How to vote in California

• Register to vote (online): 15 days before Election Day
• Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked 15 days before Election Day
• Register to vote (in person): Election Day

• If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your California registration using the California voter registration lookup tool.
• If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.

• You can register to vote online if you have a California driver license, driver permit, or a nondriver ID card issued by the DMV.
• Visit the California online voter registration tool.
• Fill out all the required fields.
• You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
• You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
• The deadline to register to vote online is 15 days before Election Day.

1. Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
2. Box 6 - ID Number: Provide your California driver’s license or California identification card number. If you do not have these numbers, provide the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you do not have any of these numbers, write "NONE" in this space.
3. Box 7 - Choice of Party: California has a somewhat complicated primary system. If you do not choose a political party, you might not be able to vote in that party's primary election.
4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank.
5. Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
6. Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
7. Your voter registration form must be postmarked 15 days before Election Day

1. Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
2. Bring your California driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or Federal Government, and bring one document that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.

• Earliest day to apply: January 1
• Request deadline (online): N/A
• Request deadline (by mail): Received 7 days before Election Day
• Request deadline (in person): Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Postmarked by Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day

California does not allow you to request your ballot online.

1. Download the California absentee ballot application.
2. Fill out all of the required fields.
3. Print the application.
4. Sign and date your application. This is very important.
5. Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
6. If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
7. The deadline to apply by mail is: Received 7 days before Election Day.

1. Visit your local election office.
2. Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
3. Fill out all of the required fields.
4. Sign and date your application.
5. The deadline to apply in person is: Election Day.

1. Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
2. Sign and date the outside envelope.
3. Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a state-provided drop box. Please check with your local election office if your county has a drop box. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
4. If you mail your ballot, it must be postmarked by Election Day.
5. If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
6. If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.

• ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot: The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
• ID required when returning a mail-in ballot: Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.

• Early voting starts: Some counties offer early voting at a few locations before Election Day. Contact your county elections office to see if they offer early voting.
• Early voting ends: Some counties offer early voting at a few locations before Election Day. Contact your county elections office to see if they offer early voting.