It’s National Voter Registration Day, and in order to vote in the general election on Nov. 5, it’s important to remember that the voter registration deadline in California is Oct. 21.
Below is a guide to help you navigate the voter registration process.
Who can vote?
Californians must be U.S. citizens who are 18 years old on or before Election Day to be able to register to vote. If you’re 16 or 17 years old, you can pre-register to vote. You’ll be automatically registered once you turn 18.
Residents of California with a criminal history can vote. Incarcerated people can vote if they’re in county jail awaiting trial, serving a misdemeanor sentence, or as a condition of probation, according to CalMatters. A misdemeanor never affects your right to vote.
People who are unhoused can also vote. As LAist notes, state laws and judicial rulings support the right of a person experiencing homelessness to register to vote. The process can be challenging. Here is LAist’s FAQ to learn more about registering when unhoused.
Who can’t vote?
Californians who are undocumented or who are legal permanent residents cannot register to vote in federal elections. However, some local municipalities, like San Francisco, allow certain non-citizens to vote in local races.
There are people with a criminal history who cannot vote. That includes those who are serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony.
Among those who cannot register to vote are people found mentally incompetent by a court. According to the California Secretary of State, “a court is the only entity that can revoke someone’s right to vote, and the court must make a specific finding to do so, apart from assigning someone a conservator.”
How do I register to vote?
Californians must be registered to vote 15 days before Election Day. Registration must be postmarked by Oct. 21.
To register online, you can visit registertovote.ca.gov. On the online California voter registration page, you can register in several languages: Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese.
Once you click on ‘Register to Vote Now,’ you will be prompted to a list of questions answering to your eligibility, including if you are a U.S. citizen and if you are 18 years old. You’ll have to include your birthdate, California driver’s license or state identification card number.
Can I register in person?
Yes. You can request a paper application at your county elections office, local library, DMV, or U.S. postal office. You can also have an application mailed to you by calling the Secretary of State’s Vote Hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683) or by emailing the Elections Division staff. Voter hotlines are available in different languages.
What is same day voter registration?
It’s a safety net for Californians who miss the registration dates or need to update their voter registration info.
If you missed the deadline — in most elections — you may conditionally register to vote and cast a provisional ballot by visiting your county elections office, a vote center, or a designated satellite location 14 days prior to, and including on, Election Day, according to the California Secretary of State.
Your registration becomes permanent and your provisional ballot will be counted once the county elections official determines your eligibility and validates your information. For more information, visit same day voter registration.
How do I register as a new U.S. citizen?
As all U.S. citizens, you must register at least 15 days before Election Day to be eligible to vote. After being sworn in as a U.S. citizen, voting registration forms may be distributed at your naturalization ceremony.
However, if you happen to become a U.S. citizen after the registration deadline, you can still register and vote by going to your county elections office, according to “A New Citizens Guide to Voting,” prepared by the California Secretary of State. You must give the county elections office proof of citizenship and declare that you have established residency in California.
