How To Register To Vote In California Online

State poll opening and closing times

Early voting
Absentee/mail-in voting
All-mail voting
Voter ID laws
Recount laws
Ballot access for major and minor party candidates

Select a state from the menu below to learn more.

Voting policies are enacted and enforced primarily at the state level. These policies, which include voter identification requirements, early voting provisions, online voter registration systems, and more, dictate the conditions under which American citizens cast their ballots in their individual states.

See state election laws

Voter registration details, including methods of registering and requirements
Details on voting in elections, including identification requirements, poll times, and primary election type
Absentee/mail-in voting rules^[1]
Early voting rules
Convicted felons' voting rights
Election administration costs report
Election agencies list
Election policy ballot measures list
Election policy legislation list

See Election administration in California for more detailed information about election and voting policy in the state, including voter list maintenance policies, provisional ballot rules, and post-election auditing practices.

Voter registration

To vote in California, an individual must be a U.S. citizen and California resident. A voter must be at least 18 years of age on Election Day. Conditional voter registration is available beginning 14 days before an election through Election Day.^[2]

On October 10, 2015, California Governor Jerry Brown (D) signed into law Assembly Bill No. 1461, also known as the New Motor Voter Act. The legislation, which took effect in 2016, authorized automatic voter registration in California for any individuals who visit the Department of Motor Vehicles to acquire or renew a driver's license.^[3] ^[4]

Automatic registration

California automatically registers eligible individuals to vote when they complete a driver's license, identification (ID) card, or change of address transaction through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

California has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

California allows same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

To register to vote in California, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

California does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration, although individuals who become U.S. citizens less than 15 days before an election must bring proof of citizenship to their county elections office to register to vote in that election.^[5]

Verifying your registration

The site Voter Status, run by the California Secretary of State's office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voting in elections

President Barack Obama and others casting their ballots in 2012

Voter identification

See also: Voter identification laws by state

California does not require voters to present photo identification. However, some voters may be asked to show a form of identification when voting if they are voting for the first time after registering to vote by mail and did not provide a driver license number, California identification number, or the last four digits of their social security number.^[6] ^[7]

The following list of accepted ID was current as of November 2019. Click here for the California Secretary of State page, "What to Bring to Your Polling Place," to ensure you have the most current information.

Copy of a recent utility bill
Sample ballot booklet sent from the county elections office to the voter
Document sent to the voter by a government agency
Passport
Driver's license
Official state identification card
Student identification that includes name and photograph

Background

As of April 2021, 35 states enforced (or were scheduled to begin enforcing) voter identification requirements. A total of 21 states required voters to present photo identification at the polls; the remainder accepted other forms of identification. Valid forms of identification differ by state. Commonly accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards, and military identification cards.^[8] ^[9]

Poll times

See also: State poll opening and closing times

All polls in California are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.^[10]

Primary election type

See also: Primary elections in California

California uses a top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, move on to the general election. In states that do not use a top-two system, all parties are usually able to put forward a candidate for the general election if they choose to.^[11] ^[12] ^[13] ^[14]

Unlike the top-two format used in some states (Louisiana and Georgia special elections for example), a general election between the top two candidates in California occurs regardless of whether the top candidate received 50 percent of the vote in the first round of elections.

As of 2019, California was one of three states to use a top-two primary system. Washington used the system for congressional and state-level elections, and Nebraska utilized a top-two system for its nonpartisan state legislature.

It should be noted that California voters who register as "no party preference voters" must request a presidential primary ballot; if they fail to do so, such voters will receive a nonpartisan ballot that does not include presidential candidates. For the 2016 presidential contest, the American Independent, Democratic, and Libertarian parties opted to allow "no party preference voters" to participate in their presidential primaries. The Green, Peace and Freedom, and Republican parties opted not to permit such voters to participate in their presidential primaries.^[15]

Absentee/mail-in voting

See also: Absentee/mail-in voting

California provides for universal, automatic mail-in voting in all elections. Local election officials automatically deliver mail-in ballots to all registered voters . State law does not preclude voters from choosing instead to cast their ballots in person.^[16]

Early voting

See also: Early voting

California permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Convicted felons' voting rights

