's Choice Act

No Party Preference Crossover Card

Before each presidential primary election, voters who are registered with no political party preference and those registered with a non-qualified party will receive a notice of their options for the primary election. The card will list those qualified parties that allow No Party Preference voters to vote on their presidential party ballot and information on how to request the party ballot.

Instructions for Voters

As a No Party Preference voter, you have three options:

  1. Do nothing. You will receive a nonpartisan ballot that does not include candidates for President.

  2. Request a ballot from the qualified parties allowing No Party Preference voters to vote on their presidential contest.

  3. Re-register to vote for one of the qualified political parties that require voters to be registered with their party.

The list of qualified parties is available on the California Secretary of State's website https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/political-parties

Image of the front side of the foldover NPP Crossover Request Postcard mailed prior to a Presidential Primary