How to vote in the 2026 California general election

California Voter Resource Hub

Quick Answer:

You can vote by mail starting October 5 (deadline November 3 postmark or 8:00 PM drop-off), or vote in person on Election Day, November 3, from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Not registered yet? Register to vote first.

On this page:

Voting in California: Key Information

Mail-in Voting

All registered voters in California will receive a vote by mail ballot starting October 5th. Voters can mail in their ballot (postage is free), or drop if off at a secure drop box, polling location, or county election office. All mail in ballots should be postmark before or by Nov 3 at 8pm.

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IMPORTANT: If mailing on November 3, get a manual postmark from a postal employee inside a United States Post Office.

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Election Day Voting

Vote in person November 3, 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM at your local polling place.

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Early In-Person Voting

VCA Vote Centers open October 24th. Check to see if you're in a VCA County and find a vote center near you visit: https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/

How to vote by mail in California

California automatically mails ballots to all registered voters. Voting by mail gives you time to research candidates at your own pace.

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We encourage you to track your ballot using WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to ensure it's received!

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  1. Receive your ballot: Starting October 5. Arrives with instructions and return envelope. Track it with Where's My Ballot.
  2. Mark your ballot: Review candidates and measures carefully. Mark your choices clearly with a black or blue ink pen. Sign and date the back of the envelope. Follow instructions in your ballot package.
  3. Return your ballot: Mail in return envelope (postmarked by Nov 3), or drop at ballot box/polling place by 8:00 PM Nov 3. Mail by Oct 25 to avoid delays.
  4. Confirm receipt: Use Where's My Ballot to verify your ballot was received and counted after you return it.

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How to vote in-person in California

Vote on Election Day at your local polling place, or earlier through early voting in your county.

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  1. Find your polling place: Visit Voter Status Portal, enter your ZIP code or driver's license. Location will appear with hours and directions.
  2. Check in and get your ballot: Tell poll workers your name. They'll give you your ballot. If you're not on the list, ask about conditional registration.
  3. Mark and submit: Mark your ballot in the voting booth. Submit it directly to a poll worker or scanner. Polls close at 8:00 PM sharp.

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Mail-In AND In-Person ATTRIBUTES

Here's some information to decide what voting method is best for you. Both ways work—the most important thing is that your ballot is cast so your voice is heard!

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Mail-In In-Person
Convenience Vote at home on your schedule without leaving house Must go to polling place on Election Day; Same Day Voter Registration and poll worker assistance available in-person
Timeline Ballot arrives Oct 5; postmark/drop-off deadline Nov 3 8 PM Election Day, 7 AM – 8 PM; or check if your county offers early in-person voting
Tracking Track ballot status online with Where's My Ballot Vote directly into scanner or submit to poll workers
Waiting Time No lines; vote whenever you want Lines possible; If you encounter lines at your polling locations, you have the right to stay in line and vote as long as you arrived on or before 8pm on Election Day.
Questions? Ballot includes instructions; call county office for help Poll workers available to answer questions at location
Convenience
Mail-In:
Vote at home on your schedule without leaving house
In-Person:
Must go to polling place on Election Day
Timeline
Mail-In:
Ballot arrives Oct 5; postmark/drop-off deadline Nov 3 8 PM
In-Person:
Election Day, 7 AM – 8 PM; or check if your county offers early in-person voting
Tracking
Mail-In:
Track ballot status online with Where's My Ballot
In-Person:
Vote directly into scanner or submit to poll workers
Waiting Time
Mail-In:
No lines; vote whenever you want
In-Person:
Lines possible on Election Day, especially late afternoon
Questions?
Mail-In:
Ballot includes instructions; call county office for help
In-Person:
Poll workers available to answer questions at location

Accessibility & Voting Support

California ensures all voters can participate safely and independently.

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  • Polling place accessibility: All polling places are ADA accessible with wheelchair ramps, elevators, and accessible voting machines.
  • Voter assistance: Bring a trusted friend, family member, or caregiver to assist you at polls, or request help from poll workers.
  • Curbside voting: If mobility is difficult, ask poll workers about curbside voting options at your location.
  • Language support: Free language assistance in 9+ languages. Tell poll workers if you need help reading or understanding your ballot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mail-in ballot deadline?

Ballots must be postmarked by November 3, 2026, or dropped off by 8:00 PM on Election Day at a ballot box or polling place.

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Can I vote early in person?

Many California counties offer early voting 29 days before Election Day (starting around October 5). Contact your county’s election office to find early voting locations and hours.

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What if my mail ballot doesn't arrive?

Check Where's My Ballot to see if it was mailed. If it's lost, request a replacement through your county election office, or vote provisionally in person on Election Day.

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What if I make a mistake on my mail ballot?

Request a replacement ballot from your county election office. Don't mail in a damaged ballot. If you accidentally voted, bring it to a polling place to exchange for a new one, or vote provisionally on Election Day.

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Do I need an ID to vote?

In most cases, NO. In person, poll workers may only request ID if ALL of the following apply: you're voting for first time, you registered by mail or online, and you did not provide your CA ID or SSN when registering.

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What if I moved recently?

If you moved within California, update your address at Voter Status Portal before October 19 to receive your ballot at your new address. If you moved after the deadline, use same-day conditional registration at any polling place on November 3.

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