Watch our Informational and Resource Video on the Voting Process
Important Dates
September 22, 2020 – National Voter Registration Day
October 19, 2020 – Voter Registration Deadline: Voter registration must be postmarked or submitted electronically for November ballot
November 3, 2020 – Election Date
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).
Qualifications to Pre-register to Vote
To pre-register to vote in California, you must:
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- Be 16 or 17 years old, and
- Meet all of the other eligibility requirements to vote.
You will automatically be registered to vote on your 18th birthday.
To Obtain a Paper Voter Registration Application
If you would like to register using a paper voter registration application, you can pick one up at your county elections office, library, Department of Motor Vehicles offices, or U.S. post office. It is important that your voter registration application be filled out completely and be postmarked or hand-delivered to your county elections office at least 15 days before the election.
To request a paper voter registration application be mailed to you, please call (800) 345-VOTE(8683) or email 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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- How to fill out a voter registration card
- Find your polling place
- Track your ballot
- Know Your Rights
- Official Voter Information Guide: Propositions
- Voter registration information flyer – English
- Voter registration information flyer – Spanish
- Voter registration information postcard – English
- Voter registration information postcard – Spanish