October 2026
Fall is More Than a Vibe.
There's something about fall in California. The light gets softer, the air finally cools off, and everyone starts making plans again. New routines. New goals. A little more energy after a long summer. Fall is when people reset and recharge.
This year, that energy has somewhere to go. National Voter Education Week (NVEW) lands October 5 - 9, 2026, right as that seasonal refresh kicks in, and we're not letting the timing go to waste.
National Voter Education Week is a nationwide, nonpartisan, push to close the gap between being registered and getting the resources you need to feel comfortable participating in the upcoming November 3, 2026, General Election.
Not everyone who's registered always feels confident about participating in elections. Maybe you have moved. Maybe you have never used a ballot drop box. Maybe you are not sure where your polling place or vote center is for this election. Feeling that confusion is normal, and it's exactly what this week is built to address.
Here’s a few ways you can show up during National Voter Education Week:
- Post a story or reel pointing people to vote.ca.gov to get everything you need to know for the upcoming election.
- Print a flyer from the Promote the Vote California Resource Guide and set it by the register or front desk in your office or community message board.
- Share information about some of the voting options available: drop box, in person, or by mail.
- Share our Quick Facts flyer for the November 3, 2026, General Election. It covers key dates and voting basics, and it's available in 10 languages.
Drop this information in a newsletter, pin it in a group chat, or post it on your social media channel. Small moves like this are what National Voter Education Week is built on.
Promote the Vote California partners with businesses, chambers, and organizations across the state to help close that gap. You have your community's trust. A "Register to Vote Here" button on your website, a post on your business's Instagram, or a two-minute conversation at a chamber mixer: that's how real voter education spreads. Not from the top down, but from the community out.
Need a little inspiration first? Our 30-second YouTube short shows what Promote the Vote California is all about. Fall is here. Let's make it count - and remember to vote early.
What to look forward to…
Some key dates to keep in mind as we move towards the November 3, 2026, General Election:
- October 5, 2026 – County elections offices will be begin mailing ballots
- October 6, 2026 – Ballot drop-off locations open
- October 19, 2026 – Last day to register to vote online
- October 24, 2026 – Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties
- November 3, 2026, Election Day – Ballots must be postmarked no later than November 3. If you are mailing on or near Election Day, be sure to get a hand-stamped postmark from a postal employee inside a United States Post Office.
Looking for more elections content? Check out our podcast.
This is Promote the Vote California, The Podcast is back with a powerful three-episode season featuring a diverse roundtable of experts in civic engagement, business leadership, and community organizing.
This season explores how democracy shows up in our everyday spaces—workplaces, businesses, and neighborhoods—and the vital role each plays in strengthening voter participation. Together, we’ll share practical strategies to push back against misinformation and build community trust.
Tune in. Stay Informed. Stay Vote-Ready. Subscribe.
Listen to seasons 1 and 2 available on 
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the California Secretary of State’s office.
