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Text Content

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Become a Poll Worker Today

It’s never too early to help democracy! By signing up to be a poll worker, you
can ensure that all voters—including voters with disabilities, voters who need
language assistance, and voters who want to cast their ballot in person—have a
positive experience at the polls. Sign up today!

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CALIFORNIA





UPCOMING ELECTION DATES & REGISTRATION DEADLINES

Some elections in this list are local and do not apply for all California
voters. Please click the “View all” button below to view all election dates in
your state.

Next Election: Special
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
City of Millbrae Special Recall
View details


REGISTRATION DEADLINES

Online Get Registered!
Monday, July 8, 2024
By Mail
Monday, July 8, 2024
In Person
Tuesday, July 23, 2024


05

Nov
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
General

View details
View all election dates
Close ×


CALIFORNIA


ELECTION INFORMATION


23

Jul
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Election Type:
Special
Election Location(s):
 * City of Millbrae Special Recall



Registration Deadlines:

By Mail: Monday, July 8, 2024

In Person: Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Online: Monday, July 8, 2024 Get Registered!

Close ×


CALIFORNIA


ELECTION INFORMATION


05

Nov
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Election Type:
General
Election Location(s):
 * 



Registration Deadlines:

By Mail: Monday, October 21, 2024

In Person: Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Online: Monday, October 21, 2024 Get Registered!


MORE RESOURCES

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Learn more
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Register to vote in California
Learn more

CALIFORNIA VOTING INFORMATION

 * Absentee Ballot Process
 * Campaign Finance Information
 * Candidate and Ballot Measure Information
 * Drop Boxes
 * Early Voting
 * Election Dates
 * Eligibility Requirements
 * ID Needed for Voter Registration
 * ID Needed for Voting
 * Official Results
 * Overseas and Military Voters
 * Poll Worker Information
 * Polling Place Hours
 * Polling Place Locator
 * Primary Election Process
 * Provisional Voting
 * Provisions for Voters with Disabilities
 * Registration Deadline
 * Time Off To Vote
 * Verify Voter Registration
 * Vote by Mail
 * Voting Machines

Select an option: Absentee Ballot Process Campaign Finance Information Candidate
and Ballot Measure Information Drop Boxes Early Voting Election Dates
Eligibility Requirements ID Needed for Voter Registration ID Needed for Voting
Official Results Overseas and Military Voters Poll Worker Information Polling
Place Hours Polling Place Locator Primary Election Process Provisional Voting
Provisions for Voters with Disabilities Registration Deadline Time Off To Vote
Verify Voter Registration Vote by Mail Voting Machines

ABSENTEE BALLOT PROCESS

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California no longer uses the term "absentee ballots." County elections
officials mail ballots to all active registered voters about a month before the
election. You choose whether to vote in person at your voting location or return
the ballot you received either by mail or by dropping it off.

 * By Mail: If you wish to use the mailed ballot instead of voting in person,
   fill it out and mail it back early so that it is postmarked no later than
   Election Day. You do not need a stamp to mail back your ballot in the return
   envelope provided.
 * Dropoff: You may drop off your ballot at any voting location in your county.
   Your county will also open secure ballot drop-off locations starting about a
   month before Election Day.
 * In Person: For voting in person on Election Day, the polls are open from 7 am
   to 8 pm.

Early Voting. You may also be able to vote in person before Election Day. Check
caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov.

Watch How to Return Your Completed Vote-by-Mail Ballot.

If you failed to receive your ballot in the mail, you have lost or destroyed
your original ballot, and you are unable to vote in person at the polls, you may
apply for a replacement ballot with this form or by contacting your County
Elections Office.

Same-Day Registration and Voting

Missed the voter registration deadline? No problem. You can still register and
vote in the election at any voting location up to and through Election Day. If
you look up and go to your assigned voting location, then your ballot will be
sure to include all the contests on which you’re allowed to vote.

If you need to register after the deadline and want to vote from home, contact
your County Elections Office to find out how to register and get a vote-by-mail
ballot through Election Day. Learn more from the Secretary of State.

Elections officials process applications 29 days to 7 days before an election.
You may request a Vote-By-Mail ballot more than 29 days before an election but
not fewer than 7 days in advance. But if it’s 6 or fewer days before the
election, you may qualify for an emergency ballot. 

If you are voting by mail for the first time and did not provide your driver's
license number, CA ID number, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security
number on your registration application, you must provide a photocopy of the
above ID with your vote-by-mail application. Other forms of ID include a recent
utility bill, the county Voter Information Guide you received from your county
elections office, or any other governmental agency document (like your passport,
driver's license, student ID, etc.). If your ID cannot be verified, your
vote-by-mail ballot will not be opened.

You can find a complete list of acceptable IDs here.

