Registration
California registration options include Online, By Mail, and In Person.
State Voting Guide
California Voting Guide
Use this California voting guide to check registration options, voter ID requirements, polling hours, absentee voting, eligibility rules, and official resources.
Last reviewed: August 14, 2026. Generated from structured state voting models and official-source links.
At a Glance
California voting quick facts
Voter ID
California is listed as No document required to vote.
Poll Hours
Polling places are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM.
Absentee and Mail Voting
Any registered voter may vote using a vote-by-mail ballot instead of going to the polls on Election Day. To request a vote-by-mail ballot for a single election or to request a vote-by-mail ballot for all elections (permanent vote-by-mail voting).
Felony Voting Rights
In California, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2020, voters passed Proposition 17 to restore voting rights to citizens on parole.
Voter Lookup
Lookup tools may help with check your voter registration status, check where you are registered to vote, check your political party preference, and 4 more.
Register
California voter registration options
California voters may register online, by mail, or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted. Same-day registration may also be available where noted.
Online Available
Online registration deadline is 15 days before Election Day. If you are enrolled in California's confidential address program, Safe At Home, please do not apply to register to vote using the online option. Contact the Safe At Home program toll-free at (877) 322-5227 or by the Safe At Home email - http://www.sos.ca.gov/registries/safe-home/
- Online registration must be completed 15 days before Election Day.
By Mail Available
Pick up a paper voter registration application at any Department of Motor Vehicles field office, and many post offices, public libraries, and government offices, or request one from your county elections office. To receive a voter registration application by mail from the Secretary of State, call the toll-free Voter Hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683
- Mail registration must meet the state deadline 15 days before Election Day.
In Person Available
You must be registered to vote at least 15 days before Election Day. Registration for new residents and new citizens shall be in progress beginning with the 14th day prior to an election Registration for new residents and new citizens shall be in progress beginning with the 14th day prior to an election and ending on the seventh day prior to election day...
- In-person registration must be completed 15 days before Election Day.
same day registration Available
Same Day Voter Registration is available to Californians who miss the deadline to register to vote or update their voter registration information for an election. A new citizen is eligible to register and vote at the office of, or at another location designated by, the county elections official at any time beginning on the 14th day before an election and...
- Same-day registration is available through Election Day where permitted.
military overseas Available
Military and overseas voters may have additional registration options.
national_form
The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.
registration_status
Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Call your county clerk and inquire about the status of your application.
Identification
California voter ID laws
California voter ID rule: No document required to vote.
No document required to vote
California voter ID rule: No document required to vote.
Code: Cal. Elec. Code §§ 14216, 14310
Accepted forms of ID
- California generally does not require voters to present identification at the polls. However, first-time voters who registered by mail and did not provide identification when registering may be required to show identification under federal HAVA requirements.
If you do not have ID
- Most California voters are not required to present identification in order to vote. If identification is required for a first-time voter under federal law and the voter cannot provide it, the voter may cast a provisional ballot.
Polling Places
California poll hours
Polling places in California are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM.
7:00 AM-8:00 PM
The polls shall be open at 7 a.m. of the day of any election, and shall be kept open until 8 p.m. of the same day, when the polls shall be closed, except as provided in Section 14401. Voting shall commence as soon as the polls are opened and shall be continued during the time the polls remain open.
Absentee Voting
California absentee and mail voting
Any registered voter may vote using a vote-by-mail ballot instead of going to the polls on Election Day. To request a vote-by-mail ballot for a single election or to request a vote-by-mail ballot for all elections (permanent vote-by-mail voting).
Absentee Voting In California
Any registered voter may vote using a vote-by-mail ballot instead of going to the polls on Election Day. To request a vote-by-mail ballot for a single election or to request a vote-by-mail ballot for all elections (permanent vote-by-mail voting).
Request an absentee ballot
- Any time after 7 days before Election Day, you will need to apply in person at your county elections office to request a vote-by-mail ballot for that election.
- Contact your county elections official to see if your county allows you to apply by telephone.
- You may use the application printed on the voter information guide that is mailed to you by your county elections official prior to every election. You may also visit or write to your county elections official for an application or you may...
- Before a presidential primary election, a No Party Preference (NPP) voter may use the California Vote-by-Mail application (PDF) to request the presidential ballot of a political party who is allowing voters to vote their party’s ballot
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Vote-by-mail ballots that are mailed must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than 3 days after Election Day.
- Vote-by-mail ballots that are personally delivered must be delivered no later than the close of polls at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
- Vote-by-mail ballots that are personally delivered to a ballot drop-off location must be delivered no later than the close of polls at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
- Anyone may return your ballot for you, as long as they do not get paid on a per ballot basis. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must fill out the authorization section found on the outside of your ballot envelope.
