Voting in California on 3 November 2026: the dates that matter

The dates

• 5 October 2026 — county elections officials must have mailed a vote-by-mail ballot to every active registered voter.
• 14 October 2026 — last day to register online or by mail. After this, same-day conditional registration is available in person.
• 3 November 2026 — election day. Polls close at 8:00 PM Pacific.

Every California voter is mailed a ballot; you do not need a reason to vote by mail.

Four ways to return a ballot

• By mail. Postage is prepaid. It must be postmarked on or before election day and received within the statutory window.
• At a drop box. Your county lists locations and hours.
• At a vote centre or polling place. Bring the ballot or vote in person.
• In person on election day, including same-day conditional registration if you missed 14 October.

If you make a mistake, ask for a replacement rather than correcting the ballot. A ballot with ambiguous marks can be rejected.

If your ballot is challenged

Signature mismatch is the most common reason a mailed ballot is set aside, and it is fixable. Counties must notify you and give you a chance to cure it, in writing, before the count is certified. Track your own ballot through your county or the Secretary of State so you learn about a problem while there is still time.

What is on the ballot

There are 14 statewide propositions in addition to candidate contests.

Where the health angle is

Two procedural things matter more than any measure. First, a vote-by-mail ballot is a medical-access question for anyone who cannot easily stand in line — people recovering from surgery, people with mobility limits, caregivers. Second, if you are hospitalised close to election day, an emergency ballot can usually be requested through your county; ask early rather than assuming you have lost the vote.

Record current through 18 September 2026, 3:00 PM PT · general information, not legal or medical advice.