Register to Vote

Voting is one of the most direct forms of civic engagement. It gives every eligible voter an equal voice in choosing representatives and deciding issues that affect their community. Regardless of income, education, occupation, or social status, each person's vote carries the same weight—one person, one vote. Registering to vote is the first step toward exercising that voice and participating in the decisions that shape our shared future.

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Click here for more information or Register to Vote in California​

• Pre-Register to Vote for 16 or 17 years old

• Update name, residence address, mailing address, or party affiliation

• Check your Voter Registration Status

• Safe at Home Program

• College Students and Voters living abroad

• Cancel Voter Registration

• Voter Bill of Rights

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Understand your Ballot

Voting is one of the most direct ways to participate in civic life. Every eligible voter has an equal opportunity to cast a ballot and have a voice in choosing representatives and deciding issues that affect their community.

As a general rule, Election Day falls on the Tuesday after the first Monday of the election month. In California, statewide primary elections are generally held in June and general elections in November, although special elections may be held at other times.

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California uses a Top Two Primary system for most voter-nominated offices. During the primary election, voters may see several candidates running for the same office. The two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election, regardless of political party. Different rules apply to presidential elections, party-nominated offices, and some local elections. Local city elections may also be governed by the city's charter or municipal election rules.

Before an election, voters receive voter information materials explaining the contests, candidates, and measures applicable to them. What appears on your ballot is determined by the jurisdictions and electoral districts in which you live. Your ballot may include contests or measures for your city, county, state legislative districts, congressional district, school or special districts, and other jurisdictions.

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In short, where you live determines what appears on your ballot. Even people who live near each other may receive different ballot types because they live in different electoral districts or jurisdictions.

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Voting

Voters have the option to vote from home using a vote-by-mail ballot or to vote in person at a vote center. Voting generally begins 29 days before Election Day and continues through Election Day. On Election Day, vote centers are typically open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Shortly after the polls close, the first reported results usually include vote-by-mail ballots that were received and processed before Election Day, followed by ballots cast at vote centers as they are returned and tabulated. California counties have up to 30 calendar days after Election Day, including weekends, to complete the official canvass and count all eligible ballots. The Secretary of State then has up to eight additional days to certify the final statewide results, meaning certification may occur up to 38 days after Election Day. Voters can follow the progress of ballot tabulation through their county elections office and may also be able to schedule a tour or observe the counting and canvass process in person.

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How Your Ballot Is Counted

After you cast your ballot, election officials verify that it is eligible to be counted while protecting the secrecy of your votes. For vote-by-mail ballots, the information and signature on the return envelope are reviewed before the ballot is separated from the envelope, preserving voter privacy. Ballots are then processed and tabulated using certified voting systems. Election officials conduct required audits, reconcile the number of ballots cast, and review ballots that need additional attention before the election results are certified. Your identity is used to verify your eligibility to vote, but it is not connected to the choices you made on your ballot during tabulation.

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Voters with Special Circumstances

Some voters may need different procedures, accommodations, or protections to register and cast their ballot. California and federal election laws provide options to help eligible voters participate regardless of their living situation, disability, language, location, or other circumstances.

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Living Circumstances

• Voters Experiencing Homelessness – Voters do not need a traditional street address to register. A location where they regularly stay can be used to establish voting residence.

• Military and Overseas Voters – Members of the military, eligible family members, and U.S. citizens living abroad have special procedures for registering, receiving ballots, and returning ballots.

• Voters with Medical Emergencies – Voters who are hospitalized, become seriously ill, or experience another medical emergency close to Election Day may have options for obtaining and returning a ballot.

• Voters Living in Hospitals, Nursing Homes, or Care Facilities – Voters who cannot easily travel to a voting location may have options for receiving assistance and obtaining or returning their ballot.

• Safe at Home / Confidential Voters – Eligible participants in California's Safe at Home address-confidentiality program have special procedures designed to protect their residential address.

• Certain Incarcerated and Justice-Involved Voters – Some people in county jail, on probation, awaiting trial, or otherwise involved with the criminal justice system remain eligible to vote. Eligibility depends on the person's particular circumstances.