Track your Vote-By-Mail Ballot

You can track the status of your vote-by-mail ballot by visiting the "My Voter
Status" website and the Where's My Ballot website.

Late Vote-By-Mail Ballot Requests 

If you would like to request a Vote-By-Mail ballot after 7 days before the
election, you will need to apply in person at your county elections office. Your
county elections office may allow you to apply over the phone; just call to see
if your office allows telephone applications.

Even if you receive your vote-by-mail ballot, you can still vote at a polling
place on Election Day. Bring your unused vote-by-mail ballot to your local
polling place anytime between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm. on Election Day and give it
to a poll worker, who will exchange it for a polling place ballot you can use
instead. If you do not bring your vote-by-mail ballot with you, you will not
lose your opportunity to vote at a polling place on Election Day. If the poll
worker is able to verify that you have not returned your voted ballot, then you
will be given a regular ballot. If not, a poll worker will provide you with a
provisional ballot, which will be counted after your county elections official
has confirmed you are registered to vote in that county and did not vote more
than once in that election.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to
register to vote and request a Vote-By-Mail ballot at the Overseas Vote
Foundation.

Request your Ballot

CAMPAIGN FINANCE INFORMATION

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For information on federal campaign contributions, please visit Open Secrets.

For information on state campaign contributions, please visit Cal-Access.

CANDIDATE AND BALLOT MEASURE INFORMATION

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When an election is coming up in your state, the League of Women Voters will
publish a voter guide on VOTE411.org. If you enter your address and don't see
your candidates yet, please check back closer to Election Day to see them
published online.  

If you see a candidate listed on VOTE411 who has not yet filled out the
candidate questions, please reach out to them, and ask them to fill out the
VOTE411 voter guide! The more candidates who fill it out the more helpful it is
for voters in your community.  

You can also check out the Easy Voter Guide for clear, simple explanations of
state ballot measures.

 

DROP BOXES

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A drop box is a secure, locked structure operated by election officials where
voters can deliver their absentee ballot any time, day or night.

Find your Vote Center and Dropbox Locations here. 

EARLY VOTING

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Any registered voter may vote early instead of going to the polls on Election
Day.

When does early voting begin?

In-person early voting locations and hours may vary by county. To locate an
early voting location near you, visit CAEarlyVoting.sos.ca.gov or contact your
County Elections Office.

Where can I vote early?

You can cast your ballot before Election Day by visiting your county's election
office, an early voting location offered by your county, or by using the
vote-by-mail system.

Voting early by mail

County elections officials mail ballots to all active registered voters about a
month before the election. For more information regarding vote-by-mail click
here.

All valid vote-by-mail ballots are counted in every election in California,
regardless of the outcome or closeness of any race.

ELECTION DATES

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If there is an upcoming election in your area, it will be listed in the dark
blue box at the top of this page (scroll up) or by clicking
on https://www.vote411.org/california.

You can also contact your local Board of Elections for more information. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

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To be eligible to vote, you must be:

 * A United States citizen
 * A resident of California
 * At least 18 years of age (or will be by the date of the next election)
 * Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for conviction of a
   felony
 * Not have been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent to register and
   vote

You may pre-register to vote if you are at least 16 years old. Your registration
will become active once you turn 18.

You will need to re-register to vote when:

 * You move
 * You change your name
 * You wish to change political parties or to register with no party preference
 * You were removed from the registration rolls while in state or federal prison
   for the conviction of a felony

If you have recently moved:

If you are already registered to vote in California and have moved or changed
your name, you may update your voter registration by:

 * re-registering online or by submitting a paper voter registration
   application.
 * sending a signed letter to your current county elections official, even if it
   is in a different county, informing them of your move and providing them with
   your date of birth and current address.

If you have recently updated your address at the DMV or USPS, your voter
registration will be automatically updated.

If you missed the registration deadline for an upcoming election, don't worry.
In most cases, you can still register to vote and cast a provisional ballot on
Election Day. This process is called Same Day Voter Registration. 

Incarcerated Voters & Returning Citizens: 

In California, those who have been convicted of a felony and were sentenced to a
prison term for that conviction will be eligible to register to vote immediately
after their release, even if they are on probation or parole. Learn more.

Voters without traditional residence: 

In California, every eligible voter, including individuals experiencing
homelessness, has the right to vote. They are able to register to vote as long
as they have a location where they can receive mail and be assigned to a
specific voting area. They have the option to register using an address where
they spend most of their time, such as a shelter. In case they don't have a
fixed address, they must provide a clear description of their living location
when registering so that the county elections official can determine their
voting precinct. This description can include nearby cross streets or a park.
This process ensures they receive the appropriate election materials based on
their living situation. 

ID NEEDED FOR VOTER REGISTRATION

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To register to vote you will have to provide your states drivers' license number
or identification card number or the last four digits of your Social Security
Number (SSN). If you do not include this information you will be required to
provide identification when you vote.

