Helpful Voting Links — California
Do not miss your next election! Congressional midterm elections will be held nationwide on November 6, 2018. Local and state elections will also be on many ballots.
- Register to Vote
- Check your registration status
- State Election Website
- State Election Dates
- Find your Polling Place
- See Your Ballot
- Absentee Ballot Instructions
- Request an Absentee Ballot
- Felon Voting Laws
- Call the Election Office: (800) 345-8683
- County Election Offices
- County Government Information
Primary/Caucus Info — California
Presidential
Procedure:
The Republican Party requires that voters register as Republican to participate in their presidential primary. The Democratic Party's presidential primary is open to registered democrats and voters that are unaffiliated with a political party. Nonpartisan ballots will also be available for state and local races.
If you have not voted in the last election or are unsure about your party we recommend that you re-register before the deadline.
Statewide
What's on the ballot?
Some congressional seats, state offices and constitutional amendments may be included on the ballot.
Updated:
2018-02-12See Where Your Elected Officials Stand — California
Voter ID Requirements — California
What forms of ID are acceptable?
The following photo IDs that have photograph and name:
- Drivers license or state issued ID card
- Passport
- Employee ID card
- Credit or Debit card
- Military ID
- Student ID
- Health Club ID
- Insurance Plan ID card
- Utility Bill
- Bank Statement
- Government check
- Government Paycheck
- Document Issued by a governmental agency
- Sample ballot issued by a governmental agency
- Voter notification card issued by a governmental agency
- Public housing identification card issued by a governmental agency
- Lease or rental statement or agreement issued by a governmental agency
- Student identification card issued issued by a governmental agency
- Tuition statement of bill issued by a governmental agency
- Insurance plan card issued by a governmental agency
- Discharge certificate, pardon, or other official document issued to a voter in connection with the resolution of a criminal case, indictment, sentence, or other matter
- Public transportation authority senior citizen discount card issued by a governmental agency
- Identification document issued by governmental disability agencies
- Identification document issued by governmental homeless shelters and other temporary or transitional facilities
- Drug prescription issued by a government doctor or other governmental health care provider
- Property tax statement issued by a governmental agency
- Vehicle registration or certificate of ownership issued by a governmental agency
Early & Absentee Voting — California
Request an Absentee BallotEarly Voting Dates: County-Specific
Many counties provide in-person early voting at select locations. Dates and locations are set by the county elections office and can be found here. No excuse required.
To vote absentee by mail, first you’ll need to apply for an absentee ballot no later than October 30th. You can either select "permanent absentee" on your California voter registration or, if you are already registered, click here to request a vote-by-mail ballot. Then, when you complete your absentee ballot, it must be postmarked by the day before the election.