See also: Voting rights for convicted felons

In California, individuals convicted of a felony have their right to vote automatically restored once they have completed prison time and parole. Individuals serving sentences in state or federal prisons cannot vote, while those in county jail as a condition of probation and those serving a felony jail sentence retain the right to vote as of 2016.^[17]

Voting rights for convicted felons vary from state to state. In the majority of states, convicted felons cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.^[18] ^[19]

Election administration costs

National Conference of State Legislatures report, 2018

On February 14, 2018, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) released a report on the costs of election administration in the states: "The Price of Democracy: Splitting the Bill for Elections." The report's authors noted that "no one knows how much [states] spend on elections ... [because] good research on election costs is slim." Generally, local units of government (most often counties, but sometimes cities and towns) are primarily responsible for election administration costs, though states and the federal government may also contribute. The report identified the states listed in the table below as assuming financial responsibility for at least some aspects of election administration.^[20]

To access the complete NCSL report, click here.

Election administration costs assumed by state
State pays all expenses for federal or state elections	State bears a portion of election costs	State pays for statewide special elections or statewide elections that don't coincide with regularly scheduled elections	State pays for primary elections (statewide, presidential, or both)
Alaska Delaware	Alabama Colorado Hawaii Kentucky Louisiana Rhode Island	Arkansas Florida Iowa Michigan Missouri New Jersey North Dakota Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Tennessee Washington West Virginia	Arizona Arkansas Idaho Kansas Michigan Minnesota Missouri South Carolina Tennessee Texas Virginia Washington
Note: If a state is not listed above, it was not included in the report. Source: National Conference of State Legislatures, "The Price of Democracy: Splitting the Bill for Elections," February 14, 2018

Election administration cost database

The California Association of Clerks and Election Officials maintains a partial database on election administration costs in the state. That database is accessible here.

Election agencies

Seal of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission

See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in California can contact the following state and federal agencies.

California Secretary of State:

1500 11th Street, 5th Floor

Sacramento, California 95814

Telephone: 916-657-2166

Fax: 916-653-3214

http://www.sos.ca.gov/

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

1335 East West Highway, Suite 4300

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Telephone: 866-747-1471

Noteworthy events

On September 27, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed AB37 into law, providing for universal, automatic mail-in voting in all future elections in California. Under the law as enacted, local election officials must automatically mail every registered voter a mail-in ballot. In addition, AB37 modified the mail-in ballot return deadline: ballots are considered "timely cast" if voted on or before Election Day and, when delivered by mail, received by election officials no later than seven days after Election Day (previously, the receipt deadline for ballots returned by mail was three days after Election Day). The law does not preclude voters from choosing instead to cast their ballots in person.^[16]

On September 2, 2021, the California State Senate approved the final version of AB37 by a vote of 30-7. On September 3, 2021, the California State Assembly followed suit, voting 60-17 in favor of the bill.^[16]

In response to the bill's signing, Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D) said, "Voters like having options for returning their ballot whether by mail, at a secure drop box, a voting center or at a traditional polling station. And the more people who participate in elections, the stronger our democracy and the more we have assurance that elections reflect the will of the people of California." Meanwhile, California GOP Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson said, "It's no secret that Democrats have and will continue to try to manipulate election regulations for their political advantage. Republicans will hold them accountable through our election integrity operations – including litigation, where appropriate – and by recruiting and supporting candidates who will provide solutions to California's numerous challenges."^[21]

Click here for the full text of the bill.

Election policy ballot measures

See also: Elections and campaigns on the ballot and List of California ballot measures

Ballotpedia has tracked the following ballot measures relating to election and campaign policy in California.

