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To register to vote in California, you must be: Not currently found to be mentally incompetent by a court of law. Find out who can vote in California here.
- Voter Registration
- Voting
- Primary Election
- Propositions
- Running For Office
Who can register to vote?
To register to vote in California, you must be: 1. A United States citizen and a resident of California, 2. 18 years old or older on Election Day, 3. Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony(for more information, please see Voting Rights Restored: Persons with a Prior Felony Conviction), and 4. Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court (for more information, please see Voting Rights: Persons Subject to Conservatorship).
Who can pre-register to vote?
To pre-register to vote in California, you must: 1. Be 16 or 17 years old, and 2. Meet all of the other requirements to vote. You will automatically be registered to vote on your 18thbirthday.
How do I register to vote?
To register to vote you must complete a voter registration application on paper or online at RegisterToVote.ca.gov. When you register online, the system will search the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) database for your California driver license or identification card number, date of birth, and last four digits of your social security number. If your information is found and you authorize elections officials' use of your DMV signature, an electronic image of your DMV signature will be added...
How do I find out what my legislative and congressional districts are?
You may contact your county elections official or refer to "Who Are My Representatives?".
How can I vote a vote-by-mail ballot?
County elections officials mail vote-by-mail ballots to all active registered voters.
Apply for a second ballot
If you failed to receive your vote-by-mail ballot or you have lost or destroyed your original ballot, contact your county elections official in order to be sent a second vote-by-mail ballot.
What is a voter-nominated office?
The Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act, which took effect January 1, 2011, created "voter-nominated" offices. The Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act does not apply to candidates running for U.S. President, county central committees, or local offices. Most of the offices that were previously known as "partisan" are now known as "voter-nominated" offices. Voter-nominated offices are state constitutional offices, state legislative offices, U.S. senate, and U.S. congressional offices. The only...
How are primary elections conducted in California?
All candidates for voter-nominated offices are listed on one ballot and only the top two vote-getters in the primary election – regardless of party preference - move on to the general election. A write-in candidate will only move on to the general election if the candidate is one of the top two vote-getters in the primary election. Prior to the Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act, the top vote-getter from each qualified political party, as well as any write-in candidate who received a certain...
How are presidential primary elections conducted in California?
Qualified political parties in California may hold presidential primaries in one of two ways: 1. Closed presidential primary - the party only allows voters indicating a preference for that party to vote for its presidential nominee. 2. Modified-closed presidential primary - in addition to allowing voters indicating a preference for that party to vote for its presidential nominee, the party also allows voters who did not indicate a party preference to vote for its presidential nominee. If a qu...
When is the deadline for initiatives, referenda, and legislative measures to qualify for the ballot and which election ballot will they appear on?
As a result of Senate Bill 202 (Chapter 558, Statutes of 2011), from July 2011 forward, initiative and referendum measures will only appear on general election ballots. Initiatives have to qualify 131 days before a general election. Referenda can qualify for the ballot up to 31 days before a general election. Senate Bill 202 does not affect the placement of legislative measures on the ballot. Legislative measures can still appear on the ballot during any statewide election. Legislative measur...
How and when are numbers assigned to state propositions?
State propositions are generally numbered between 131 and 105 days before an election and are numbered in 10-year cycles starting with the number "1," according to Elections Code section 13117. The current numbering cycle starts with the November 4, 2008, General Election.
How can I learn more about California's statewide initiative process?
The Secretary of State's Statewide Ballot Initiative Handbookcontains some very useful information on this topic.
What requirements must a person meet to run for office?
These requirements are specific to the office and are posted at Candidate Information.
When do candidates have to file their various official documents in order to become certified for the next statewide election cycle?
Please refer to Candidate Informationfor information on candidate filing deadlines. (return to top)
If you've moved to a new state close to the election, it's best to register to vote there. You can visit the Voter Help Desk to find out if you're eligible!
Who Can Vote in California. Choose Language. All Registered Voters Can Vote in a Primary or General Election. To register to vote in California, you must be: A United States citizen and a resident of California, 18 years old or older on Election Day,
You must be a resident of a voting jurisdiction to vote there, & the definition of residency varies by state. Find the rules for yours at the Voter Help Desk! To be eligible to vote within a particular voting jurisdiction or area, you must be a resident of that jurisdiction/area.
Oct 20, 2016 · In many states, no explanation is needed — if you're registered in that state, you can simply apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail. In others, you need to provide...
People also ask
Can I vote if I'm no longer a resident?
Can a non-citizen vote in California?
Can I vote if I'm registered in another state?
What if I can't register and vote in my new state?
Should I Keep my Voter registration in my former state?
Can I register as a military or overseas voter in California?
Nov 4, 2022 · California is not registering non-citizens to vote. In order to register to vote in California, an individual must be a U.S. citizen, a California resident, 18 years or older, not be a felon and not be declared mentally unfit to vote by a court, according to the California secretary of state.
