PRESS RELEASE

PR26-63
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2026
Contact: sospress@sos.ca.gov
 

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Reminds Eligible Voters Who Missed the Traditional Registration Deadline that They Still Have the Opportunity to Register to Vote & Vote
 

Sacramento, Calif. – California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., reminds eligible voters who missed the May 18, 2026, deadline to register online to vote, or update their voter registration online, for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election, that they can participate in “Same Day” or “Conditional” voter registration and cast a ballot by visiting their county elections office or any vote center or polling place in their county of residence and registering and voting today through Election Day, June 2, 2026. 

“California has one of the most voter-friendly systems in the country—even if you missed the deadline to register online to vote, you have options," noted Secretary Weber. “Don’t sit out this election—your vote is your voice and you can still be heard.” 

"Same Day” or “Conditional” Voter Registration after May 18, 2026: 

Eligible California citizens who miss the May 18, 2026, deadline to register or update their voter registration online have the option to participate in the “Same Day” or “Conditional” voter registration process at their local county elections office or any in-person voting location in their county. Californians who participate in “Same Day" or “Conditional” registration will be asked to fill out a voter registration form and will be provided a ballot. These ballots will be counted once the county office has completed the voter registration verification process. 

Voters can complete the “Same Day” or “Conditional” voter registration process all the way through Election Day, June 2, 2026. Questions about the same day voter registration process should be directed to an eligible voter’s county elections office. 

Voting Options 

There are many options for voters to return their ballot. Voters can:

  • -Drop off their ballot at a secure designated drop box, polling location, voter center, or county elections office. 
    -Mail in their ballot. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, June 2, 2026. If mailing a vote-by-mail ballot, it is recommended that voters mail their ballots early because some postal service locations may not postmark ballots/mail until the following day. If a voter mails their ballot on Election Day, the Office of the Secretary of State recommends that voters get a manual postmark from a postal employee inside their local United States Post Office. 
  • -Vote in-person. 

Voters can identify their voting options by entering their county or zip code into a tool available on the California Secretary of State’s website: caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/. 

In addition, voters can track their ballot by signing up at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov to automatically receive text, email, or voice status alerts, including that their ballot has been received, counted, or needs to be corrected before their ballot can be counted. 

Information about county elections offices can be found at sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices. 

Upcoming California key dates and deadlines for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election can be found at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026/key-dates-and-deadlines.

A full California Complete June 2, 2026, Primary Election Calendar is available at https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/statewide-elections/2026-primary/primary-election-calendar.pdf. 

 ###