How to Register to Vote

Qualifications to Register to Vote

To register to vote in California, you must be:

  • A United States citizen and a resident of California,
  • 18 years old or older on Election Day,
  • Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony, and 
  • Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.

Military and Overseas Voters

Military and overseas voters are United States citizens who are members of the Uniformed Services (on active duty) and their eligible dependents, members of the Merchant Marine and their eligible dependents, commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or United States citizens residing outside the United States. To apply to register to vote, receive your election materials, and vote, you must apply for a special absentee ballot by filling out a Federal Postcard Application (FPCA).

Voter Registration Deadlines

The deadline to register to vote is 15 days before each election.  If you forget to register in time you can register and vote the same day through a process called Conditional Voter Registration. 

Re-Register to Vote When You..

  • Move to a new permanent residence,
  • Change your name, or
  • Change your political party choice.

Cancel Voter Registration Status:

If you wish to cancel your voter registration, you may do so by submitting a written request. 

Additional Voter Registration Resources

VOTER REGISTRATION USE: Pursuant to Election Code 2157.2.  “Information on your voter registration affidavit will be used by elections officials to send you official information on the voting process, such as the location of your polling place and the issues and candidates that will appear on the ballot. Commercial use of voter registration information is prohibited by law and is a misdemeanor. Voter information may be provided to a candidate for office, a ballot measure committee, or other persons for election, scholarly, journalistic, political, or governmental purposes, as determined by the Secretary of State. Driver’s license and social security numbers, or your signature as shown on your voter registration card, cannot be released for these purposes. If you have any questions about the use of voter information or wish to report suspected misuse of such information, please call the Secretary of State’s Voter Protection and Assistance Hotline. Certain voters facing life-threatening situations may qualify for confidential voter status. For more information, please contact the Secretary of State’s Safe At Home program or visit the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site.”