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Voting rules for this state, checked October 12, 2026; your state election office is the final word.

The Way / States / California

Voting in California

General election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

At a glance

Register
Online, by mail or in person

Many people are registered automatically when they deal with the DMV or certain state agencies. You can register and vote on the same day, including Election Day.

ID at the polls
No ID for most voters

No ID is generally required at the polls; voters state their name (and often address) and sign the poll book. First-time voters who registered by mail may need to show ID under federal law.

Mail voting
Every voter gets a ballot by mail

Ballot mailed automatically to every registered voter; no request needed Return deadline: postmarked by Election Day and received by Nov 10 (7 days after).

Early in-person voting
Yes

Ballots/early voting at county offices from Oct 5 (29 days before); vote centers in VCA counties open at least Oct 24 - Nov 3

After a conviction
Voting rights return when you leave prison

Only people currently in prison for a felony cannot vote (Prop 17, 2020 restored rights to people on parole); rights return automatically on release.

Deadlines

StepDateNotes
Register onlineMonday, October 19
Register by mailMonday, October 19
Register in personTuesday, November 3Same-day registration
Election DayTuesday, November 3Polls close times vary; check your state.

Mail ballot request: No request needed. Ballot mailed automatically to every registered voter; no request needed (replacement ballot by mail until Oct 27). Mail ballot return: postmarked by Election Day and received by Nov 10 (7 days after).

Where the road gets harder

Every rule is a cost, and it doesn't fall on everyone the same. A deadline, a document or a trip to an office is easy for some people and a real obstacle for others: people who work hourly jobs, move often, live far from an office, don't drive, or have a disability. Here is what that looks like in California.

News from California

Recent election, voting and policy headlines that mention California, newest first. They are found automatically and not checked: a headline shows what someone published, not that it is true.

    News appears here once the news feed is connected.

    All news, and travel back in time

    California Secretary of State. These go straight to the government, not to us.

    Register to vote Check your registration or polling place State election office Vote.gov

    Sources

    Checked October 12, 2026. Laws and court rulings change, sometimes close to an election. If anything here disagrees with your state or county election office, they are right and we are wrong; please tell us.

    1. https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/voter-registration-deadlines
    2. https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/online-voter-registration
    3. https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/automatic-voter-registration
    4. https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/same-day-voter-registration
    5. https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-11-receipt-and-postmark-deadlines-for-absentee-mail-ballots
    6. https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/early-in-person-voting
    7. https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-18-states-with-all-mail-elections
    8. https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-3-states-with-permanent-absentee-voting-lists
    9. https://content.lavote.gov/docs/rrcc/documents/20260629_scotus-upholds-mail-ballot-receipt-deadlines_vf.pdf
    10. https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id
    11. https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/felon-voting-rights