California

22% of 18-29 year olds voted in California in 2022*

*Source CIRCLE - Youth Voting and Civic Engagement in America

The California voter registration deadline is October 21, 2024. However, California does offer a form of same-day registration for those who miss this deadline which may be completed in-person at a county elections office, polling place, or vote center on Election Day, November 5, 2024.

Check Registration Status

Check Registration Status

Check your California voter registration status here.

 

Eligibility

In order to register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of California, not currently be in state or federal prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony, and not currently be found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.

  • If you are 16 or 17 and meet all the eligibility requirements to vote, you may pre-register, and you will be automatically registered on your 18th birthday.
  • College students have a choice of whether they want to vote in California or vote in their home state. You may only be registered and vote at one location.

Deadline

The deadline to register to vote in California for the General Election is October 21, 2024.

 

Voter Registration Process

There are three methods of voter registration in California: online, mail in or drop off in person either paper registration forms which are at various locations, or your requested application from your County Elections Office.

  • California automatically registers eligible individuals to vote when they complete a driver’s license, identification (ID) card, or change of address transaction through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
  • Further voter registration information for California can be found here.

This page was last updated on July 17, 2023.

Questions? Contact us here.

California offers in-person, by-mail, and early voting in the 2024 General Election.

Poll Finder

Vote-By-Mail Practices

All voters are eligible to vote by mail without having to provide a reason. Click here to access California’s by-mail voting application.

  • Your application for a by-mail ballot must be received 7 days before Election Day (October 29, 2024).
  • Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than 7 days after the election (November 12, 2022).
  • Further absentee/by-mail voting information for California is listed here.

Early Voting

California offers early voting.

  • Some counties offer early voting at a few locations before Election Day. Contact your county elections office about early voting information here.

Poll Finder

Locate your polling place here.

 

Election Day Practices

On Election Day, the polls are open 7am-8pm

  • California does not require identification unless it is your first time voting. If it is your first time voting, a list can be found of acceptable forms of ID is listed here.
  • Further California voting information is listed here.

This page was last updated on July 17, 2023.

Questions? Contact us here.

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