Countdown to California Polls Closing in the 2026 General Election
Countdown Timer
Registration
Who Can Vote
Important Dates
Resources
Watch: Completing a California Voter Registration Card
Registration
- Voter registration application, please click HERE
- Pre-register to vote application (for California residents age 16 and 17 who want to be future voters), click HERE
- Check your registration status, click HERE
- If you are registering or re-registering less than 15 days before and election you will need to complete the Same-Day-Voter-Registration process.
Who Can Vote
To register in California you must:
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- Be a United States citizen
- Be a resident of California
- Be at least 18 years old or older on Election Day
- Not currently in state or federal prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony (for more information, please see Voting Rights: Persons with a Criminal History), and
- Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court (for more information, please see Voting Rights: Persons Subject to Conservatorship).
Important Dates
August 2026 – Voters can start checking their voting status and confirm mailing address at My Voter Status
August, 2026 – Online Voter Information Guide available
- The guide will be available in Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese after September 9, 2026.
October 5, 2026 – vote-by-mail ballot mailed to registered voters
October 5, 2026 – Early Voting sites open
October 6 – November 3, 2026 – Find your open ballot drop-off locations for vote-by-mail ballots
October 19, 2026 – last day to register for general election
NOTE: Voters can conditionally register and vote after the 15-day voter registration deadline. For more information please go to Same Day Voter Registration
October 20 – November 3, 2026 – same day registration available
November 3, 2026 – Election Day, polls open throughout California from 7am-8pm
All Other Voting Information
For all other questions on where and how to vote, please visit HERE. You can also call (800) 345-VOTE (8683) or visit Elections Division staff.
Q&A
How do I register to vote?
California offers voter registration online, by mail, and in person. Online voter registration is available at RegisterToVote.ca.gov. You can also request and complete a paper voter registration form and mail or hand deliver it to your county elections official to register to vote.
I just moved, do I need to re-register?
Yes you do, you must re-register if you move to a new permanent address, change your name and/or change your political party choice. The process to re-register is the same as registering as a new voter.
Resources
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- 2026 California Election Guide
- How to fill out a voter registration card
- Find out where to cast your ballot
- Track your ballot
- Know Your Rights
- Voting Q&A
- Print/Download Voter registration information flyer – English
- Print/Download Voter registration information flyer – Spanish
- Print/Download Voter registration information postcard – English
- Print/Download Voter registration information postcard – Spanish