Voting Methods
All California active registered voters will automatically be mailed a Vote by Mail ballot beginning August 16, to ensure a safe and accessible voting option.
Returning a Vote by Mail Ballot:
- Return by Mail – Drop off your ballot at your local post office. The ballot must be postmarked by Election Day (September 14) and received within 7 days. No postage necessary.
- Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Boxes – 24-Hour Drop Boxes have been installed throughout LA County in order for voters to securely return their Vote by Mail ballots. Voters can drop-off ballots 24-hours per day at any drop box location beginning August 16 until 8:00 PM on September 14.
- The City of Manhattan Beach has two drop box locations available:
- South-side of the Manhattan Beach Art Center near the parking lot - 1560 Manhattan Beach Boulevard.
- Manhattan Beach Library – 1320 Highland Avenue
- Vote Center Drop Off - Drop off your Vote by Mail ballot at any Vote Center leading up to and on Election Day.
Track It! – The California Secretary of State recommends signing up for Where’s My Ballot?. This is a way for voters to track and receive notifications on the status of their Vote by Mail ballot. Voters can choose to receive automatic email, text, or voice call notifications about their ballot.
Still Prefer to Vote In-Person?
- In-Person Vote Centers - LA County voters can decide to vote at any Vote Center in the County and are not limited to local polling places as in previous elections. Some vote centers will open as early as September 4, with all Vote Centers open September 11 – September 14.
- The City of Manhattan Beach will host a 4-day Vote Center which allows for voting September 11-September 14:
- Manhattan Heights Community Center, Mt. Whitney Banquet Hall – 1600 Manhattan Beach Boulevard.
- Hours of Operation for In-Person Voting:
- 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM during the early voting period (September 11-September 13 in Manhattan Beach)
- 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Election Day (September 14) – if you are in line by 8:00 PM on Election Day, you will be given the opportunity to vote.
September 14, 2021 California Gubernatorial Recall Election
For the first time in nearly 20 years, California will hold an election that asks voters if they want to remove its Governor from office.
All California active registered voters will be mailed a vote by mail ballot that will ask two questions: 1) do you want to recall the governor? and 2) if the governor is recalled, who do you want to replace him?
If 50% or more vote NO, the governor would remain in office. If more than 50% vote YES, the governor would be removed from office and the person with the most votes would replace him.
More information regarding the Gubernatorial Recall Election including Frequently Asked Questions can be found through the Secretary of State.
General Election Information
The City Clerk is the local elections administrator for the City's General Municipal Election. The City Clerk's responsibilities include, but are not limited to: the preparation of necessary resolutions calling General or Special Municipal Elections; the coordination of the candidate nomination process; ballot designation and statement of qualification; the receipt and processing of initiative, referendum, and recall petitions; and the certification of election results.
In order to vote in an election, you must be a registered voter. Voter Registration Forms and other information can be obtained through any of the following means: