California is proud to offer voters secure, accessible, and transparent elections. Each active registered voter will receive a vote-by-mail ballot, allowing them to vote safely and conveniently. You may return your ballot at an official ballot drop box, by voting in person at a voting location, or by returning it via the United States Postal Service. Early voting opportunities are available in many communities, and Election Day remains an option for those who prefer to vote in person.
Dates to Remember!
May 4 - County elections officials will begin mailing ballots on or before this date.
May 4 – June 2 - Voting period to return ballot.
May 5 - Secure ballot drop boxes open.
May 18 - Last day to register to vote. Same day voter registration is available at your county elections office or voting location after the voter registration deadline, up to and including Election Day.
May 23 - First day vote centers open in Voter's Choice Act counties for early in-person voting.
May 30 - In-person early voting locations throughout California will be open on Saturday, May 30. Visit caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov to find locations and voting hours.
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - Last day to vote in-person or return a ballot by 8:00 p.m. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Return your ballot as soon as you receive it. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked no later than June 2.
June 9 - Last day counties can receive vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day.
June 24 - Last day to correct ballot envelope signature issues by 5:00 p.m.
Don't Delay! Vote Today!
Make your voice heard early. You can vote your ballot as soon as you receive it. Follow these five easy steps to exercise your right to vote:
Complete it. Mark your choices on your ballot.
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Seal it. Secure your ballot inside the ballot return envelope you received from your county elections office.
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Sign it. Sign the outside of your ballot return envelope.
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Return it. By drop box, in person or by mail.
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Track it. Sign up at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov to receive updates on the status of your ballot.
How Can I Return My Ballot?
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You have options! You can return your ballot by any of the following ways:
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By drop box: You may personally deliver your ballot to any polling or ballot drop-off location in California by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
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In person: Polling locations are established by county elections officials and are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, June 2, 2026. To find a location to vote early before Election Day, visit caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov.
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By mail: Return your ballot by mail as soon as you receive it. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received not later than 7 days after Election Day. To ensure your ballot is postmarked by Election Day make sure to mail it at least five days before Election Day, June 2, 2026. If mailing on Election Day, get a hand-stamped postmark from a postal employee inside a United States Post Office.
How to Request a Replacement Ballot
May 26, 2026 - Recommended deadline to request a replacement ballot
If you did not receive your ballot in the mail, or your original ballot was lost or damaged, you may apply for a replacement ballot. The replacement ballot application can be found at https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/vote-by-mail/pdf/replacement-application.pdf.
You may also request a replacement ballot from your county elections office by phone, email, fax, or other electronic means.
What's on the Ballot?
If you are a registered voter, you will receive two voter information guides by mail:
- Your State Voter Information Guide (VIG) contains information about when and where to cast your ballot, statewide candidates, and your rights as a California voter. The State Voter Information Guide is only mailed prior to a statewide election.
- Your County Voter Information Guide contains a sample of your ballot and information about local candidates and ballot measures, and, for some counties, the location of your polling place. A County Voter Information Guide is sent prior to statewide and local elections.
Assistance for Voters with Disabilities
Curbside voting
Allows you to park as close as possible to the voting area. Elections officials will bring you a roster to sign, a ballot, and any other voting materials you may need, whether you are actually at a curb or in a car. All polling places and vote centers are required to be accessible to voters with disabilities and will have accessible voting machines.
Voting at Home
Remote accessible vote-by-mail (RAVBM) systems provide an accessible option for voters with disabilities to receive their ballots at home and mark them independently and privately before sending them back to their elections official. Contact your county elections official for more information.
For more information about voter registration, voting, and upcoming elections, explore the full Elections Division website
