One Week Remaining for Californians to Register to Vote in June 7, 2016 Presidential Primary

Secretary of State Alex Padilla encourages California citizens to register to vote by May 23

SACRAMENTO – May 23 is the deadline for eligible California citizens to register to vote for the first time or to update their voter registration information for the June 7, 2016 Presidential Primary Election.

"Californians have one more week to go until the May 23 voter registration deadline," Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. "Whether you're registering for the first time or you just need to update your registration information—it's quick and easy through RegisterToVote.ca.gov".

"You can use your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to register to vote in minutes. If you've moved, changed your name, or want to change your political party preference visit RegisterToVote.ca.gov by May 23."

Californians can check their voter registration status through their county elections office. Some counties have online tools that allow voters to check their voter registration. A full list of contact information for county elections officials and links to county online voter registration status tools is available on the Secretary of State’s website at: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/registration-status/

Closed vs. Modified-Closed Presidential Primaries

Qualified political parties are holding their presidential primaries in one of two ways:

Closed presidential primary, in which only voters registered with the party may vote that party’s presidential ballot. The Republican Party, Green Party, and Peace and Freedom Party are holding closed presidential primaries.

Modified-closed primary, in which the party also allows voters who registered with no party preference to request to receive and vote that party’s presidential ballot. The Democratic Party, American Independent Party, and Libertarian Party are allowing voters with no party preference to vote their June 7 presidential primary ballot. (A voter may not request more than one party’s presidential ballot.)

Voters who registered with a political party may only vote for a presidential candidate running in that party’s primary election.

Reminder: Voters, regardless of their political party preference, can vote for any candidate running in their district for the following races: U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, State Senate, and State Assembly.

Tips for voters registered with No Party Preference

Voters with no party preference who vote at the polls can request a Democratic Party, American Independent Party, or Libertarian Party ballot on Election Day from a poll worker.

Voters with no party preference who vote by mail were sent a post-card from their county elections office asking if the voter would like to receive a ballot with presidential candidates from the Democratic Party, American Independent Party, or Libertarian Party. Voters who did not return this post card will receive a non-partisan ballot without presidential candidates.

“There is still time for voters with no party preference to request a new ballot—even if they have already received a ballot in the mail,” Padilla said.

Q: I am a voter with no party preference, and I received a vote-by-mail ballot with no presidential candidates. What can I do to request a ballot with presidential candidates?

Contact your county elections office no later than May 31 to request a vote-by-mail ballot with presidential candidates from the Democratic Party, American Independent Party, or Libertarian Party. Click Here for County Elections Contact Information; OR

Bring your vote-by-mail ballot to the polls on Election Day and exchange it for a ballot with presidential candidates from the Democratic Party, American Independent Party, or Libertarian Party. If you have lost your original vote-by-mail ballot, you will have to vote a provisional ballot at the polls—your vote will still be counted; OR

Bring your vote-by-mail ballot to an early voting location in your county and exchange it for a ballot with presidential candidates from the Democratic Party, American Independent Party, or Libertarian Party. If you have lost your original vote-by-mail ballot, you will have to vote a provisional ballot at the polls—your vote will still be counted.NOTE: Contact your county elections office for early voting locations and availability Click Here for County Elections Contact Information

Q: How can a voter with no party preference cast a ballot for Republican Party, Green Party, or Peace and Freedom Party presidential candidates?

Voters registered with no party preference who would like to vote in the June 7 Presidential Primary for a Republican Party, Green Party, or Peace and Freedom Party presidential candidate must re-register to vote with one of those respective parties by May 23, 2016.