Here's how to vote in California's November general election

Voting in California has never been easier. However, it is important to know the key deadlines for registering, early voting, voting, and certifying election results. Voters can also track their ballots to ensure they are counted. Here's what you need to know:

How do I check if I'm registered to vote?

Californians can check their status online using their California driver's license or ID card number or the last four digits of their Social Security number here.

Can I still register to vote?

The deadline to register to vote is October 21st. You can register online here.

Paper applications are also available at county election offices, libraries, DMV offices or post offices. One can also be mailed to you by calling (800) 345-VOTE(8683) or sending an email Election department employee. Paper applications must be postmarked or submitted to a county election office 15 days before the election, which is October 21st.

Anyone who does not meet the deadline can register as a conditional voter. Information about registration can be found here.

Where can I find a voter guide?

The state and county will send guides to every registered voter. You can view the government-issued guidance online here. Check out Times reporters' guides here.

What if I need a guide or voting instructions in another language?

Voting information should be available here in several other languages.

Can I vote if I have no permanent address?

Homeless people, people living off the grid and others without a permanent address are eligible to vote, as long as they are U.S. citizens and California residents, are over 18 years old, are not in prison for a felony conviction and are not mentally ill have been declared incompetent by a court.

People without permanent residence can receive voting materials at shelters, post office boxes and businesses, but cannot register to vote using post office box or business addresses.

Voters displaced by the wildfires can have their mail-in ballot sent to an alternative address by calling their county elections office or visiting registertovote.ca.gov. Even if they have mail forwarding set up with the Postal Service, their mail-in ballots will not be forwarded unless their address is changed by election officials.

Every voter has the right to cast their vote in person on election day.

What happens if I don't get a ballot or lose it?

If you did not receive your absentee ballot or lost or destroyed it, you can contact your county elections office to obtain a second ballot. You can also show up at your local polling place and vote using a provisional ballot.

How do I return my mail-in ballot?

Ballots can be dropped into mailboxes or dropped off in person at voting centers. Enter your city and zip code to find the nearest mailbox or center Here. Ballots can also be mailed to county election officials as long as they are postmarked on or before November 5th. All mail-in ballots in California come with a stamped return envelope, eliminating the need for stamps. Don't forget to sign the return envelope. To be counted, the ballot must be received by November 12th.

I would like to vote in person. How do I find out where to go?

Polling place addresses are printed on ballots sent to voters, but you can also find the locations here.

What if I want to vote early?

Early voting begins October 7 at county election offices. Many counties are opening additional early voting sites before Election Day. Secure ballot drop-off locations must be open no later than October 8th. Details about early voting drop-off locations and drop-off locations will be posted at https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/.

How can I make sure my vote is counted?

After you submit your ballot, you can review it Here to track it online. You can see when it was received and when it was counted.

What happens after election day?

County election officials count the ballots and certify the results. In many races, results may not be known for days because mail-in ballots postmarked on Election Day cannot arrive until Nov. 12. County election officials must finalize their election results with the Secretary of State no later than 30 days after the election, and the Secretary of State must certify the election results 38 days after the election.

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