Vote in Person

Where is my polling place? 

The address of your polling place is located on the back of the county Voter Education Guide that your county elections official mailed to you. If you did not receive your booklet, contact your local county elections office. 

You can also text VOTE to GOVOTE (468683) to find the location of your polling place and other local election information. 

Will I need to bring Identification? 

In most cases, California voters are not required to bring identification to vote. However, it's a good idea to bring your ID with you when you vote for the first time. 

A poll worker may ask to see your identification if you mailed your voter registration packet but did not include your driver's license number, California identification number, or the last four digits of your social security number. 

To see the full list of acceptable forms of identification for first-time voters, CLICK HERE. 

What if my name is not on the voter list at the polling place? 

You still have the right to vote on a provisional ballot even if your name is not on the voter list. Your provisional ballot will be counted after the elections officials confirm that you are a registered voter and you did not vote anywhere else. 

What voting system will I use? 

Each county elections office has its own system based on an approved list from the Secretary of State's office. To see what voting system your county uses, CLICK HERE. 

Vote by Mail

How do I get my ballot? 

To request a vote-by-mail ballot, your application must be received no later than seven days before Election Day. You can complete the application in your Voter Information Guide or fill out a California Vote-by-Mail Ballot Application you can print, sign and mail to your local elections office. 

You can also reach out to your local county elections official to see if you can vote by telephone. 

If it is less than seven days before Election Day, you will need to apply in person at your county elections office to request a vote-by-mail ballot. 

When is the last day to return my vote-by-mail ballot? 

Vote-by-mail ballots that are personally delivered must be delivered no later than the close of polls at 8 p.m. on Election Day. 

Vote-by-mail ballots that are mailed must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by local county elections offices no later than three days after Election Day. 

What is the California Voter's Choice Act? 

The California Voter's Choice Act is a new law passed in 2016 that will modernize elections in California by allowing counties to conduct elections under a new model which provides greater convenience and flexibility for voters. 

The new model allows voters to choose how, when and where to cast their ballots by: 

Mailing every voter ballot 

Expanding early in-person voting

Allowing voters to cast a ballot at any vote center within their county 

For any additional questions about voting, call the Secretary of State's toll-free voter hotline at (800) 345-VOTE.