Voting in California, November 3, 2026

Key dates

1. Oct5Mon
   Next

   Early voting begins

   Monday, October 5, 2026

   Voter's Choice Act counties open vote centers on Saturday, October 24, and in-person early voting locations are open statewide on Saturday, October 31. Days, hours, and locations vary by county, and you can also vote in person on Election Day.

   Source: California Secretary of State: Key Dates and Deadlines, November 3, 2026 General Election

2. Oct19Mon

   Voter registration deadline

   Monday, October 19, 2026

   After that, you can still register and vote the same day (conditional voter registration) at your county elections office, a vote center, or a polling place through Election Day.

   Source: California Secretary of State: Key Dates and Deadlines, November 3, 2026 General Election

3. Nov3Tue

   Mail ballot postmark deadline

   Tuesday, November 3, 2026

   Every active registered voter is mailed a ballot. A mailed ballot must also reach your county elections office by Tuesday, November 10, 2026; ballots dropped off in person or at a drop box are due by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

   Source: California Secretary of State: Make a Plan to Vote, November 3, 2026 General Election

4. Nov3Tue

   Election Day poll hours

   Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

   Pacific time. If you are in line when the polls close, you can still vote.

   Source: California Secretary of State: Key Dates and Deadlines, November 3, 2026 General Election

Official links

• Register or update your registrationregistertovote.ca.gov
• Check your registrationvoterstatus.sos.ca.gov
• Find your polling placesos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place
• Early voting and ballot drop-off locationscaearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov
• Voting by mailsos.ca.gov
• County elections officessos.ca.gov
• Track your ballot (Where's My Ballot?)wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov
• California Secretary of State elections pagesos.ca.gov/elections
• Federal voter informationvote.gov