California Proposition 198, Open Blanket Primary Election Initiative (March 1996)
California Poll Tax, Proposition 10 (1914)
California Proposition 226, Ban on Political Contributions from Payroll Deductions Initiative (June 1998)
California Proposition 3, Closed Presidential Primaries Measure (1998)
California Proposition 208, Campaign Contribution and Spending Limits Initiative (1996)
California Proposition 219, Uniform Application of Ballot Measures Amendment (June 1998)
California Proposition 23, None of the Above Option on Ballots Initiative (March 2000)
California Proposition 34, State Elective Office Campaign Contribution Limits Measure (2000)
California Proposition 62, Top-Two Primaries Initiative (2004)
California Proposition 15, Biennial Lobbyist Fee and Public Campaign Funding Measure (June 2010)
California Proposition 14, Top-Two Primaries Amendment (June 2010)
California Proposition 168, Elections on Low-Rent Housing Projects (1993)
California Proposition 131, Term Limits and Campaign Finance Limits Initiative (1990)
California Proposition 136, Changes to Vote Requirements for New or Increased Taxes Initiative (1990)
California Proposition 137, Voter Approval for Certain Rules Governing Initiatives Amendment (1990)
California Proposition 77, Changes to Legislative and Congressional Redistricting Initiative (2005)
California Proposition 68, Campaign Spending Limits (June 1988)
California Proposition 60, Political Parties to Participate in Primaries and General Elections Amendment (2004)
California Proposition 66, Elected County Assessors (June 1988)
California Proposition 20, Congressional Redistricting Initiative (2010)
California Proposition 59, Elections of County District Attorneys (1986)
California Proposition 62, Voter Approval of Local Taxes (1986)
California Proposition 20, Political Candidates Who Defame Their Opponents (1984)
California Proposition 40, Campaign Contribution Limitations (1984)
California Proposition 41, County Voting Equipment Bond Measure (March 2002)
California Proposition 4, Low-Rent Housing Amendment (June 1980)
California Proposition 89, Public Campaign Finance Program, Campaign Finance Limits, and Increased Corporate Tax Initiative (2006)
California Direct Primary Law, Proposition 4 (1916)
California Direct Primary Law, Proposition 1 (October 1915)
California Form of Ballot Law, Proposition 2 (October 1915)
California Proposition 6, Elected County Sheriffs (June 1978)
California Proposition 6, Voting Rights of Naturalized Citizens (June 1972)
California Proposition 7, Open Presidential Primaries (1972)
California Elections by Plurality, Proposition 23 (1914)
California Elections of United States Senators, Proposition 32 (1914)
California Alien Poll Tax, Proposition 11 (1920)
California Poll Taxes, Proposition 13 (1924)
California Rules for Voter Residence, Proposition 18 (1924)
California Proposition 6, Publication of State Bond Proposals (1958)
California Proposition 8, Residency Requirement for Casting a Presidential Vote (1958)
California Proposition 2, Increase in Length of State Assembly Term (1960)
California Proposition 8, Felons Not Allowed to Vote While Serving Sentence (1960)
California Proposition 21, Elections of Superior Court Judges (1962)
California Proposition 8, Superior Court Judicial Elections (1964)
California Proposition 15, Older Voters Relieved of Educational Requirement (1966)
California Voter Eligibility, Proposition 13 (1926)
California Primary Elections, Proposition 23 (1926)
California Proposition 25, Residency Requirement for Voting Eligibility (1930)
California Proposition 22, Municipal Charter Amendment Elections (1930)
California Proposition 18, Rules for Adopting County Charters (1932)
California Proposition 17, Rules for Adopting City Charters (1932)
California Proposition 17, Timing of Elections on Initiatives (1938)
California Proposition 4, Election Returns for Governor and Lieutenant Governor (1940)
California Proposition 16, Repeal of the Educational Poll Tax (1946)
California Proposition 7, County Boards of Education (1946)
California Proposition 8, Superior Court Judicial Vacancies (1948)
California Proposition 13, the "Anti-Cross-Filing Initiative" (1952)
California Proposition 7, Ballot Designation of Partisan Affiliations (1952)
California Proposition 12, Voting Eligibility Rules for "Infamous Crime" Felons (1954)
California Proposition 43, Constitutional Right to Have One's Vote Counted Amendment (March 2002)
California Proposition 9, Creation of the Fair Political Practices Commission (June 1974)
California Proposition 49, Prohibition of Political Party Endorsements for Nonpartisan Candidates Amendment (June 1986)
California Proposition 20, County Charter Provisions for Nomination and Election of Officers (1932)
California Proposition 19, City Charter Provisions for Nomination and Election of Officers (1932)
California Proposition 7, Day of Precinct Residence Required for Voting Eligibility (1948)
California Proposition 4, Eligibility to Vote in the Event of a Pre-Election Move (1950)
California Proposition 32, Ban on Political Contributions from Payroll Deductions Initiative (2012)
California Bond Election Qualifications, Proposition 13 (1914)
California Proposition 6, Selection of State and County Boards of Education (June 1970)
California Proposition 4, Charter Provisions Governing Election of Local Officials (June 1978)
California Non-Profit Donor Disclosure Initiative (2014)
California Nonpartisan Ballots Initiative (2016)
California Senatorial Elections, Proposition 1 (1892)
California Voter Qualifications, Proposition 3 (1892)
California Elections by Ballot, Amendment 2 (1896)
California Election of County Officers, Amendment 5 (1896)
California Direct Primaries, Amendment 3 (1908)
California Municipal Elections, Proposition 17 (October 1911)
California Prohibition Elections, Proposition 47 (1914)
California Indebtedness of Political Subdivisions, Proposition 21 (1926)
California Proposition 53, Voter Approval Requirement for Revenue Bonds above $2 Billion (2016)
California Proposition 73, Limits on Campaign Donations (June 1988)
California Proposition 4, Presidential Primary Candidates (June 1972)
California Proposition 18, Primary Voting for 17-Year-Olds Amendment (2020)
California Proposition 16, Require Supermajority Voter Approval to Expand Utility Services Initiative (June 2010)
California Proposition 17, Car Insurance Rates Based on Coverage History Initiative (June 2010)
California Proposition 27, Elimination of Citizens Redistricting Commission Initiative (2010)
California Proposition 45, Local Legislative Option to Extend Term Limits via Petition Amendment (March 2002)
California Proposition 44, Chiropractic License Revocation for Insurance Fraud Measure (March 2002)
California Proposition 212, Campaign Spending and Contribution Limits Initiative (1996)
California Internet Voting System Initiative (2022)
California Voter Identification and Registration Requirements Initiative (2022)

