Protect Our Voice at the Polls!
If you believe your voting rights have been violated or you witness irregularities on Election Day, immediately report the issue to the California Secretary of State’s office at 800-345-VOTE (800-345-8683).
Early Voting
Many places in California vote early, find out more for your location’s early voting policies here.
Missed the Voter Registration Deadline?
If you missed the voter registration deadline you can still cast a provisional ballot on Election Day. You can learn more about same-day voter registration here.
Voting FAQs
Q: How can I find my polling place?
A: Click here to find the voting centers nearest you and click here for early voting options.
Q: What are the hours at my polling place?
A: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Q: What if my work schedule does not allow me to get to my polling place during those hours?
A: By California law, you are eligible for paid time off to vote only if you don’t have enough time outside of working hours to vote. The intent of the law is to provide an opportunity to vote to workers who would not be able to do so because of their jobs. Employees can be given as much time as they need in order to vote, but only a maximum of two hours is paid. Employers may require employees to give advance notice that they will need additional time off for voting. Employers may require time off to be taken only at the beginning or end of the employee’s shift. Click here for more information.
Q: What if I can’t vote at my polling place? Can I vote at any polling location?
A: New voting centers allow you to access the ballot with your unique districts regardless of where you physically vote.
Q: If I’m registered to vote by mail and received a ballot already, can I still vote in person instead?
A: If you decide to vote at your polling place, you have two choices. You can surrender your vote-by-mail ballot in exchange for a regular ballot. Or you can deliver your completed, sealed, and signed Vote-by-Mail ballot in person to any polling place in that county no later than the close of polls at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. You can also deliver your completed, sealed, and signed Vote-by-Mail ballot in person to the county elections office that issued it. A voter who does not bring their vote-by-mail ballot has a right to vote using a provisional ballot. Finally, you may designate a third party to deliver the Vote-by-Mail ballot to the county elections office or the polling place. If you choose to mail your Vote-by-Mail ballot, be sure that it’s postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the county elections office that issued it no later than three days after Election Day.
Q: Can I bring union materials or other literature with endorsement information into the voting booth?
A: No, anything that provides voter recommendations is considered “electioneering” and cannot be brought into a polling place. Instead, gather your information and fill out your sample ballot at home. Then bring your sample ballot into the voting booth.
Q: I’ve heard you can vote early in person. Where can I vote early?
A: There are many options. You can vote in person early at your county registrar’s office. Click here for a statewide list. For other early voting and vote-by-mail ballot drop-off locations within the state of California, please click here.
Q: Do I have to show identification at my polling place?
A: Most of us are not required to show ID. However, under federal law, first-time voters who registered by mail may be required to show identification to vote. Poll workers may only ask a voter to provide their identification if the voter index clearly states that identification is required. Photo identification is not required, but is simply one of several acceptable forms of identification. Click here for a complete list of valid forms of identification. If you are required to provide identification but don’t have any acceptable form of identification with you, or if you choose not to provide identification, you are entitled to cast a provisional ballot (see below).
Q: Do I have a right to a “Provisional Ballot”
A: If you believe you’re registered to vote despite not being listed on the voter index, you may cast a provisional ballot and must be told how to find out if the ballot was ultimately counted, and if not, why not. Also, if you are listed as a vote-by-mail voter, but you don’t bring the vote-by-mail ballot to the polls on Election Day, you have a right to cast a provisional ballot.
Q: What if I make a mistake on my ballot?
You have the right to receive a new ballot if, prior to casting a ballot, you make a mistake marking your votes. A vote-by-mail voter may also request and receive a new ballot if you surrender the blank or spoiled vote-by-mail ballot to an elections official before the polls close on Election Day. However, a voter can only receive two replacement ballots. If you spoil your initial ballot, you’re only entitled to two more replacements and should exercise caution when casting your replacement ballot.
Q: What can I do to ensure our endorsed candidates win?
A: You can get involved in so many ways!
- Participate in our voter outreach efforts!
- Encourage your friends and family who live in these districts to vote!
- Contribute to our Caregivers Action Fund (CAF/COPE)
Q: How do I register to vote?
A: If you are not currently registered, now is the time to do it! Click here to register today! And be sure to register as a “Vote-by-Mail” voter and never miss an election! You’ll be asked as part of the registration process:
Click here to learn more about why becoming a “Permanent Absentee Voter” (Vote-by-Mail) is so important!
Q: What’s the deadline to register to vote?
A: In California, voter registration is open until 15 days before the election. Click here to register.