Any registered voter can vote by absentee ballot in California. The reasons vary for those who do – from being out of state on Election Day to simply wanting to avoid the polling place. So you want to vote absentee? There are several ways to do it. One is to fill out the ballot request included in the sample that registered voters receive in the mail. You can also go to the county elections office. Once you get your ballot it must be completed and returned to your local elections official. California League of Women Voters President Jacqueline Jacobberger says it’s important to factor in the time it takes to travel by snail mail.    JACOBBERGER :07—In California you have to get your absentee ballot to the elections department by 8 pm on Election Day.  Applications for absentee ballots must be in the hands of county registrars by October 26th. Bob Hensley KXJZ News.