Skip to content
California
California
Voter
Information
Last updated:
California voter registration guide
California voter registration deadlines
- Register to vote (online): Received by October 19, 2020
- Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked by October 19, 2020
- Register to vote (in person): Received by November 3, 2020
Check your California voter registration status
- 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.
California voter registration rules
To register in California you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be a resident of California
- be 18 years old by Election Day (you may pre-register if you are 16)
- not be imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony, and
- not currently be judged mentally incompetent by a court of law.
Register to vote online in California
- You can register to vote online if you have a California driver's license, driver's permit, or a state ID card.
- 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 received by October 19, 2020.
Register to vote by mail in California
- Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- 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.
- 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.
- Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank.
- 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.
- Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your Local Election Office.
- Your voter registration form must be postmarked by October 19, 2020
Register to vote in person in California
- Contact your Local Election Office to find where to register to vote in person.
- 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.
California same day registration
- Summary: California has same day registration. You can register and vote during the early voting period and on Election Day.
- Where to go:
Go to your designated voting location. Click here to find where to vote.
- What to bring:
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.
- Need help? Contact your Local Election Office if you have questions.
- Notes:
Same day registration starts 14 days before an election and runs through Election Day.
California vote by mail guide
The Local Election Office will compare your signature on your voted ballot to the one on your voter registration card. If the signatures don't match, your ballot might be rejected. Please sign carefully.
California vote by mail deadlines
- Earliest day to apply: January 1, 2020
- Request your mail-in ballot (online): N/A
- Request your mail-in ballot (by mail): Received by October 27, 2020
- Request your mail-in ballot (in person): Received by October 27, 2020
- Return your mail-in ballot (by mail): Postmarked by November 3, 2020
- Return your mail-in ballot (in person): Received by November 3, 2020
California vote by mail overview
Voting by mail is not as complicated as you might think. There are only a handful of steps:
- Request your mail-in ballot by the deadline.
- Receive your mail-in ballot via USPS.
- Return your mail-in ballot by the deadline.
California vote by mail rules
Any registered California voter may request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
California vote by mail ID requirements (request)
The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
California vote by mail ID requirements (return)
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.
California vote by mail directions
- California will automatically send a mail-in ballot to every registered voter for the November 3, 2020 election.
- If you need to update your mailing address permanently, register to vote again using your new mailing address.
- If you need to update your mailing address temporarily -- because you will be out of town for the November 3, 2020 election -- request a one-time absentee ballot.
Request your mail-in ballot via USPS
- Download the California vote by mail application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your Local Election Office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- 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.
- The deadline to apply by mail is: received by October 27, 2020.
Request your mail-in ballot in person
- Visit your Local Election Office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is: received by October 27, 2020.
Receive and return your mail-in ballot
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your Local Election Office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a state-provided dropbox. Please check with your Local Election Office if your county has a dropbox. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official dropbox.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be postmarked by November 3, 2020.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by November 3, 2020.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
Additional California voter information
California early voting
- 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: 1 day before Election Day
- What to bring: Most California voters do not need to show ID. First time California voters should plan on showing ID at the polls. You can show a photo ID issued by any state or the federal government, a student ID issued by an accredited college or university, or a tribal ID. If you don't have a photo ID, you can show a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or official government document that shows your name and current address.
California voter id
- ID requirements for voting in person: Most California voters do not need to show ID. First time California voters should plan on showing ID at the polls. You can show a photo ID issued by any state or the federal government, a student ID issued by an accredited college or university, or a tribal ID. If you don't have a photo ID, you can show a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or official government document that shows your name and current address.
- ID requirements for vote by mail request: The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
- ID requirements for vote by mail return: 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.
Local Election Office
Contact your Local Election Office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for California elections. You can contact them with questions, but your Local Election Office will probably respond faster.
Secretary of State Elections Division 1500 11th Street, 5th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814
Offsite links
- Check your voter registration directly with California.
- You have the right to vote. If anyone tries to stop you, call or text the National Election Protection Hotline. Their number is 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).