If you register to vote by mail and submit a driver's license number that the
state or local elections official can match with an existing state
identification record, then you will not be required to provide identification
when you vote.

ID NEEDED FOR VOTING

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A first-time voter who registers and did not provide identification with their
application, may need to show identification at the polls. To be safe, bring
your driver's license or another photo ID.

Voters can call or text 844-338-8743 at any time to reach VoteRiders Voter ID
Helpline

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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Official results are never available on Election Day. Election officials are
working around the clock to count an unprecedented number of ballots, and it’s
essential that they take the time to make sure every vote is counted.

Mailed ballots begin being counted on Election Day. 

Late-arriving mail ballots and provisional ballots will be counted over the
following days and weeks. Official election results will be uploaded on
California’s Secretary of State website as they become available. The complete
tally of votes is never finished on Election Night as vote-by-mail ballots
postmarked on or before Election Day and received within seven days after the
election, as well as any provisional ballots cast must still be counted. These
ballots are counted during the official canvass period 30 days after Election
Day. Learn more.

Official election results will be uploaded on California’s Secretary of State
website as they become available.

Official Results

OVERSEAS AND MILITARY VOTERS

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You are a Military or Overseas voter if you are in uniformed services, living
overseas OR a spouse or dependent of a uniformed services voter. To get
registered and vote, you can utilize Overseas Vote Foundation.

If you have additional questions about elections and voting overseas you can use
our state specific elections official directory or contact the Overseas Vote
Foundation.

POLL WORKER INFORMATION

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You can make sure we have safe, fair, and efficient elections for all. Become a
poll worker today!

In order to be a poll worker in California, you must:

 * Be a US citizen or legal permanent resident
 * Be at least 18 years of age
 * Be a resident of the precinct
 * Complete required training
 * Students who are 16 years or older may work if they are in good standing with
   a GPA of 2.5 and above

You will be entitled to compensation. To sign up, fill out this online form.

 

POLLING PLACE HOURS

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The polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

POLLING PLACE LOCATOR

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You can find your polling place by utilizing your state's resource.

If you have further questions on your polling place location, please contact
your local elections official.

PRIMARY ELECTION PROCESS

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California is a “top two” primary state. In these primary elections, all
candidates for state offices are listed on the same ballot and all candidates
are listed with their party affiliation. The top two candidates who get the most
votes in each race move on to the General Election regardless of their party.
The top two primaries are used for the following offices: United States
Senators, congressional Representatives, State Senators, Assemblymembers,
Governor,  Lt. Governor,  State Treasurer, Secretary of State, and State
Attorney General. They are not used for President, Vice President, or  Political
Party County Central Committees or County Councils.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact
your local election officials.

PROVISIONAL VOTING

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You may be asked to vote a provisional ballot if you meet specific criteria,
including:

 * You believe you are registered to vote even though your name is not on the
   official voter registration list at the polling place
 * You signed up to vote by mail but want to vote at your polling place or vote
   center and you didn't receive or you didn't bring your vote by mail ballot
   with you and the election official is unable to verify that you have not
   returned your vote-by-mail ballot.

If you are asked to vote a provisional ballot it will be counted after elections
officials confirm you are registered to vote and haven't already voted in that
election.

For more information around provisional voting, and information on how to track
your provisional ballot, please visit your Secretary of State's website.

 

PROVISIONS FOR VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES

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There are many ways voters with disabilities can cast their ballot.

Vote-by-mail

All voters can cast their ballot from home. For more information on voting by
mail, click here.

Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail

This allows voters to mark their selections on their ballot by using their own
compatible technology to vote independently from their own home. For more
information on how to use this option, click here.

Curbside Voting

This allows you to park as close as possible to the voting area. Election
officials will bring you any voting materials you need to cast your ballot,
either on the curb or in your car. Be sure to check if curbside voting is
available at your polling or vote center by contacting you county elections
office.

Accessible Voting Machines

Contact your county elections office for details around accessible voting
machines in your area.

For more information, you can utilize the American Association of People With
Disabilities (AAPD) resource.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

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You can register to vote online! The deadline to register is no later than 15
days before the election. People who sign up on time will be placed on the voter
list before the election, receive a ballot in the mail, and get voter guides
from the state and county.

Missed the deadline? You can still register and vote in the election at any
voting location up to and through Election Day. If you look up and go to your
assigned voting location, then your ballot will be sure to include all the
contests on which you’re allowed to vote.

If you need to register after the deadline and want to vote from home, contact
your County Elections Office to find out how to register and get a vote-by-mail
ballot through Election Day. Learn more from the Secretary of State.

Not registered? Use our registration tool to fill out your application!

