Some of California’s 22 million registered voters have already completed and returned their ballots for the Nov. 5 election.
But what if you are one of the almost four million Californians who have not yet registered? Don’t worry, registration will remain open this weekend before the deadline, which is this Monday.
Here’s how to sign up.
Requirements to register to vote in California
- Be a citizen of the United States and a resident of California.
- Be 18 years old or older on election day.
- Not be serving a sentence in a state or federal prison for a serious crime.
- Not have been declared mentally incompetent to vote by a court.
Requirements to pre-register to vote
To pre-register To vote in California, voters must:
- Be 16 or 17 years old.
- Meet all of the above requirements.
Applicants will automatically be registered to vote when they turn 18 years old.
Where to register to vote in California
Voters can register here via online application. The app is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese.
Voters can also register with pencil and paper by visiting an elections office, library, Department of Motor Vehicles offices or the United States Post Office. Paper applications must be delivered to an election office by October 21.
People studying abroad can register to vote using the Federal Postal Card Application or the system California Online Voter Registration.
Same-day voter registration
People can register to vote the same day with conditional registration, which is for Californians who miss the deadline to register to vote or update their voter registration information for an election in order to cast their vote. Eligible citizens may complete this process at a designated county elections office, polling place, or vote centers, that are found here.
Members of the armed forces, overseas voters, and voters with disabilities should contact the your local county elections office for information about conditional voter registration and available voting options.
Safe voting at home
Voters who fear for their safety and are eligible can register for California’s Safe at Home voter program. Applicants are eligible to participate if they have experienced the following:
- They are victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abduction, and elder or dependent adult abuse.
- They are reproductive health care providers, employees, patients, or volunteers who have experienced threats of violence, violence, or harassment due to their affiliation with a reproductive health care service facility.
- They are employees or contractors of a public entity who have experienced threats of violence, violence, or harassment due to their work for a public entity.
- They are household members of a category mentioned above.
- They fear for their safety or the safety of a minor or incapacitated adult.
Interested participants should visit their local enrollment agency after making an appointment. Completed applications are sent to Seguro en Casa for review and approval.
The deadline to register to vote with Safe at Home is October 21. Voters who miss the deadline can register up until Election Day, however, they will not be confidential voters.
Am I already registered?
Voters can consult here if you are unsure of your voting status. Voters can also:
- Check where they are registered to vote.
- Verify your political party preference.
- Verify your language preference for election materials.
- Check the status of your vote by mail or provisional ballot.
- Choose how you want to receive your state and county voter guides before each election.
- Find your polling place.
- Find information for upcoming local and state elections.
- Find contact information for your county elections office.
Cancellation of voter registration
Voters currently registered to vote in California and who wish to cancel their voter registration can complete the California Voter Registration Cancellation Request Form and send it to the county elections office.
Cancellation forms are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese.
