Voting is one of our most important civic responsibilities, as well as one of our most cherished rights! That’s why California wrote a Voter Bill of Rights, which guarantees:
The right to vote if you are a registered voter. To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age or older, register where you live, and not currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony.
Have a prior felony conviction? You’re likely eligible to vote, click here to check!
The right to vote if you are a registered voter even if your name is not on the list. You will vote using a provisional ballot. Your vote will be counted if elections officials determine that you are eligible to vote.
The right to vote if you are still in line when the polls close. This is incredibly important to know! Poll workers cannot make you leave the line if you entered it before polls close at 8 pm.
The right to cast a secret ballot without anyone bothering you or telling you how to vote. That means you can enter the voting booth alone, and no one can tell you how to vote, including spouses, family members, or poll workers.
The right to get a new ballot if you have made a mistake, if you have not already cast your ballot.
The right to get help casting your ballot from anyone you choose, except from your employer or union representative. Poll workers cannot make a companion leave your voting booth if you choose to have them with you.
The right to drop off your completed vote-by-mail ballot at any polling place in California. It doesn’t matter if you live in Los Angeles and want to drop your ballot at a polling place in San Francisco – they have to accept it!
The right to get election materials in a language other than English if enough people in your voting precinct speak that language.
The right to ask questions to election officials about election procedures and watch the election process. If the person you ask cannot answer your questions, they must send you to the right person for an answer. If you are disruptive, they can stop answering you.
The right to report any illegal or fraudulent election activity to an elections official or the Secretary of State’s office.
How can I register to vote in California?
If you want your ballot mailed to you or to vote in person without a provisional ballot, you must register to vote by October 21, 2024. There are a few ways you can do that!
- Look up, and click on our Voter Tools tab! Courage California Institute’s Voter Tools section allows you to verify your voter registration status, register to vote, and sign up for our election email reminders program – all in one place.
- Use the State of California’s voter registration website. Click here to get started.
- You can also request a paper voter registration application be mailed to you, by calling (800) 345-VOTE(8683). Learn more.
- Your county election office will allow you to register in person. Find your office here.
If you don’t meet the October 21 deadline, you can still vote! California has same-day voter registration you can complete at certain early voting locations – find one here.
What do I need in order to register to vote in California?
You must be a citizen and resident of California to register, so you need the following:
- Your California driver’s license or state ID card
- Your social security number
- Your date of birth
I received my ballot in the mail. What do I do now?
In 2021, California passed legislation making universal distribution of vote-by-mail ballots permanent, meaning that every registered voter gets a ballot in the mail.
Not only that, but the ballots come with a prepaid First Class envelope, so you don’t even need a stamp!
Once you get your ballot, you can mail it any time before the election, but it must be postmarked by Election Day. You just need to fill out the ballot, put the required information on the envelope, and drop it in a mailbox. You can also return it at any polling place or drop box.
You can also vote in person instead.
What dates do I need to know?
Election Day this year is November 5, 2024.
Register to vote by October 21, 2024!
Ballots are mailed out by local election boards until October 26. If you don’t receive one, you need to vote in person.
Early voting varies by location, so you can find your closest voting place here, and download our California Know Your Vote Voter Resource to learn about what is on your California ballot, including statewide propositions.
Make sure your mailed-in ballot goes in a box before Election Day!