California Voter’s Guide to 2026: Your Voting Questions Answered

Where do I vote? Am I registered to vote? Does everyone receive a newsletter in the mail? Get your Election Day questions answered before California’s June 2 primary.

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How do I vote?

Does everyone receive a newsletter in the mail?

yes According to state law, postal ballots are sent to every active registered voter.

When will I receive my newsletter in the mail?

Counties will begin sending out ballots on May 4.

How do I return my mailed ballot?

• Mail it to your county elections office; to be countedballots must be postmarked on or before June 2 and received by election offices by June 9.
• Drop it in a ballot box, vote center or polling place anywhere in the state.
• Ask someone you trust to do it for you, but that person can’t get paid for it.

Can I vote in person? Where is my polling place or voting center?

Yes, although sending your newsletter as soon as possible is most important the best way to get your vote counted fast. You can find out where to vote in the following ways:

• Check online
• Text “VOTE” to GOVOTE (468-8683)
• Call the Secretary of State’s Hotline at (800) 345-VOTE
• Check your county’s Voter Information Guide or contact your county elections office

If you live in one of the 30 countiesyou will have increased options, including up to 10 days of in-person early voting.

How do I register to vote?

Am I registered to vote?

You can check on Secretary of State website: You will need to enter your name, date of birth and California driver’s license, identification card number, or the last four digits of your social security number. If you do not have these, contact your county election office or secretary of state by email or phone at (800) 345-8683.

If you have changed your name since the last time you voted, or if you have moved and have not notified the Department of Motor Vehicles or the US Postal Service, you may need to register again. If you have not voted in several consecutive general elections, your registration may have been cancelled.

How do I register?

You can do it online here. You will need the same information as above.

If the DMV has your signature on file, you will be able to complete the process online. If not, you will need to print, sign and mail your completed application to your county election office. You can also pick up a paper application at election offices, any DMV office, and at many post offices, public libraries, and government offices. We will contact you when your application is approved or if we need to provide more information.

What happens if I miss the voter registration deadline?

It’s the last day to register online for the primary election May 18. If you register or re-register less than 15 days before May 18, you must complete same-day voter registration and claim your ballot in person at your county election office or polling place.

How do I change my political party if I’m already registered?

I will have to re-register to vote.

What if I need help voting?

What if I need voter information in a language other than English?

The Secretary of State’s office has instructions for voters in the following languages: Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese. Your county elections office may offer additional languages.

When will I receive my voter guide?

The Nationwide Voter Information Guide will be available online by April and will be sent to voters later that month.

What am I voting for?

The June primary is the first opportunity for Californians to choose which candidates will appear on the ballot in the November general election. Unlike some other states, California’s primaries are nonpartisan, so the top two vote-getters in each race will advance to the November election, regardless of political party.

The vote is packed with state and federal races, most notably the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election. In addition to the governor’s race, voters will be asked to choose candidates for Congress, the state legislature and a range of statewide offices, including insurance commissioner and treasurer.

Can I leave work to vote?

yes California requires time off to vote if employees do not have enough time outside of working hours. You can take as much time as you need, but employers are only required to pay for a maximum of two hours.

Employers may require advance notice. The break must be at the beginning or end of your shift. Employers are required to post a notice to this effect 10 days before the national elections.

How can I track my newsletter?

Sign up for California’s BallotTrax toolwhere you can check the status of your newsletter and choose to receive email or text notifications.

Is my newsletter secure?

Yes, voting by post or dropping your ballot into an approved box is a safe and efficient way to vote. Fraudulent voting is uncommon and incredibly difficult given California’s strict voter verification procedures. Mail-in ballots will only be sent to voters whose address and identity have been verified by county election officials. Their vote will be counted only after these officials confirm that the voter’s signature on the envelope matches that on file.

You can find more information about elections and the voting process in California on the Secretary of State’s website. The office takes any allegations of election fraud seriously. Anyone can file a complaint using this form.

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What if I have special circumstances?

What should I do if I’ve mismarked or otherwise messed up my ballot?

If you haven’t submitted it yet, you can exchange your postal ballot for a new one at an election officerequest a new ballot from an election official at the polling place or vote with a provisional ballot. If you they have mailed or delivered in your newsletter, there is no way to fix it. Contact your county elections office for a new ballot.

What if the signature on my ballot does not match the one on file?

County election officials check the signatures on the return envelope against the signatures on your voter registration card to make sure no one is trying to vote incorrectly. It still remains confidential; the ballot paper is separated from the envelope before counting.

Voters with ballots with missing or mismatched signatures are notified and given an opportunity to correct the problem before the selection is authenticated.

What if I don’t receive my ballot?

Contact your county elections office.

help! I dropped my ballot in a box in the wrong county.

Don’t worry—the county will forward it to the correct election office.

I forgot to separate the cob from my ballot. Can I open the sealed envelope and seal it myself?

You can, but the Secretary of State’s office recommends contacting your local district election office. They will eventually process your newsletter and can offer the best guidance on whether to reopen it or just leave the stub attached.