To register to vote in California, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen and a resident of California.older

• At least 18 years old or  on Election Day.

• Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony.

• Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.

California youth who are 16 or 17 and meet all other criteria aside from age can pre-register to vote! Youth who pre-register to vote will have their registration become active once they turn 18 years old.

The deadline to register for the November 2026 General Election is Monday, October 19, 2026.

Register online at: www.RegisterToVote.CA.gov

• The application is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese.

Register Using a Paper Voter Registration Application:

• Forms are available at BSP’s offices, public libraries, Department of Motor Vehicles offices, or the U.S. post office. 

• To request a paper voter registration application be mailed to you, please call (800) 345-VOTE(8683).

• Need help understanding how to fill out your application? Visit a BSP office near you!

You can still go to your county elections office or polling place on or before Election Day to complete Same Day Voter Registration. If you visit a polling place, you will be allowed to cast your ballot that same day. Your vote will be counted once your voter eligibility is verified.

Find early voting sites here: caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov

Don't remember if you're registered to vote? Need to check what name you're registered under or need to update what political party you're registered with? Check your registration status 

here: voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.

All registered voters in California will receive their ballots in the mail sometime during the week of October 5, 2026.

In California, all active registered voters will be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot and have the option to submit their completed ballot by mail.

Complete it. Seal it. Sign it. Return it.

Complete your ballot and mail it back early, postmarked no later than Election Day. 

• Remember to sign the ballot envelope before mailing

• You do not need a stamp to mail back your ballot in the return envelope provided.

You can drop off your ballot starting Tuesday, October 6 at an Official Ballot Drop Box.

If you prefer to drop off your ballot at a vote center, vote centers open beginning Saturday, October 21.

Find an official ballot drop box and/or local polling place at: caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov

On election day, polling places are open from 7AM to 8PM.

Did you know you can track exactly where your individual ballot is, from the moment it is mailed to you, to the moment your vote is counted? Sign up for text message alerts to track the progress of your ballot in this and all future elections!

California Ballot Tracker:

california.ballottrax.net/voter

Call the BSP Hotline below to learn about BSP’s upcoming nonpartisan voter education workshops in English and Spanish, online and in-person!

Yes! Under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, in certain situations—specifically, in counties where more than 10,000 or 5% of all voting-age citizens belong to a single language minority group, have low literacy rates, and do not speak English well—election materials that are provided in English must also be made available in the language of that minority group. 

If you need assistance in marking your ballot, you may choose one or two people to help you as long as neither are your employer, your employer’s agent, your labor union leader, or your labor union’s agent.

Voters with Disabilities: 

State and federal laws require polling places and vote centers to be physically accessible to voters with disabilities. County elections officials inspect each site and often make temporary modifications to the sites for Election Day. Every person who works in a polling place or vote center is trained on election laws and the rights of voters with disabilities.

In addition, state and federal laws also require that all voters be able to cast their ballots privately and independently. Each polling place or vote center must have one voting machine that allows voters, including those who are blind or visually impaired, to cast a ballot without assistance.

In most cases, a California voter is not required to show identification to a polling place worker before casting a ballot.

However, if you are voting for the first time after registering to vote by mail and did not provide your driver license number, California identification number or the last four digits of your social security number on your registration form, you may be asked to show a form of identification when you go to the polls. In this case, be sure to bring identification with you to your polling place or include a copy of it with your vote-by-mail ballot. A copy of a recent utility bill, the sample ballot booklet you received from your county elections office or another document sent to you by a government agency are examples of acceptable forms of identification. Other acceptable forms of identification include your passport, driver license, official state identification card, or student identification card showing your name and photograph.

Call the Secretary of State's toll-free Voter Hotline at (800) 345- VOTE (8683) for more information.

While it is best to check with your state or local election office for any questions about who can and cannot vote, the following individuals are generally not eligible to vote: non-citizens, including permanent legal residents; in California, individuals currently incarcerated in a prison for a felony conviction; and some individuals with mental disabilities, depending on state laws. Additionally, U.S. citizens residing in U.S. territories cannot vote for president in the general election. 

Non-voters are just as essential to our democratic process as voters, and there are still many ways they can contribute to our democracy. From encouraging friends and family to vote to helping others register to vote, here are some ways you can get involved even if you are unable to vote:

1. Raise awareness by taking action. Even if you can’t cast a ballot, you can still be an active participant in civic engagement by sharing petitions, joining campaigns, and organizing events for the causes you care about the most. If you feel strongly about a specific issue ahead of an election, help spread the word by sharing content on social media or by creating a call to action for your elected officials. Be it healthcare or education, if it’s something you care about, raise your voice.

2. Help other people get registered to vote. Encourage the people you know who are eligible to vote to check their status by visiting vote.org or help people register online if they’re not as internet-savvy as you might be. Even if you are not registered, talk to other people about the importance of voting and make sure they have a plan to cast their ballot.

3. Get involved with organizations that are making a difference. Whether you’re underage, formerly incarcerated and unable to vote, or a non-citizen looking for a way to meaningfully participate in democracy, there are so many organizations you can get involved with to have an impact in an upcoming election. Identify an issue you care about and find an organization that addresses these issues. Volunteer your time, and encourage others within your community to do the same.

4. Drive your family members to the polls. If you have a driver’s license and access to a vehicle, you can help make democracy happen. Senior citizens, people with reduced mobility, or those who live far away from their voting place can all benefit from a ride to the polls on or before Election Day. Talk to your loved ones and make a plan.