Voter Help Hub
Your questions answered: registration, mail ballots, voting in person, and what to do if something goes wrong. Plus — what happens after November 3rd.
What Comes Next
After November
Election Day
Mail ballots postmarked by today count if they arrive by November 10.
Mail Ballot Deadline
Last day for mail ballots postmarked by Nov 3 to arrive. Signature cure window open.
County Certification
Counties certify their results. Expect vote totals to shift — that's the count working.
New Legislators Seated
Newly elected state legislators take their seats in Sacramento.
State Certification
Secretary of State certifies final statewide results.
Governor Sworn In
The next governor is inaugurated. Accountability begins.
Most measures that pass take effect five days after final certification. Numbers that shift after election night show the count working as designed — don’t let a slow count be sold to you as fraud.
We remain committed to the fight after the election. These 14 measures are part of our Long-Term Agenda, a racial equity platform our network crafted to shape California policy over the next decade. We hold decision-makers accountable, regardless of party. Whoever wins in November will inherit our agenda, whether or not they campaigned on it.
Common Questions
FAQs
Registration and Eligibility
Yes. California allows same-day registration, also called conditional voter registration. You can register and vote at your county elections office, vote center, or polling place through Election Day. Your ballot will be counted after your registration is verified.
Most voters do not need to show ID. In limited circumstances, a first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked to provide identification. Your county elections office can tell you if this applies to you.
If you moved within California, you can update your registration online before October 19. If you miss the deadline, you can update your registration and vote through conditional voter registration. Check your registration status before you vote.
Yes. California allows many people with past convictions to vote. People who have completed their sentence and people on probation can register and vote. Voting eligibility can depend on your current sentence or custody status, so check with the Secretary of State if you are unsure.
Voting by Mail
Yes. California verifies vote-by-mail ballots by checking the signature on the return envelope against the voter’s registration record. If there is a problem with your signature, your county must give you a chance to fix it.
The recommendation is about delivery, not whether your ballot is valid. If you use a drop box or return your ballot in person, you won’t have to mail it. If you already mailed your ballot, you can track it through California’s ballot-tracking system.
Not automatically. If your county finds that your signature doesn’t match, you will be notified and given an opportunity to verify it. Follow your county’s instructions to make sure your ballot can be counted.
Yes. You can authorize another person to return your ballot. They cannot be paid based on the number of ballots they return.
Sign up for California’s ballot-tracking service, Where’s My Ballot? You can receive updates when your ballot is mailed, received, and processed.
What's Happening at the Federal Level
An ongoing legal dispute over federal election rules and mail ballots is underway. Because the situation is changing, check the latest guidance from the California Secretary of State or your county elections office before deciding how to return your ballot.
If you want to avoid the mail entirely, you can return your ballot at an official drop box, vote center, polling place, or county elections office. If you mail your ballot, return it as soon as possible and use California’s ballot-tracking service.
Use official election sources. Check your registration through the California Secretary of State or your county elections office. Do not enter personal information into an unfamiliar website claiming to verify your eligibility.
Voting in Person
If You're Challenged or Intimidated
Ask for a poll worker or site supervisor and explain the problem. If you cannot resolve it, ask about voting provisionally and contact the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
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