California Voter Info

The general election is Nov 5, 2024.
California, here’s all the info you need to know!

Important Dates to know, California!

New Voter Registration Deadline

Received by Mon Oct 21, 2024

Absentee Ballot Request Deadline

Automatic for Registered Voters

Early Voting

We’re having trouble getting this information. Please check https://www.vote.org/early-voting-calendar/ for more information.

Am I registered?

Can I Vote by Mail? (Absentee)

Absentee Ballot Deadlines

Domestic Registration Deadline: Received by Mon Oct 21, 2024

Domestic Ballot Request Deadline: Automatic for Registered Voters

Domestic Ballot Return Deadline: Received by Tue Nov 5, 2024

Absentee Ballot Rules

Any registered California voter may apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail.

Request Your Absentee Ballot Here

Click here to get your absentee ballot now.

Am I eligible to register to vote?

General Requirements

You are eligible to vote in California if you:

Are a U.S. citizen
Are a resident of California
Are at least 18 years old by Election Day

You are NOT eligible to vote in California if:

You are in prison for a felony conviction.
A judge has specifically ruled that you are not able to vote.

Restorative Requirements

If you have completed a felony prison sentence, even if you are still on parole or probation, then you are immediately eligible to register to vote.

You may preregister to vote in California

At the age 16

For Military Service Members

Service members and their dependents may register and request a ballot using the federal voter registration/ballot request form ("FPCA"). You will have the following identification options when completing the form:

Last 4 Digits of your Social Security Number
U.S. State or Territory or District Issued ID
Option to Indicate that you do not have the Requested ID

Voting Overseas

U.S. citizens living abroad have the right to vote as absentee voters, provided they are eligible to vote in their state. If you are living outside of the U.S. permanently, indefinitely, or temporarily, your voting rights stay with you, even if you never voted when you lived in the U.S. To vote from overseas:

Complete and send an overseas voter registration/ballot request form to your election office in the U.S. This is one specific form that will register you as an overseas voter and request your absentee ballot – simultaneously.

Can I vote if I have a record?

You probably can. Find out!

Please use our eligibility tool to find out if you can vote.

I am a college student. Where do I register to vote?

My school's address or my parent's address?

California defines voting residency as “domicile.” Domicile includes the place where your habitation is fixed and you have “the intention of remaining.” Your choice to make a place your domicile or residence is key in determining your residency for voting. The Secretary of State has made clear that students can choose between their school addresses and their parents’ homes when deciding where to register to vote. California courts and the Attorney General have also made clear that if you move residences each school year and you cannot establish a new residence in time to register to vote (you do not have housing yet, for instance), you can vote at your previous school-year address.

Will I need ID?

Do I need ID to register to vote?

To register to vote in California you should provide:

Your California Driver's License or State non-driver ID Number
Last Four Digits of your Social Security Number

If you are registering to vote for the first time by mail, you will need to provide a copy of a valid ID. Acceptable forms of ID include:

Valid Photo ID
Utility Bill, Bank Statement, Government Check, or Paycheck that Shows your current name and address
Government Issued Document that shows your current name and address

Do I need ID if I am voting in person?

If you registered to vote in California, you may be required to present valid photo ID if you are voting for the first time or your registration is incomplete. You can use any ID from this list:

Valid US Passport
Insurance Plan ID Card
Public Housing ID Card
Health Club ID Card
Valid Employee ID
Valid California Driver's License
Valid Student ID
Out of State Driver's License or Non-driver ID
Valid Military ID
Debit or Credit Card
Valid California Issued ID
Valid Commercial ID

If you do not have an ID from the above list, in California additional, acceptable forms of ID include:

Public Transportation Authority Senior Discounted Fare ID Card
Certificate of Vehicle Ownership
Discharge Certificates, Pardons or other Similar Documents Issued to you by a Government Agency
Lease or rental statement or agreement Issued by a Government Agency
Government Check
Sample Ballot mailed to you
Voter notification or confirmation card
Current Utility Bill
ID Issued by a Government Disability Agency
Insurance Plan or Discount Drug Plan Card Issued by a Government Agency
Property Tax Statement
A Government Issued Document that shows your Current Name and Address
Bank Statement
Other Official Elections Document
Valid California Vehicle Registration
University Tuition Bill Issued by a Government Agency
Identification Documents Issued by Government Homeless Shelters or Other Facilities
Government Paycheck
Drug prescription Issued by a Government Doctor or Health Care Provider