Ways to Vote
California voting options
Voting options available in California.
Voting In Person at the Polls
The address of your polling place is on the back page of the sample ballot booklet that your county elections official mailed to you.If you do not have the booklet, contact your county elections office, or call the Secretary of State's toll-free voter hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683).Even if your name is not on the voter list at the polling place, you have the right to vote with a provisional ballot. Your provisional...
Voting By Mail
Instead of going to the polls on Election Day, you may vote using the vote-by-mail ballot that will be sent to you. After you have voted, insert your ballot in the envelope provided, making sure you complete all required information on the envelope. When your vote-by-mail ballot is received by your county elections official, your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature(s) in your voter...
Eligibility
California voter eligibility
Under federal law, if you move within 30 days of a presidential election, you are allowed to vote for President and Vice President in your former state of residence, either in person or by absentee ballot.
Age requirements
Voting age: 18 years of age or older on Election Day
Registration age: You can pre-register to vote at 16 or 17 and if you do, you will automatically be registered to vote on your 18th birthday.
To register to vote in the State of California, an individual must meet the following qualifications:
- Be a United States Citizen
- A Resident of California,
- Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court
- Not currently in state or federal prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony
Voting Rights
California felony conviction voting rights
In California, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2020, voters passed Proposition 17 to restore voting rights to citizens on parole.
Lost Only While Incarcerated; Automatic Restoration After Release
In California, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2020, voters passed Proposition 17 to restore voting rights to citizens on parole.
Citation: Cal. Const. Art. II, § 2; Cal. Elec. Code §§ 2101, 2201, 2212
Recent actions
- 2020 Voters passed Proposition 17 restoring rights to citizens on parole.
- 2016 Enacted AB 2466 , allowing those in county jails (not prison) to vote while incarcerated.
Work and Voting
California time off for voting
(a) If a voter does not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote at a statewide election, the voter may, without loss of pay, take off enough working time that, when added to the voting time available outside of working hours, will enable the voter to vote.
Time off status: Yes
(a) If a voter does not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote at a statewide election, the voter may, without loss of pay, take off enough working time that, when added to the voting time available outside of working hours, will enable the voter to vote.
California Election Code - Employers to allow time off for voting
- (a) If a voter does not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote at a statewide election, the voter may, without loss of pay, take off enough working time that, when added to the voting time available outside of working hours...
- (b) No more than two hours of the time taken off for voting shall be without loss of pay. The time off for voting shall be only at the beginning or end of the regular working shift, whichever allows the most free time for voting and the...
- (c) If the employee on the third working day prior to the day of election, knows or has reason to believe that time off will be necessary to be able to vote on election day, the employee shall give the employer at least two working days'...
Lookup
California voter information lookup
Check your Voter Registration Status.
Voter Information Lookup
Use the lookup tool to check your voter registration status, check where you are registered to vote, check your political party preference, check your polling place location, and 3 more.
Moving
California moving and student voting
As a Californian living away from home while attending a college, trade school or technical school, you may choose to register to vote using your home away from home address you use while at school or your traditional home address.
Movers and college students Voting
As a Californian living away from home while attending a college, trade school or technical school, you may choose to register to vote using your home away from home address you use while at school or your traditional home address.
Voting Options for College Students
- As a Californian living away from home while attending a college, trade school or technical school, you may choose to register to vote using your home away from home address you use while at school or your traditional home address.
- Choosing which address to use when you register to vote is a personal decision. Whatever you decide, you may not register to vote in two places during the same election cycle.
What should I do if I have just moved
- Your voter registration record should always reflect your current residence. However, if you have moved from your home into a temporary residence (not your permanent residence), you can continue to use your prior permanent residence where...
Sources
California official voting resources
Questions
Common California questions
Can I register to vote online in California?
California lists online voter registration as available. Online registration deadline is 15 days before Election Day. If you are enrolled in California's confidential address program, Safe At Home, please do not apply to register to vote using the online option. Contact the...
What voter ID rule does California use?
California is listed as No document required to vote. Review the accepted ID forms and voter-without-ID procedures before voting.
What time do polls open in California?
Polling places in California are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM. Confirm your assigned polling place before Election Day.
Where can I check my California voter registration or polling place?
The California voter lookup section lists tools for check your voter registration status, check where you are registered to vote, check your political party preference, check your polling place location, and 3 more.
Can people with felony convictions vote in California?
In California, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2020, voters passed Proposition 17 to restore voting rights to citizens on parole.