California General Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:08 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:28 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
California offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in California by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
California mails a ballot to every registered voter a few weeks before the election. Keep an eye on the mailbox! Be sure to mail it back so that it is postmarked by Election Day, or drop it in a drop box before or on Election Day. You can also vote in person if you prefer to do so. California offers early voting.
19 days to Election Day!
- If you're an active registered voter, you should receive your ballot in the mail. If you don't receive your ballot, contact your local election office.
- You can return your ballot by mail or in person. Visit the California website to find where to vote.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on California's website.
If you’re not registered:
- Register online by Oct 19.
- Your by mail registration form must be postmarked by Oct 19.
- You can register and vote at the same time when you vote in person during the early voting period or on Election Day. Visit the California website for information about when and where to register and vote in person.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on California’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the California Secretary of State website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on California's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about voting early in California.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check California’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
If you choose to vote in person and you’ve voted in California before, you don’t need to show ID.
If you’re a first time voter in a federal election who registered by mail and didn’t include your driver’s license number, California ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number on your registration, you may be asked to provide ID when you vote.
Acceptable forms include:
- copy of a recent utility bill
- the county Voter Information Guide you received from your county elections office or another document sent to you by a government agency
- copy of your US passport
- copy of your driver's license
- copy of your official state identification card
- copy of your student identification card showing your name and photograph
You can find a full list of acceptable forms of proof of identity on the California Secretary of State website.
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot.
Watch this video about provisional ballots from the California Secretary of State.
Can I register to vote online?
- California offers online voter registration.
- To register online in California, you need to provide a California-issued driver's license or California identification card number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and consent to the use of your DMV-stored digital signature to use California’s online voter registration system. If you don't have a California-issued ID or don't want to provide consent for the use of your digital signature, you can use the California Online Voter Registration system to fill out an application. You must then print the form or request that your local election office print and mail the form to you. The printed form must be completed and returned to your local election office by mail or in person.
Watch this video about online voter registration from the California Secretary of State.
Can I vote early?
Yes, California offers early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- In California, dates and times vary by where you live. Find when to vote.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check California's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
If you choose to vote in person and you’ve voted in California before, you don’t need to show ID.
If you’re a first time voter in a federal election who registered by mail and didn’t include your driver’s license number, California ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number on your registration, you may be asked to provide ID when you vote.
Acceptable forms include:
- copy of a recent utility bill
- the county Voter Information Guide you received from your county elections office or another document sent to you by a government agency
- copy of your US passport
- copy of your driver's license
- copy of your official state identification card
- copy of your student identification card showing your name and photograph
You can find a full list of acceptable forms of proof of identity on the California Secretary of State website.
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the California voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in California, you must provide your California driver's license number OR state ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you do not include any of these ID numbers with your application, you will be required to provide an acceptable form of ID when voting for the first time in a federal election.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in California partisan primary elections. However, some parties do not allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their party’s presidential, local, or county committee primary elections.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide proof of identification. Include an acceptable ID number, if you have one, on your application. If you do not have an acceptable ID number, you must instead submit with your application a COPY of identification documentation OR show proof of identification when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the California Secretary of State website.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by mail ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
Watch this video about by mail registration from the California Secretary of State.
How do I vote by mail?
California mails a ballot to every active registered voter a few weeks before the election. Keep an eye on the mailbox, and be sure to mail it back or drop it in a drop-box before Election Day.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot. After you have voted, insert your ballot in the envelope provided, making sure you complete all required information on the envelope.
- You may return your voted ballot by mail, in person, or to a drop box.
- If you choose to return your ballot through the mail, be sure to mail your ballot at least one week before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
- If you are returning your ballot in person or dropping it in a drop box, it must be delivered no later than the close of polls at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Find your closest drop box on California's site.
- Anyone may return your ballot for you, as long as they do not get paid on a per ballot basis. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must fill out the authorization section found on the outside of your ballot envelope.
If my election office finds an issue with my mail ballot after I return it, can I fix it?
In California, you can correct the following issues after you return your ballot to your local election office:
- a missing signature
- a signature that does not compare to your signature(s) on record
This process is called ballot curing.
Your local election office will reach out to give you instructions if they find an issue with this information on your ballot return envelope. Methods of outreach may vary.
Contact your local election office for more information about ballot curing.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.
Watch this video about voting by mail from the California Secretary of State.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
Yes, you can register using the Same Day Registration process at your voting location on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can register to vote in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- Same Day Voter Registration is a safety net for Californians who miss the deadline to register to vote or update their voter registration information. Voters can use the Same Day Voter Registration process, also known as conditional voter registration, from the day after the deadline all the way through Election Day. These ballots will be processed once the county elections office has completed the voter registration verification process.
- Learn more by visiting the California Secretary of State website or contacting your local election office.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In person during early voting : Oct 5 - Nov 2
- In-person at voting location on Election Day : Nov 3
- Online : Oct 19 by 11:59 p.m. PDT
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 19
Voting deadlines
- Early voting : varies by location
- Return ballot by mail (postmarked by) : Nov 3
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 8:00 p.m. PST
- California sends ballots to actively registered voters : Oct 5 - Oct 24
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
If you choose to vote in person and you’ve voted in California before, you don’t need to show ID.
If you’re a first time voter in a federal election who registered by mail and didn’t include your driver’s license number, California ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number on your registration, you may be asked to provide ID when you vote.
Acceptable forms include:
- copy of a recent utility bill
- the county Voter Information Guide you received from your county elections office or another document sent to you by a government agency
- copy of your US passport
- copy of your driver's license
- copy of your official state identification card
- copy of your student identification card showing your name and photograph
You can find a full list of acceptable forms of proof of identity on the California Secretary of State website.
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot.
Watch this video about provisional ballots from the California Secretary of State.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
Visit your local election office website to find your Voter Information Guide, which includes your sample ballot.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in California you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be a California resident
- be at least 18 years old or older on Election Day
- not be currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony
- not be currently found to be mentally incompetent to vote by a court
Watch this video about who can register to vote from the California Secretary of State.
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in California. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
Watch this video about military and overseas voting from the California Secretary of State.
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using California's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In California, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in California. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.