 

 

 

 

TIME OFF TO VOTE

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Private and public employers must give employees time off to vote unless the
employee has two hours of nonworking time available to vote or fails to vote.
Employers may require employees to give advance notice that they will need
additional time off for voting. Employers may require the time off to be taken
at the beginning or the end of the employee's shift.

VERIFY VOTER REGISTRATION

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To verify your voter registration status

click here!

VOTE BY MAIL

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County elections officials mail ballots to all active registered voters about a
month before the election. You choose whether to vote in person at your voting
location or return the ballot you received either by mail or by dropping it off.

 * By Mail: If you wish to use the mailed ballot instead of voting in person,
   fill it out and mail it back early so that it is postmarked no later than
   Election Day. You do not need a stamp to mail back your ballot in the return
   envelope provided.
 * Dropoff: You may drop off your ballot at any voting location in your county.
   Your county will also open secure ballot drop-off locations starting about a
   month before Election Day.
 * In Person: For voting in person on Election Day, the polls are open from 7 am
   to 8 pm.

Early Voting

You may also be able to vote in person before Election Day. Check
caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov.

Watch How to Return Your Completed Vote-by-Mail Ballot.

If you failed to receive your ballot in the mail, you have lost or destroyed
your original ballot, and you are unable to vote in person at the polls, you may
apply for a replacement ballot with this form or by contacting your County
Elections Office.

Same-Day Registration and Voting

Missed the voter registration deadline? No problem. You can still register and
vote in the election at any voting location up to and through Election Day. If
you look up and go to your assigned voting location, then your ballot will be
sure to include all the contests on which you’re allowed to vote.

If you need to register after the deadline and want to vote from home, contact
your County Elections Office to find out how to register and get a vote-by-mail
ballot through Election Day. Learn more from the Secretary of State.

Elections officials process applications 29 days to 7 days before an election.
You may request a Vote-By-Mail ballot more than 29 days before an election but
not fewer than 7 days in advance. But if it’s 6 or fewer days before the
election, you may qualify for an emergency ballot. 

If you are voting by mail for the first time and did not provide your driver's
license number, CA ID number, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security
number on your registration application, you must provide a photocopy of the
above ID with your vote-by-mail application. Other forms of ID include a recent
utility bill, the county Voter Information Guide you received from your county
elections office, or any other governmental agency document (like your passport,
driver's license, student ID, etc.). If your ID cannot be verified, your
vote-by-mail ballot will not be opened.

You can find a complete list of acceptable IDs here.

Track your Vote-By-Mail Ballot

You can track the status of your vote-by-mail ballot by visiting the "My Voter
Status" website and the Where's My Ballot website.

Late Vote-By-Mail Ballot Requests 

If you would like to request a Vote-By-Mail ballot after 7 days before the
election, you will need to apply in person at your county elections office. Your
county elections office may allow you to apply over the phone; just call to see
if your office allows telephone applications.

Even if you receive your vote-by-mail ballot, you can still vote at a polling
place on Election Day. Bring your unused vote-by-mail ballot to your local
polling place anytime between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm. on Election Day and give it
to a poll worker, who will exchange it for a polling place ballot you can use
instead. If you do not bring your vote-by-mail ballot with you, you will not
lose your opportunity to vote at a polling place on Election Day. If the poll
worker is able to verify that you have not returned your voted ballot, then you
will be given a regular ballot. If not, a poll worker will provide you with a
provisional ballot, which will be counted after your county elections official
has confirmed you are registered to vote in that county and did not vote more
than once in that election.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to
register to vote and request a Vote-By-Mail ballot at the Overseas Vote
Foundation.

VOTING MACHINES

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The types of voting equipment used in California are optical scans and ballot
marking devices (BMDs). Learn more.

Optical Scan: With these systems, you will receive a card or sheet of paper,
which you take over to a private table or booth. The card has the names of the
various candidates and ballot measures printed on it. With a pen or pencil you
fill in a little box or circle or the space between two arrows. When you are
finished filling out all the cards, you may bring the cards over to a ballot
box, where poll workers will show you how to put the cards in the box. Or in
some places, you may feed the completed cards or papers into a computer device
that checks your card or paper right there at the polling place to make sure you
have voted the way you want to and counts the votes.

Ballot Marking Devices: With these systems, the voter is presented with an
electronic ballot and the voter makes their choices electronically. This
produces a human-readable paper ballot. Some BMDs mark pre-printed ballots,
while others print summaries of voter selections, often with those selections
encoded in barcodes or QR codes. Then, voters either cast their ballots on a
separate hand-fed optical scanner or place them in a ballot box to be counted
centrally.

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CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Secretary of State

1500 11th Street, 5th floor

Sacramento 95814


916-657-2166
916-653-3214
elections@sos.ca.gov
http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections
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debates, and provide voters with election information they need.

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ELECTION DAY PROBLEMS?

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1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
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