How to register to vote in California, and check your registration status
Ahead of the 2024 general election, NPR has collected deadlines and information on how to register to vote — online, in person or by mail — in California
apps.npr.orgTo register to vote in California (most recently relevant for the 2026 elections), you can do it online, by mail, or in person through your county elections office. Deadlines depend on the election you’re voting in, and after the main deadline some voters may be able to do a “conditional registration” so their ballot can be counted after verification.[2][7]
Register online
- Go to California’s election website (via the state’s voter registration system) to start or update your registration online.[7]
- You’ll typically need information like your ID details (e.g., California driver’s license/ID) and personal info as prompted by the online form.[8][2]
Register by mail
- Download the voter registration form from California’s election materials and mail it to your county elections office.[2][8]
- Make sure you follow the specific “postmarked by” deadline for the election you’re targeting.[2]
Register in person
- Register at your county elections office (or other eligible in-person locations listed by California for that election), and meet the in-person registration deadline.[7][2]
2026 key deadline example (June 2 primary)
For the June 2, 2026 primary election, one widely published set of deadlines is: online register by Monday, May 18, by-mail postmarked by Monday, May 18, and in-person register by Tuesday, June 2.[2]
Need to update registration?
If you moved or changed your name, you can update your registration using the same methods (online, by mail, or in person) through California’s election registration system.[7]
If you tell me your target election date (e.g., “June 2 primary” vs a November election), I can point you to the exact registration deadline for that specific election.