Voting laws in California
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Each state has its own series of election laws. The separation of powers clause in the constitution has largely placed the responsibility for conducting on state governments. Each state has its own election law enforcement agencies, oftentimes part of the executive branch, sometimes a part of the state judiciary. The following are basic guidelines for voting in California. Note: Before taking any action, or if you have any questions, contact your state election agency.
Polling Place Hours
Hours: 7:00am to 8:00pm
Voter Registration Information
Registration Deadlines
15 days before an election
Identification Required for Registration
When registering to vote, you must provide your California driver's license or state identification card number or the last four digits of your social security number. If you have none of the above, the state will assign you a number that will serve to identify you for voter registration purposes only.
How to Check Registration
Contact your County Elections Official.
Voting Information
Identification Required to Vote
A first-time voter who registers and did not provide identification with their application may need to show ID at the polls. To be safe, bring your California driver's license or another photo ID.
How to Find Your Polling Place
Check online.
Your polling place location will be printed on the Sample Ballot received from the local county elections official prior to an election. You may also contact the local county elections office for polling place information.
Absentee Voting
Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot. You use one of the following methods to vote absentee:
- Applying in writing to your County Elections Official.
- Completing the absentee ballot application that is included in your sample ballot, which your county elections official will mail to you prior to each election
- Downloading and completing an absentee ballot application on-line.
Elections officials process applications 29 days to 7 days before an election. You may request an absentee ballot more than 29 days before an election, but not fewer than 7 days in advance.
Absentee ballots must be received by the elections official no later than the close of polls (8:00 pm) on Election Day. You may return your absentee ballot by returning it in person or by mail to your county election official or in person to any polling place in your county or by end of polls closing on Election Day.
Early Voting
Early voting is available for all registered voters starting 29 days before the election. Please check for times and locations with your County Elections Official.
Information For People who have Moved or Changed Addresses
You will need to re-register to vote when:
- You move
- You change your name
- You change your political party choice
Information for People with Felony Convictions
An ex-felon can register to vote and vote if he/she is not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction.
See also
- Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002
- State by State Provisional Ballot Laws
- State by State Voter ID Laws
- Recount laws in Alaska
- Felon vote fraud
- California election agencies
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