You have a choice in how you receive your County Voter Information Guide (which includes your Sample Ballot) and the State Voter Information Guide: paper or electronic.
By default, every registered voter will receive a paper Voter Information Guide in the mail. You can also “go green” and opt out of a paper guide; you will instead receive an electronic Voter Information Guide by email. The email you share for this purpose is for internal use only and will not be shared with candidates or any other third parties.
If you prefer not to opt out of paper, you can still find an electronic, accessible copy of your guide online beginning 29 days before each election. Read more about where to do this on the Online Accessible Voter Information Guide page.
The choice to opt-out of your paper Voter Information Guide originated with State Assembly Bill 1717, passed on January 1, 2011.
If you have difficulty following the instructions below or have more specific questions about opting out of your paper Voter Information Guide, call our office at 530-886-5650 or toll-free at 1-800-824-8683.
How to Change Your Opt-Out Preference
There are two methods to opt out or opt back into receiving a paper Voter Information Guide. You can submit our online form or go to voterstatus.sos.ca.gov and change your preferences under the “Election Materials” heading.
Method 1: Placer County’s Online Form
The online form takes a moment to load and may appear blank for a few seconds.
California law requires us to confirm your identity. We do this by requiring you to enter your full name, email address, residence address, and either a California Driver’s License number, California Identification Card number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. The Driver’s License or Social Security digits are only required in the online form due to the absence of a signature. All this information remains confidential.
Under Delivery Options, choose one of the two options:
- I no longer want to receive my Voter Information Guide by mail (Opt-Out)
Indicates a voter wants to receive an electronic guide by email. They will not receive a paper guide in the mail. - Please send my Voter Information Guide by mail again (Opt-In)
Indicates a voter wants to receive a paper guide in the mail. They will not receive an electronic guide by email.
Finally, fill out the CAPTCHA to help us prevent automated submissions and click Submit.
Method 2: Secretary of State’s My Voter Status Page [voterstatus.sos.ca.gov]
If the online form doesn’t work for you, you may log in to your My Voter Status page to opt-out directly. This has the added advantage of letting you choose your delivery preference separately for your County and State Voter Information Guides, changing your preferred language, and seeing details about your voter record and voting history. Our online form opts you out of or into both.
To log in, you must provide your first name, last name, date of birth, and typically BOTH your California Driver’s License/Identification Card number AND last four digits of your Social Security number. If you do not have both, there are additional instructions on the login page.
Once logged in, scroll down to the “Election Materials” section. Here, you can select Yes or No for each of the two subheadings:
- I want to get my state voter information guide by mail before each statewide election.
- I want to get my county voter information guide by mail before each election.
You must provide an email address if you are opting to receive either of the guides electronically under the “Email Contact Information” heading. When you are ready to save your changes, click Save.
Important Note About Late Requests
Please keep in mind that depending upon when you submit your form, your Voter Information Guide mailing for the upcoming election may already be in process.
If you submit your request less than 65 days before a scheduled election, it will not take effect until the next election. You can still access an electronic copy of your Voter Information Guide online starting 29 days before each election. See the Online Accessible Voter Information Guide page for details.
6 Good Reasons to Opt Out and Receive Your Guide Electronically
1. It’s Convenient
In just a few keystrokes you can access your Voter Information Guide anytime from anywhere. There is no need to keep track of where you put your paper copy, it’s always there!
2. It’s Flexible
You can view, save, or print all or part of your Voter Information Guide and send it to a family member or friend. You can do this as many times as you like.
3. It’s Paperless
You won’t have more paper or multiple copies of your Voter Information Guide cluttering up your home and filling up your recycling bin.
4. It’s Your Choice
If you change your mind and would rather receive a paper copy of the Voter Information Guide, you can. Either of the opt-out methods above also lets you opt back in.
5. It’s Free
There’s no cost to make this publication available online; we have already produced it for print. If you choose a paperless copy of your guide, it saves taxpayer dollars.
6. It’s Good for the Planet
It saves trees, reduces the carbon footprint, and lessens the load in our landfill.
Go Green!