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Accessibility & Language

• Voters with Disabilities – Accessible voting services and equipment are available for voters with physical, visual, hearing, cognitive, or other disabilities.

• Blind or Low-Vision Voters – Accessible voting equipment and Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail (RAVBM) may allow eligible voters to read and mark their ballot privately and independently.

• Voters Who Need Assistance Marking a Ballot – A voter who cannot independently read or mark a ballot may receive assistance, subject to certain legal restrictions on who may provide that assistance.

• Voters Unable to Sign Their Name – An inability to write a traditional signature does not automatically prevent someone from registering or voting. Alternative procedures are available.

• Voters Needing Language Assistance – Depending on the jurisdiction, translated election materials, bilingual election workers, facsimile ballots, or other language assistance may be available.

• Conservatorships - an individual who is under a conservatorhip is permitted to register to vote unless that individual has been disqualified from voting. 

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Special Situations

• High School and Young Voters – Eligible California residents who are 16 or 17 may pre-register to vote. Their registration becomes active when they turn 18 and become eligible to vote.

• New U.S. Citizens – Newly naturalized citizens may have special registration procedures available, particularly when naturalization occurs close to Election Day.

• Conditional / Same-Day Registration Voters – Eligible voters who miss California's regular voter-registration deadline may generally use Conditional Voter Registration to register and cast a provisional ballot through Election Day.

• Voters Who Recently Moved – A change of residence may change a voter's precinct, electoral districts, ballot type, or voting location. Special rules may apply when a voter moves shortly before an election.

• Voters Who Changed Their Name – Voters who change their legal name should update their voter registration. Procedures are also available when a voter's registration information has not yet been updated.

• First-Time Voters and Identification Requirements – California generally does not require identification at the polls, but some first-time voters may be required to provide identification under federal law.

• Voters Who Did Not Receive, Lost, or Damaged Their Ballot – Voters may generally request a replacement vote-by-mail ballot or use other available voting options.

• Voters Who Made a Mistake on Their Ballot – A voter who incorrectly marks or damages a ballot may generally request a replacement ballot before the original ballot is cast.

• Voters with Missing or Mismatched Signatures – If a vote-by-mail ballot envelope is missing a signature or the signature does not sufficiently compare with the signature on file, California provides procedures that allow eligible voters an opportunity to correct, or "cure," the problem.

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Unusual Living Arrangements

• Voters in Remote or Isolated Locations – Depending on the voter's circumstances, alternative voting methods such as vote-by-mail or accessible remote voting may be available.

• Voters Living at a Business Address– A business address generally cannot be used as a voter’s residence simply because the voter owns, works at, or receives mail at the business. However, if the voter actually lives at the business location and considers it their residence, different rules may apply. The address used for voter registration must represent the voter’s residence for voting purposes, not merely a business or mailing address. Voters with an unusual living arrangement should contact their county elections office for assistance in determining the appropriate registration address.

• Voters Living on a Boat or in a Vehicle - Living on a boat, in a car, van, RV, or other vehicle does not automatically prevent an eligible person from registering and voting. A voter must identify a location that qualifies as their residence for voting purposes, while a separate mailing address may be used to receive election materials. Because individual living arrangements vary, voters who are unsure what address to use should contact their county elections office for assistance.

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Disasters & Emergencies

• Voters Affected by Natural Disasters or Emergencies – Wildfires, floods, evacuations, or other emergencies may result in relocated voting locations, extended procedures, or other emergency voting accommodations.

Having an unusual circumstance does not necessarily mean you cannot vote. If you are eligible to vote, there may be a procedure, accommodation, or protection available to help you exercise that right. When in doubt, contact your local elections official for assistance.

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Ways to Get Involved

Civic engagement goes beyond casting your own ballot. You can get involved by serving as a poll worker, hosting or volunteering at a voter registration drive, helping others learn how and where to vote, attending public meetings, signing or circulating petitions, providing public comments, contacting elected officials, or participating in community organizations and local advocacy efforts. Whether you have a few minutes or several hours to contribute, there are many ways to participate in the civic process and help strengthen your community.

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For more information visit California Secretary of State / Elections

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