General Election - November 3, 2026
California is proud to offer voters secure, accessible, and transparent elections. Each active registered voter will receive a ballot by mail, allowing them to vote safely and conveniently. You may return your ballot at an official ballot drop box, by voting in person at a voting location, or by returning it via the United States Postal Service. Early voting opportunities are available in many communities, and Election Day remains an option for those who prefer to vote in person.
- Registered to Vote? Visit https://registertovote.ca.gov/. The last day to register to vote online for November 3, 2026, General Election is October 19.
- Make your voice heard early. Return your ballot by mail as soon as you receive it. County elections officials will begin mailing ballots by October 5.
- Ballots can be dropped off at a drop-off location, county elections office, or returned by mail. Secure ballot drop-off locations open on October 6.
- Skip the lines on Election Day. The first vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties on October 24. In-person early voting locations throughout California will be open on Saturday, October 31.
- To ensure your ballot is postmarked by Election Day make sure to mail it at least 7 days in advance. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before November 3.
- If mailing a ballot on November 3, get a manual postmark from a postal employee inside a United States Post Office.
- November 3 is the last day to vote in-person or return a ballot by 8:00 p.m. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Don't Delay! Vote Today!
Make your voice heard early. You can vote your ballot as soon as you receive it. Follow these five easy steps to exercise your right to vote:
Complete it. Mark your choices on your ballot.
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Seal it. Secure your ballot inside the ballot return envelope you received from your county elections office.
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Sign it. Sign the outside of your ballot return envelope.
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Return it. By drop box, in person or by mail.
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Track it. Sign up at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov to receive updates on the status of your ballot.
Dates to Remember!
October 5 - County elections officials will begin mailing ballots on or before this date.
October 5 – November 3 - Voting period to return ballot.
October 6 - Secure ballot drop boxes open.
October 19 - Last day to register to vote. Same day voter registration is available at your county elections office or voting location after the voter registration deadline, up to and including Election Day.
October 24 - First day vote centers open in Voter’s Choice Act counties for early in-person voting.
October 31 - In-person early voting locations throughout California will be open on Saturday, October 31. Visit caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov to find locations and voting hours.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 - Last day to vote in-person or return a ballot by 8:00 p.m. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mail your ballot back as soon as possible after you receive it. To be counted, your ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day. We recommend mailing it at least 7 days before Election Day. If you mail it closer to Election Day, take it to a United States Post Office and ask a postal employee for a manual postmark.
November 10 - Last day counties can receive vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day.
November 25 - Last day to correct ballot envelope signature issues by 5:00 p.m.
How Can I Return My Ballot?
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You have options! You can return your ballot by any of the following ways:
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By drop box: You may personally deliver your ballot to any polling or ballot drop-off location in California by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
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In person: Polling locations are established by county elections officials and are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026. To find a location to vote early before Election Day, visit caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov.
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By mail: Return your ballot by mail as soon as you receive it. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day. To ensure your ballot is postmarked by Election Day make sure to mail it at least seven days in advance. If mailing on November 3, 2026, get a manual postmark from a postal employee inside a United States Post Office.
How to Request a Replacement Ballot
October 27, 2026 - Recommended deadline to request a replacement ballot
If you did not receive your ballot in the mail, or your original ballot was lost or damaged, you may apply for a replacement ballot. The replacement ballot application can be found at https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/vote-by-mail/pdf/replacement-application.pdf.
You may also request a replacement ballot from your county elections office by phone, email, fax, or other electronic means.
What's on the Ballot?
If you are a registered voter, you will receive two voter information guides by mail:
- Your State Voter Information Guide (VIG) contains information about when and where to cast your ballot, constitutional and judicial candidates and propositions on the statewide ballot, and your rights as a California voter. The State Voter Information Guide is only mailed prior to a statewide election.
- Your County Voter Information Guide contains a sample of your ballot and information about local candidates and ballot measures, and, for some counties, the location of your polling place. A County Voter Information Guide is sent prior to statewide and local elections.
Assistance for Voters with Disabilities
Curbside voting
Allows you to park as close as possible to the voting area. Elections officials will bring you a roster to sign, a ballot, and any other voting materials you may need, whether you are actually at a curb or in a car. All polling places and vote centers are required to be accessible to voters with disabilities and will have accessible voting machines.
Voting at Home
Remote accessible vote-by-mail (RAVBM) systems provide an accessible option for voters with disabilities to receive their ballots at home and mark them independently and privately before sending them back to their elections official. Contact your county elections official for more information.
For more information about voter registration, voting, and upcoming elections, explore the full Elections Division website
