If you’ve never voted before, or if you’ve relocated and are voting in a new state, you can register here. We’re working with Vote.org to make this as easy as possible for you, so don’t fuck it up.

Registered before? Double-check your registration to make sure your registration is still valid.

California does offer same-day, in-person voter registration but you can do it now from the safety of your own home!

California will be mailing a ballot to every registered voter for the November election. However, California is not an exclusively vote-by-mail state--make sure to confirm your registration and address to make sure your ballot goes to the right place. If you need your ballot sent to a different address than the address you are registered at, make sure to update your address by completing a ballot application form here:

Different states have different request rules, so use this tool to get your request form (even if you don’t have a printer!)

You’ve probably heard that USPS will be handling a high volume of mail and will likely be experiencing delays. That’s why we recommend mailing your ballot by October 20th at the latest if you plan on sending your ballot through USPS. When filling out your ballot, make sure to double-check the instructions to make sure you fill out the ballot correctly--check to see if your ballot requires using a pen with black or blue ink, a signature on the envelope, and any other necessary requirements.

Good news, California pays for your return postage!

Learn about alternative return options below.

California allows vote by mail ballots that are postmarked on or before Election Day to be counted.

There are a lot! You can:

1. Return it in-person to a polling place or the office of your county elections official. Vote-by-mail ballots that are personally delivered must be delivered no later than the close of polls at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

2. Drop your ballot into one of your county’s ballot drop boxes.
Vote-by-mail ballots that are personally delivered to a ballot drop-off location must be delivered no later than the close of polls at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

3. Authorize someone to return the ballot on your behalf.
Anyone may return your ballot for you, as long as they do not get paid on a per ballot basis. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must fill out the authorization section found on the outside of your ballot envelope.

Yes, you can track your ballot here:

If you get a vote-by-mail ballot, you can change your mind and vote at a polling place on Election Day. You can mark your ballot and seal it inside the mailing envelope provided by your county elections official. Sign and date the outside of the envelope in the space provided and bring the sealed envelope to any polling place in your county, or to your county elections office between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, or you can bring your unused vote-by-mail ballot to your local polling place anytime between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. 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 don't bring your vote-by-mail ballot, a poll worker will give you with a provisional ballot which will be counted it is confirmed you are registered & did not return your mail ballot.

If you’ve requested your ballot, but you still haven’t received it at least 14 days before the election, use the ballot tracking site to find the status of your ballot. If the ballot arrives before Election Day, you can drop it off at a dropbox, a county elections office, or your local polling place. If you still don’t receive it before Election Day, you can cast a provisional ballot at your polling place. Do not mail a ballot and also vote in person.

The earlier that you request your ballot, the less of a chance you won’t receive it in time. Learn more about provisional ballots here:

If you decide to vote in person, early voting is the safest option--lines will be shorter and allow for easier social distancing. California allows in-person voting. Dates vary by county, so find out where and when you can vote early here.

If you are voting on Election Day, wear a mask and keep an appropriate social distance from fellow voters. If you are in line before polls close, do not leave. You legally must be permitted to vote. If you witness any incidents of voter suppression, contact 1-833-DEM-VOTE (1-833-336-8683). Find your polling place options here:

You do not need to show ID when you vote in person, unless it is your first time voting in a federal election in California. A federal election is when you vote for the President, your Congressional Representative or your Senators.

Learn about acceptable forms of identification, check for updates and learn more about your state's voter ID laws here:

As we get closer to in-person early voting, our Make a Plan tool will have up-to-date information from every state on your voting locations (and ballot drop locations).