Haven’t registered to vote yet for the Nov. 3 election? Hurry. Sort of.
Technically, you can register to vote in California up to and on Election Day, but if you want to receive a ballot in the mail, you need to register by today — Monday, Oct. 19.
Fast. How do I register?
You can register online at registertovote.ca.gov.
How do I know if I am registered?
You should have received your ballot in the mail by now, because every registered voter in California will get theirs that way this year year because of the coronavirus. You can check your registration status at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. If you’re registered but have moved, make sure you re-register by Oct. 19 to get a ballot in the mail at your new address.
If you’re already registered but misplace your ballot or don’t receive one, you have until Oct. 27 to request a new ballot.
What happens to your ballot once you send it in?
Have we got a video for you. Watch a “Journey of a California Ballot” for all the answers.
I got my ballot but made a mistake filling it out. What do I do?
You can request a new ballot, but you must do so by Oct. 27. You can find a vote-by-mail ballot request form on the Secretary of State’s website. (Only do this if you need a new ballot. If you’re registered, you should automatically receive one in the mail.)
How do I make sure my ballot is counted?
You can drop your ballot in the mail (no postage required) or a ballot drop box, you can take it to a polling location or you can vote in person. If you drop it in the mail, your ballot will count as long as it is postmarked no later than Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 20. California pushed that date back two weeks this year to account for possible postal delays because most ballots will be sent through the mail because of the coronavirus.
You can also track the status of your ballot at california.ballottrax.net.
