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If you are registering for the first time, registered by mail, and didn’t include your driver’s license or California ID number or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number on your registration, you you may be asked to provide ID when you vote.  See the section on Voter ID Requirements for a complete list of acceptable forms of ID to bring to the polls.

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COVID-19 info

California voter registration deadlines

  • In Person: 15 days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Postmarked 15 days before Election Day.
  • Online: 15 days before Election Day.
Election Day Registration:

If the voter registration deadline has passed, you can still conditionally register to vote and cast a provisional ballot in person at your County Elections Office at any time up to and including Election Day. You can also conditionally register at your polling place on Election Day. Your provisional ballot will be counted when your County Elections Official verifies your voter registration.

Conditional registration may also be available in County Elections satellite offices and vote centers.

California voter registration rules

To register in California you must:

  • Be a citizen of the United States;
  • Be a resident of California;
  • Be at least 18 years of age at the time of the next election;
  • Not currently be serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony; and
  • Not currently be judged mentally incompetent by a court of law.

California voter registration directions

  1. Use our Register to Vote Tool to fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
  2. Sign and date your form. This is very important!
  3. Mail or hand-deliver your completed form to the address we provide.
  4. Make sure you register before the voter registration deadline.

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