How do I register to vote or check my registration?

County Elections Office (county level) / California Secretary of State (state level)

Step by Step

How to do it

Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, California resident, at least 18 years old by Election Day, not serving a state or federal prison term for a felony conviction, and not found mentally incompetent by a court
Choose your registration method:
ONLINE: RegisterToVote.ca.gov - requires California driver's license or ID card number, last 4 digits of SSN, and date of birth; fastest method; automatic registration at 18th birthday
BY MAIL: Download form at sos.ca.gov; complete and mail to your County Elections Office - must be postmarked or delivered at least 15 days before Election Day
IN PERSON: Visit County Elections Office, DMV, public library, or many government agencies
AUTOMATIC: California automatically registers eligible citizens when they interact with the DMV - confirm and opt in/out at sos.ca.gov
Submit registration at least 15 days before Election Day
Receive voter registration card by mail confirming registration

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

California driver's license or ID card number (for online registration)
Last 4 digits of Social Security number
Date of birth

Fee

Free REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 15 days before Election Day (online, by mail postmarked, or in person) SAME-DAY REGISTRATION: YES - California offers Conditional Voter Registration (same-day registration) at County Elections offices, vote centers, and polling places through and including Election Day; ballot counted after registration is verified CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: voterstatus.sos.ca.gov VOTE BY MAIL: California is a universal vote-by-mail state - every registered voter automatically receives a mail ballot for every election; no excuse or application needed ONLINE OPTION: Yes - RegisterToVote.ca.gov WHERE TO GO: County Elections Office; DMV; public libraries; many government agencies

Online Option

Yes - RegisterToVote.ca.gov

Where to Go

County Elections Office; DMV; public libraries; many government agencies

County-specific variations apply

Voter registration administered at the county level by the County Elections Office. Each county also operates Vote Centers (large counties) where voters can register and vote on the same day. Moving within California? Update registration - voter registration follows the county of residence. Maricopa-equivalent: LA County is the largest election jurisdiction in the US.

California Notes

Important state-specific details

California is a UNIVERSAL VOTE-BY-MAIL state - every registered voter automatically receives a mail ballot; you do not need to request one. You can still vote in person if you prefer.
SAME-DAY REGISTRATION (Conditional Voter Registration): missed the 15-day deadline? Visit your County Elections Office or any vote center through Election Day; cast a provisional ballot that is counted once registration is verified.
AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION: California automatically registers eligible citizens through the DMV; opt out if desired at sos.ca.gov.
Felony conviction: voting rights are restored upon release from state or federal prison - those on parole or probation CAN vote in California.
Pre-registration available for 16-17 year olds - automatically becomes active registration at 18.
Photo ID is NOT required to vote in California - a wide range of documents (utility bills, bank statements, government documents) may be used for first-time voters who registered by mail without ID verification.
Polls open 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM on Election Day; anyone in line at closing must be allowed to vote.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

California Secretary of State, Elections Division - sos.ca.gov/elections | (800) 345-VOTE (8683); RegisterToVote.ca.gov