Resources

Get Ready To Vote

Check your registration before the next General Election November 5th, 2024

Voting 101

  • A young, smiling Black woman inserts a ballot envelope into an apartment complex's mailbox.

    Vote By Mail

    All registered voters in California receive their ballots in the mail and can vote as soon as it arrives. Once the ballot is completed, voters must sign, date, and write their address on the back of the envelope before mailing it back. Postage is free.

    Check Your Registration Status
  • Two hands insert a ballot envelope into a yellow drop box that says "OFFICIAL BALLOT DROP BOX."

    Vote by Drop Box

    Once you have received your ballot in the mail, you also have the option to drop it off early at your nearest drop box or early vote center in your county. Ballot drop boxes are a safe, convenient option to drop off your ballot any time of the day up to a month before the election deadline.

    Find Nearest Drop Box or Early Vote Center
  • Young, smiling Latina voter with glasses stands in front of an outdoor voting booth with an American flag and "VOTE" written on the side.

    Vote in Person

    More options to vote in person become available closer to the election deadline. Polling places and vote centers are a one-stop shop for in-language services, replacing a missing ballot, and same-day registration for eligible voters.

    Find Your Nearest Polling Place

ELECTIONS ARE NOT OVER UNTIL ALL THE VOTES ARE COUNTED. Every county has up to 28 days to tally all the votes and certify the results of an election. As long as a ballot is submitted and/or postmarked by the election deadline, it must be counted. Ballots that were mailed or dropped off early are usually the first results shared out by election officials, but it takes some time to receive and verify the ballots that are mailed in later. Election results are not final until election officials certify the results. 

Government 101

  • Graphic with headline: “What does your vote affect?” and the following text: “In our country: president and congress. Foreign Policy. Homeland Security. Social Security. Immigration. Veterans Affairs.”

    Federal

    Senators and House Representatives make up the U.S. Congress, which is responsible for the laws that impact the whole country. This includes everything from foreign policy, homeland security, and social security to immigration policy, federal financial aid for college, and a woman’s right to choose.

  • Graphic with headline: “What does your vote affect?” and the following text: “In our country: governor and legislators. Universities. DMV. Disability Services. Health. Water Conservation.”

    State

    These candidates and propositions establish laws in Sacramento that impact California ONLY and can add additional protections and funding beyond Federal law. Some examples include Tenant Protections, Health Care Access, Environmental Justice, and Education Funding (K-12, Community Colleges and UC & CSU universities).

  • Graphic with headline: “What does your vote affect?” and the following text: “In our country: mayor and city council. Taxes. Parks & Rec. Streets. Police & Fire. Utilities.”

    Municipal: County and City

    These candidates and measures impact our city services like parks, street repairs, police departments, school districts (K-12 and community college). The County is one level above the city and governs things like the Sheriff, District Attorney, County Health System, and unincorporated areas of our neighborhood.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

  • To register to vote in California, you must be:

    • U.S. Born or Naturalized Citizen
    • Resident of California
    • At least 18 years of age (pre-registration)
    • Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony (Voting Rights for the formerly incarcerated)
    • Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote for a court

    If all conditions apply to you, then you are eligible to register as a California voter.

    Note: You can pre-register as a 16 and 17-year-old, which means on your 18th birthday, the Registrar will automatically register you to vote and send you a notification in the mail. You don’t need to take time filling out another form unless you change your name, address, and/or want to change your political party.

  • You can register to vote online at the California Secretary of State’s website. If you’re unsure if you’re already registered to vote or registered under the correct home address, you can also check your registration status.

    • Prefer snail mail? Requesting a paper registration form is fast and easy. To request a paper voter registration application, call (800) 345-VOTE (8683).
    • Plan early! To vote in an upcoming election you need to be registered to vote at least 15 days before the election deadline.
    • Missed the deadline? Registering to vote early will help ensure you don’t miss any key election information. However, if you need to register or make changes last minute you can still do the Same-Day Voter Registration process and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location. For more information on voter registration and voting locations, contact your local county elections official.

  • VOTE BY MAIL

    If you’ve already registered to vote, you can submit your ballot by mail. That’s right. You can vote without leaving your home. California has made Vote By Mail permanent throughout the state; all active voters will receive a ballot in the mail a month before the election deadline.

    • Fill it out completely
    • Try to send it back ASAP. It’s free too — no postage is required!
    • You can drop it in your mailbox, in a designated ballot drop off box, or at your polling location or vote center.
    • Ballots must be postmarked by the election deadline! As long as it’s postmarked by the election deadline, ballots can still be counted up to 17 days after election day.

    EARLY VOTING

    In California, registered voters in select counties can vote early in person 10 days before the election. Due to COVID-19, some counties are allowing up to four days of early voting. Visit the Secretary of State’s website to find out if your county has early voting or call the Secretary of State’s toll-free voter hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683).

  • If you lost or soiled your ballot you can contact your county elections by phone or email to request a replacement ballot.

    If you did not receive your vote-by-mail ballot, check your voter registration status to be sure your mailing address is correct before requesting a replacement ballot.

  • MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE

    Research shows people who make a plan to vote are way more likely to actually vote. Do these things to help you flex your voting muscle this election season:

    • Check Your Status: Make sure you’re registered to vote. You can check your voting status at the Secretary of State’s website.
    • Choose A Time: Polls in California open at 7 AM and close at 8 PM. Pick a specific time to vote. After school at 4:30? Before work at 5:30? Companies are legally obligated to give you time to vote if you give prior notice. Calendar it to give yourself a reminder.
    • Know Where You’re Going: Locate your polling place ahead of time! If you’re unsure about your polling location, check the Secretary of State’s website to learn where to go on Election Day. Make sure to check for any public health guidelines that may be in place.
    • Show Up: Show up to your polling place, give your first and last name, and prepare to cast your ballot.

  • Visit the Secretary of State website to find your State Senate, State Assembly, or United States Congressional Representatives.

    For your county representatives visit your local county elections website to find your County Supervisor, City Mayor, and City Council.

  • Do your research and reach out to local organizations you trust and support to see where they might stand on certain issues and candidates. You can find links to each of our coalition partners on our About MVP page.

    Our rule of thumb is to always take into consideration the endorsements and funding that ballot initiatives and candidates receive to make sure that they align with your values.

    If you are not able to find information for something specific on your local ballot, you can always find a free nonpartisan voter guide at Vote 411.

More questions? Check out the Secretary of State’s Voter Registration FAQs.

More Resources

  • Tracking your ballot — when it is mailed, received, and counted — has never been easier.

    Track your ballot on the California BallotTrax website.

  • Know your rights as a registered voter!

    View the Voter Bill of Rights in multiple languages and watch videos in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language.

  • The California Secretary of State website includes key election dates and polling locations, general voting information, translated election materials, and more.

  • If voters experience any issues at their voting location, they can call the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline, run by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683).