Vote By Mail - Frequently Asked Questions

There are three legal deadlines for ballots to be sent out to voters. However, mail ballots will be sent out as soon as they can.

• UOCAVA: Ballots must be sent out 45 days before Election Day (September 19, 2020)
• Out of state: Ballots must be sent out 40 days before Election Day (September 24, 2020)
• In-state: Ballots must be sent out 20  days before Election Day (October 14, 2020).

In Clark County, voters will receive three different types of mailings from the election department:

1. A sample ballot: list of all the races and the candidates
2. Supplemental information: list of ballot questions (including for and against arguments), general information about vote by mail, deadlines, mail ballot drop off locations, early voting sites and schedule, and Election Day sites and schedule
3. The Mail Ballot package:

• A two-page ballot (will be longer if it is not in English)
• Instructions on how to cast the ballot
• A pre-paid postage envelope to return the ballot
• “I Voted” sticker

Voters should, at the latest, receive their mail ballot by October 17. If you do not receive a ballot (or any of the other supplemental materials), we recommend you:

• Check the address listed on their voter registration information.
• Call your county’s election department to request a replacement ballot

You may also request another ballot if yours is damaged or stained. Eligible voters who are not able to request and receive a replacement ballot in time can still vote in-person during Early Vote (Oct. 17-30) or on Election Day.

• Vote by completely filling in the oval to the right of each of your ballot choices.
• Use a black or blue ink pen. DO NOT use felt tip pens. Mark your choices in each contest or question by completely filling in the oval to the right of each of your ballot choices.
• Send back BOTH pages of the ballot. Even if one page is blank, returning both pages ensure efficient processing. (There will be a few extra pages of the ballot for ballots that are not in English.)
• Avoid stray marks and tearing the ballot.
• Do not put the “I Voted” sticker on your ballot.
• Do not sign your actual ballot.
• If you choose to vote on some candidates or questions and not others, your ballot will be counted for those you have voted on. This will not invalidate your ballot.
• If you mark more choices than permitted in a single contest, no vote will be counted for that contest, but the rest of your correctly marked ballot will be counted.
• If you do make a mistake or change your mind while voting your ballot, do not use correction fluid or tape. Simply cross out the name of the candidate or question you do not wish to vote for and completely fill in the oval to the right of the candidate or question you do want to vote for.

To return ballots via mail, voters must:

1. Detach and keep the ballot stub (if not already removed).
2. Seal their voted mail ballot in the pre-addressed, postage-paid, return envelope that was included in the packet they received. Do NOT mix and match envelopes or compile multiple ballots in one envelope. Each envelope is barcoded specifically for each voter.
3. Sign the outside of the envelope in the space provided for a signature. There MUST be a signature in order for the ballot to be counted, as the signature is used for verification purposes. 
4. One the envelope is signed, fold at the lines indicated, moisten the folded flag where indicated and fold over again to seal it. The sealed flap serves as a signature cover designed to protect your privacy.
5. If sending by mail, ensure the envelope is postmarked by November 3, 2020.

A ballot without a signature was the most common error from the primary election! A ballot without a signature WILL NOT be accepted. If a ballot is received without a signature, the election department will send a letter in the mail. If they have an email address or phone number on file for you, they will contact you using those methods as well.

This is not the time to switch up your usual handwriting or signature. It doesn’t have to exactly match the signature you used to register to vote once upon a time, but it shouldn’t be totally different either.

Voters who are physically disabled or at least 65 years of age or unable to read or write may ask another person to:

• Mark and sign a mail ballot for them; and
• Provide assistance in marking and signing a ballot

The person who actually marks a mail ballot and signs the return envelope for a voter requiring assistance must:

• Submit a written statement in the return envelope with the mail ballot that includes his or her name, address, and signature; or
• Indicate next to his or her signature that the mail ballot has been marked and signed on behalf of the voter 

You may vote in-person during early voting or on Election Day, but you may need to sign an affidavit saying you will not send in a Mail Ballot as well.