Don't Delay, Vote Today!

All California voters will be mailed a ballot with a prepaid postage return envelope for the November 3, 2026, General Election. County elections officials will begin sending ballots no later than October 5, 2026.

Make your voice heard early. You can vote your ballot as soon as you receive it in the mail.

Democracy is counting on you! Follow these five easy steps to exercise your right to vote:

  • Complete it.

  • Mark your choices on your ballot.

  • Seal it.

  • Secure your ballot inside the ballot return envelope you received from your county elections office.

  • Sign it.

  • Sign the outside of your ballot return envelope.
  • Make sure your signature matches the one on your CA driver’s license/state ID, or the one you provided when registering to vote. Your county elections office will compare them before they count your ballot.

  • Return it.

  • By drop box—Drop off your completed ballot in the return envelope at a secure official drop box in your county at any time between October 6 through the close of polls on November 3.
  • In person—Drop your completed ballot in the return envelope off at a secure drop box, polling place, vote center, or county elections office by 8:00 p.m. on November 3. Voting locations will be available in all counties before Election Day. Voting locations offer voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines, and language assistance.
  • By mail—Mail your ballot back as soon as possible after you receive it. To be counted, your ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day. We recommend mailing it at least 7 days before Election Day. If you mail it closer to Election Day, take it to a United States Post Office and ask a postal employee for a manual postmark.

  • Track it.

  • Sign up at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov to receive updates on the status of your ballot by text message (SMS), email, or voice call.

Back to top Back to the Top