How to vote in California
You're a U.S. citizen? Then you vote like anyone else. Five questions, in the order you'll ask them. Every date links to the page I read it on.
Can I still register?
- Online: by .
- By mail: your form has to be postmarked by .
- In person: up to and on Election Day itself. See same day registration, below.
Missed the deadline? You can still register and vote on the same day, during early voting and on Election Day.
After the deadline you can still register and vote at your county elections office, a vote center or a polling place. This is called conditional registration.
Register on the state's own form. Not sure you are registered? Look yourself up on the state's own lookup.
Source: California Secretary of State, Elections. Checked 11 October 2026.
Can I vote early?
Yes, California has early voting in person.
The dates: For this one, go by the state's own page: California Secretary of State, Elections.
Every county must offer early voting for at least 10 days before Election Day. Many counties start sooner and set their own sites and hours.
Source: California Secretary of State, Elections. Checked 11 October 2026.
Can I vote by mail?
Yes, and you do not have to ask. California mails a ballot to every registered voter.
- Send it back: your ballot has to be postmarked by .
Source: California Secretary of State, Elections. Checked 11 October 2026.
What do I bring?
Most voters do not need ID. Only some first time voters who registered by mail and gave no ID number may be asked for it.
Source: California Secretary of State, Elections. Checked 11 October 2026.
Where and when on 3 November?
Election Day is .
- Polls are open: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Where to go: look it up on the state's own lookup.
Source: California Secretary of State, Elections. Checked 11 October 2026.
The last word
The state's election office has it, not me. If anything here differs from California Secretary of State, Elections, the state is right. I checked these pages on 11 October 2026, and rules can change after that.
I tell you how to vote. I never tell you who to vote for. See how the people who represent California score on Iran, or see how Iranians in one district vote as one.
Not a citizen yet? Here is what your papers allow.