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Ready to cast your ballot in the 2026 general election?
Election Day is still a few weeks away, but California voters don’t have to wait until November to vote.
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County elections officials will begin mailing ballots to registered voters by Monday, Oct. 5 — and early voting sites will soon begin opening, according to the California Secretary of State.
How early can you vote in California’s general election?
Here’s when early voting sites and vote-by-mail ballot drop-off locations open across California:
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Our community-driven series — How to California — is here to answer your questions about state laws, history, culture, recreation and travel in the Golden State.
McClatchy’s service journalism team, focused on helping our readers navigate daily life, works in communities across the state, including San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Merced, Modesto and Sacramento.
Ask us your questions — big and small — by emailing [email protected] or filling out a form here.
When is the 2026 general election in California?
California’s 2026 general election is on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Voters will decide races and statewide ballot measures, with 14 measures currently qualified for the November ballot.
The measures address topics including housing, taxes, elections, healthcare and other state policies.
Who is eligible to vote in California?
According to the California Secretary of State’s Voter Bill of Rights, you’re eligible to vote in California if:
- You are a U.S. citizen residing in California.
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You’re registered to vote where you currently reside.
- You are not imprisoned for the conviction of a felony.
- A court has not found you incompetent to vote.
How do I register to vote in California?
You can register online to vote through the Secretary of State’s website.
Voter registration forms are also available at county elections offices.
Once submitted, you’ll be notified when your registration is approved — or if more information is needed.
You can check your voter registration status in California by visiting the Secretary of State website.
When is the last day to register to vote in 2026 election?
If you are not yet registered to vote, the last day to register to vote in the 2026 general election is Monday, Oct. 19.
However, California offers same-day voter registration, also known as conditional voter registration, as a way to help ensure all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast a vote on Election Day — even if they missed the deadline.
On Election Day, you can register to vote at your county elections office, any polling place or a vote center.
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When will I get my California ballot in the mail?
County elections officials will begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots by Monday, Oct. 5, according to the California Secretary of State.
When can I vote in person in 2026 general election?
Early Voting sites will open on Monday, Oct. 5, depending on the county, according to the California Secretary of State.
Secure ballot drop boxes are also scheduled to open by Oct. 5.
California’s vote-by-mail period runs from Monday, Oct. 5, through Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Early voting centers are typically open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. — but times and dates can vary by county.
To find the nearest early voting center and vote-by-mail ballot drop-off locations, voters can visit the California Secretary of State website.
When are California polls open?
On Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 3 — polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you are in line by 8 p.m., you have the right to vote.
“No voters who arrive after the polls close may cast votes,” the California Secretary of State said on its website.
At 8 p.m., county elections officials will begin tallying the results.
How late can I vote in California?
According to California’s Voter Bill of Rights, you have the “right to vote if you are still in line when the polls close.”
“If a voter is in line to vote when the polls close they have the right to vote,” the California Secretary of State’s Office previously told The Sacramento Bee via email.
The latest time to get in line is 7:59 p.m.
“The lines will be cut off at 8 p.m.,” the California Secretary of State said.
How late can I mail my California ballot?
When mailing in your ballot, the California Secretary of State said, the ballot “must be postmarked on or before Election Day” and received no later than seven days after Election Day.
Have a question about the 2026 general election?
You can ask the California service journalism team by submitting questions directly to our reporters by emailing [email protected] or by filling out the form below.
We have reporters covering Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, San Luis Obispo and Merced.
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