If you would like to register to vote in a language other than English, please select your language below.
In California, the deadline to register to vote for any election is 15 days before Election Day, so register early!
You can apply to register to vote right now by completing the online application. The app is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese. If you have any questions, please visit the FAQ or contact the Secretary of State Elections Division at (800) 345-vote (8683) or by email.
If you are enrolled in California’s Confidential Address Program, Safe at Home, please do not apply to register to vote using this site. contact the safe at home program toll-free at (877) 322-5227 or by email safe at home.
qualifications to register to vote
To register to vote in California, you must be:
- a citizen of the united states and a resident of california (for information on military and overseas voters, see military and overseas voters),
- 18 years of age or more than Election Day,
- not currently serving a state or federal prison sentence for a felony conviction (for more information, see Voting Rights: People With a Criminal Record), and
- You are not currently mentally incompetent to vote for a court (for more information, see Voting Rights: Persons Subject to Guardianship).
requirements to pre-register to vote
To pre-register to vote in California, you must:
- be 16 or 17 years old and
- meet all other eligibility requirements to vote.
You will automatically register to vote when you turn 18.
to obtain a paper voter registration application
If you want to register using a paper voter registration application, you can pick one up at your county elections office, library, department of motor vehicle offices, or in the us. uu. post Office. It is important that your voter registration application be filled out completely and postmarked or hand-delivered to your county elections office at least 15 days before the election.
To request a paper voter registration application be mailed to you, call (800) 345-vote(8683) or email Elections Division staff.
how to fill out a california voter registration card (pdf)
- Spanish (pdf)
- Chinese (pdf)
- Hindi (pdf)
- Japanese (pdf)
- Khmer (pdf)
- Korean (pdf)
- Tagalog (pdf)
- Thai (pdf)
- Vietnamese (pdf)
how to fill out a california voter registration card (asl)
same day voter registration (conditional voter registration)
In elections conducted by your county elections official, you may “conditionally” register and vote at your county elections office after the 15-day voter registration deadline. For more information, go to Same Day Voter Registration.
college students and voters living abroad
If you’re a Californian living away from home while attending college, trade school, or technical school, or a voter temporarily living outside the United States, see College Students and Voters Living Overseas.
are you already registered to vote?
To find out if you are currently registered to vote, visit Check Your Voter Registration Status.
when to re-register to vote
re-register to vote when:
- change your residence address or mailing address,
- change your name, or
- change your choice of political party.
As a California voter, please note that local elections in some areas are held on dates that do not coincide with the dates of state elections. the 15-day registration deadline for these local elections varies depending on the actual date of the election. If you need to know a deadline for a local election, contact your county elections office or visit County Administered Elections.
california motorized voter
the california motorized voter program makes registering to vote with the department of motor vehicles (dmv) more convenient. Eligible applicants who complete a driver license, ID card, or change of address transaction online, by mail, or in person at the DMV will be automatically registered to vote by the California Secretary of State, unless they opt-in. for not participating in automatic voter registration. For more information, visit California’s Motor Voter
how to cancel my registration
If you are currently registered to vote in California and would like to cancel your voter registration, you can complete the California Voter Registration Cancellation Request Form (pdf) and submit it to your county elections office. If you have any questions, you can contact your county elections office or the secretary of state’s voter hotline at (800) 345-vote (8683).
California Voter Registration Cancellation Request Form (pdf)
- Spanish (pdf)
- Chinese (pdf)
- Hindi (pdf)
- Japanese (pdf)
- Khmer (pdf)
- Korean (pdf)
- Tagalog (pdf)
- Thai (pdf)
- Vietnamese (pdf)
voter registration drives
Anyone who distributes voter registration cards in California should be familiar with the rules and regulations for conducting voter registration drives.
voter registration statistics
The Secretary of State is responsible for producing a statistical report detailing voter registration numbers in California. to view these reports, go to voter registration statistics.
voting bill of rights
Use of your voter registration information for commercial purposes is prohibited by law. report any issues to the secretary of state’s voter hotline at (800) 345-vote (8683). For additional information about your voting rights, go to the Voters’ Bill of Rights.