What does it mean to “Go Green”?
The Registration & Elections Division is required to send a Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet to all registered voters before every election. You can decide to "Go Green" and view your Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet electronically, instead of receiving a paper copy in the mail.
"Go Green" only applies to obtaining your Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet online. Your Official Ballot will be mailed to your residential address (or mailing address if provided).
Sign up to "Go Green" or check your "Go Green" status at My Election Info.
How do I sign up or check my "Go Green" status?
To check your "Go Green" status:
1. Go to My Election Info and enter your street number, zip code and date of birth.
2. Your status is listed after the districts.
You are "Go Green" if you have signed up for paperless electronic sample ballots.
To change your "Go Green" status:
1. Click on the orange plus.
2. Enter your driver's license or last four digits of your Social Security Number AND an email address and click Change Preference.
3. Your preference will change.
What are the benefits?
It’s Convenient
In just a few keystrokes you can access your Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet anytime from anywhere. There’s no need to keep track of where you put your paper copy—it’s always there!
It’s Flexible
You can view, save or print your pamphlet or email it to a friend within minutes. Plus, you can do this as many times as you like.
It’s Paperless
This reduces the copies of this pamphlet cluttering up your home and filling up your recycling bin.
It’s Multilingual
You can access your Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet in English, Chinese, Filipino or Spanish.
It’s Your Choice
If you find that you’d rather have a paper copy of the pamphlet, just let us know and we’ll supply one.
It’s Free
There’s no cost to make this publication available online; we’ve already produced it for print. If you choose a paperless copy of the pamphlet, it saves taxpayer dollars.
It’s Good for the Planet
Your choice to “Go Green” saves trees, reduces your carbon footprint and lessens the load in our landfills.
Where can I retrieve my Sample Ballot and Official Voter Information Pamphlet online?
Your pamphlet becomes available online approximately 40 days prior to an election. In the days leading up to an election, you can simply click on the My Election Info page and fill in the blanks to access your Sample Ballot and Official Voter Information Pamphlet and other voter materials.
If you provide us with an email when you sign up to “Go Green,” we’ll send you a notification email when your pamphlet is ready.
When will my request go into effect?
We will update your voter registration record when we receive your request. Please note that depending on the timing, we may have already mailed your Sample Ballot & Official Voter Information Pamphlet for an upcoming election, but will process your selection for the next election.
What if I change my mind?
If you decide that you prefer to receive a paper version of your Sample Ballot and Official Voter Information Pamphlet after you have signed up to “Go Green,” the law guarantees that you can revert to the paper version at any time.
To revert, you can:
- change your preference at My Election Info OR
- complete the Paper Voter Pamphlet Application and email to registrar@smcacre.gov or mail to:
Registration & Elections Division
Attn: Paperless Voter Pamphlet Signups
40 Tower Road
San Mateo, CA 94402