2026 California Student Mock Election FAQs (PDF)
When will the 2026 California Student Mock Election take place?
The 2026 California Student Mock Election will take place on Tuesday, October 6.
What’s new in 2026?
We have a short video that will guide you through the steps necessary to participate in the mock election. This helpful resource will be available on our Getting Started page in Spring 2026.
The 2026 Student Mock Election will once again offer two electronic voting options. This year, we will be using Microsoft Forms for electronic voting and will again offer interactive PDF ballots. Electronic ballots and instructions for electronic voting will be emailed to schools that opt for an electronic supply kit when they register.
Who can participate in the Student Mock Election?
The 2026 California Student Mock Election is open to all middle and high schools in the state of California. Other school-affiliated or educational organizations have also participated in past Student Mock Elections. If your organization is interested in participating in the 2026 event, please contact MyVote@sos.ca.gov for more information.
How do students participate in the Student Mock Election?
Students must be enrolled at a registered school to participate in the Student Mock Election. If you are unsure whether or not your school plans to participate in the Student Mock Election, we encourage you to share the Student Flyer located on our Getting Started page with your principal or favorite teachers and encourage them to register your school.
How do schools sign up for the Student Mock Election?
Schools must register online for the Student Mock Election. Registration will be available beginning April 13, 2026.
Each school must select a Student Mock Election Coordinator who will be the point of contact for information and materials related to the Student Mock Election. Schools will also be asked to provide the total population of their school, the estimated number of participating students, as well as to indicate whether their school will conduct their voting with electronic or paper ballots.
My school registered for a previous Student Mock Election. Does the school have to register again?
Yes. Schools must register for each Student Mock Election and designate a coordinator for that mock election.
Is there a deadline to register for the Student Mock Election?
There are two important deadlines for the Student Mock Election.
September 9, 2026, is the last day to register and receive mock election supplies by mail. Each school that registers by September 9 will receive a welcome packet that contains an informational letter, “Save the Date” posters, “I Voted” stickers and High School Poll Worker recruitment flyers.
Schools that register by September 9 and choose the paper ballot option will receive a supply kit in the mail that contains mock election ballots, Student Voter Information Guides, instructions on how to tabulate and report election results and a School Vote Report Form.
September 30, 2026, is the last day to register for the Student Mock Election.
When will we receive our Student Mock Election materials?
For schools that register by September 9, 2026:
- Upon registration, a welcome packet containing an informational letter, Save the Date posters, I Voted stickers, and High School Poll Worker recruitment flyers will be mailed to the school.
- Mid-September we will begin mailing paper supply kits to schools that requested them. Paper supply kits include mock election ballots, Student Voter Information Guides, instructions on how to tabulate and report election results and a School Vote Report Form.
- Schools that register after September 9 will receive an email containing instructions and materials that will allow them to conduct their mock election electronically. It will also contain links to our website that will allow them to download and print mock election materials if they prefer to conduct their mock election using paper materials.
How does Student Mock Election voting take place?
Schools can conduct their voting electronically or in person. If you are conducting voting in person, you can set up polling locations on campus or have students vote in their classrooms. If you want to conduct your voting electronically, the Secretary of State’s Student Mock Election team will provide both a MIcrosoft Forms and an interactive PDF version of the ballot along with voting instructions.
Whether you conduct your voting electronically or in person, vote tallies must be submitted to your Student Mock Election Coordinator, who will enter the school-wide total on the Student Mock Election website. For more ideas about how to make the voting experience educational and engaging for your students, visit Ideas for Your Mock Election.
How do schools report their Student Mock Election voting results?
Schools may use the School Vote Report Form to tabulate their school-wide voting results at the conclusion of their mock election. If voting is taking place in classrooms, schools are welcome to create their own classroom reporting forms or distribute copies of the School Vote Report Form for each teacher. However, results will need to be combined into campus-wide totals before they are submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office. The School Vote Report Form is available on our Tools for Success page.
Once the school-wide results have been tallied, the Student Mock Election Coordinator will need to log on to their account and enter the results. For more details, please visit “Instructions for Tabulating and Reporting Election Results on our Tools for Success page".
What if my school can’t vote on Tuesday, October 6?
Early voting will be available for the Student Mock Election beginning on September 29, 2026. Schools may begin reporting their results on this date by logging in to their account on the Student Mock Election website.
When will the results of the Student Mock Election be announced?
Preliminary California Student Mock Election results will be posted to the Student Mock Election website beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Mock Election Day: Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The final results will be announced on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
What issues will students vote on in the Student Mock Election?
During the 2026 California Student Mock Election, students will be able to cast their vote for the Governor of California, U.S. Senator, and ballot measures that have been placed on the November 3, 2026, General Election ballot.
How can I learn more about the candidates and ballot propositions for the Student Mock Election?
You can read about the candidates and measures that will appear on the ballot in our Student Mock Election Voter Information Guide, which will be available in September 2026.