Election policy legislation

The following is a list of recent election bills that have been introduced in or passed by the California state legislature. To learn more about each of these bills, click the bill title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.

Note: Due to the nature of the sorting process used to generate this list, some results may not be relevant to the topic. If no bills are displayed below, no legislation pertaining to this topic has been introduced in the legislature recently.

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms California voting. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

External links

Election website
California online voter registration

Footnotes

↑ We use the term "absentee/mail-in voting" to describe systems in which requests or applications are required. We use the term "all-mail voting" to denote systems where the ballots themselves are sent automatically to all voters. We use the hyphenate term for absentee voting because some states use "mail voting" (or a similar alternative) to describe what has traditionally been called "absentee voting."
↑ California Secretary of State, "Voter Registration," accessed October 6, 2019
↑ The Los Angeles Times, "Gov. Brown approves automatic voter registration for Californians," October 10, 2015
↑ The Sacramento Bee, "California voter law could register millions–for a start," October 20, 2015
↑ California Secretary of State, "Registering to Vote," accessed October 6, 2019
↑ California Secretary of State, "What to Bring to Your Polling Place," accessed November 20, 2019
↑ BARCLAYS OFFICIAL CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, "Section 20107," accessed November 20, 2019
↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Voter Identification Requirements|Voter ID Laws," June 5, 2017
↑ The Washington Post, "Do I need an ID to vote? A look at the laws in all 50 states," October 27, 2014
↑ California Secretary of State, "Section 2: Polling Place Hours," accessed October 17, 2019
↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed October 25, 2019
↑ FairVote, "Primaries," accessed October 25, 2019
↑ Ballotpedia research conducted December 26, 2013, through January 3, 2014, researching and analyzing various state websites and codes.
↑ Alex Padilla California Secretary of State, "Primary Elections in California," accessed October 25, 2019
↑ California Secretary of State, "No Party Preference Information," accessed April 26, 2016
↑ ^16.0 ^16.1 ^16.2 California Legislative Information, "AB-37 Elections: vote by mail ballots," accessed October 5, 2021
↑ Alex Padilla California Secretary of State, "Voting Rights: Persons with a Criminal History," accessed October 16, 2019
↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Felon Voting Rights," accessed July 15, 2014
↑ American Civil Liberties Union, "State Criminal Re-enfranchisement Laws," accessed September 13, 2019
↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "The Price of Democracy: Splitting the Bill for Elections," February 14, 2018
↑ The Sacramento Bee, "California is now permanently a vote-by-mail state as Gavin Newsom signs bill," September 27, 2021

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