New California Law Requires Free Postage For Mail Ballots

By Bill McEwen, News Director

Published 6 years ago on

July 18, 2018

SACRAMENTO — California is requiring counties to provide free postage for vote-by-mail ballots statewide.
Gov. Jerry Brown announced Wednesday that he signed the bill requiring that return ballot envelopes have prepaid postage beginning in 2019.

10 Counties Will Pay Postage for November Ballot

Currently, 10 of the state’s 58 counties plan to provide postage ballots for the November election. Counties would bear the cost but they may be able to claim reimbursement from the state.

California Mail Ballots Would Have Cost $5.5 Million in 2016

It would have cost $5.5 million had the law been in place for the 2016 general election. The measure affects elections starting next year.

Portrait photo of Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher
Democratic Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher of San Diego says the bill eliminates a barrier that disproportionately discouraged voting by young adults because they are less likely to regularly use the postal system.
She says postage can cost up to $1 per ballot.
The bill is AB216.

DON'T MISS

Jeffrey Sachs Warns of Looming US War With Iran

DON'T MISS

Cat House on the Kings Urgently Needs You to Donate Dollars and Adopt Your New Best Friend

DON'T MISS

The Surprising Sexual Politics of Nicole Kidman’s Kinky ‘Babygirl’

DON'T MISS

Why It’s Hard to Control What Gets Taught in Public Schools

DON'T MISS

FDA Approves Weight-Loss Drug to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea

DON'T MISS

In a Calendar Rarity, Hanukkah Starts This Year on Christmas Day

DON'T MISS

A Look at the $100 Billion in Disaster Relief in the Government Spending Bill

DON'T MISS

It’s Eggnog Season. The Boozy Beverage Dates Back to Medieval England but Remains a Holiday Hit

DON'T MISS

9-Year-Old Among 5 Killed in Christmas Market Attack in Germany

DON'T MISS

Biden Signs Bill That Averts Government Shutdown, and Brings a Close to Days of Washington Upheaval

UP NEXT

University of California Campuses Resolve Discrimination Complaints Stemming From Gaza Protests

UP NEXT

California Declared an Emergency Over Bird Flu. How Serious Is the Situation?

UP NEXT

Chinese National Charged With Acting as Beijing’s Agent in Local California Election

UP NEXT

CA Lemon Law Will Provide Car Buyers Fewer Protections in 2025

UP NEXT

FBI Raids Home of LA Deputy Mayor Following City Hall Bomb Threat Probe

UP NEXT

White House Pushes to Find American Journalist Abducted in Syria

UP NEXT

Liberal Donors Plot to Overturn Republican House Majority in 2026

UP NEXT

The ‘Murder Hornet’ Has Been Eradicated From US, Officials Say

UP NEXT

Gov. Newsom Declares State of Emergency Over Bird Flu Outbreak

UP NEXT

Troubled California Teens Gain Protections Under Law Championed by Paris Hilton

Bill McEwen,

News Director

Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email