How can you change the future? Register to vote!
Who Can Vote
You have the right to vote if you are a registered voter. You are eligible to vote if you are:
- a U.S. citizen living in California
- at least 18 years old
- registered where you currently live
- not currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony
- not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court
If you are a person with a prior felony conviction, find out if you are eligible to register to vote in California by using the state Voting Rights Restored tool.
You need to re-register to vote when:
- You change your residence address or mailing address,
- You change your name, or
- You change your political party choice.
How to Register to Vote
Register Online
You can register online by filling out this form on the California Secretary of State’s website.
When you register online, the system will search the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) database for your California driver license or identification card number, date of birth, and last four digits of your social security number.
- If your information is found and you authorize elections officials’ use of your DMV signature, an electronic image of your DMV signature will be added to your voter registration application after you click “submit” at the end of the online application.
- If there is no signature on file with DMV, all of your information will be transmitted to your county elections office; you will just need to click “print,” sign the paper application, and mail it. Your county elections official will contact you when your voter registration application is approved or if more information is needed to confirm your eligibility.
Register While You Visit the DMV
The California Motor Voter program is making registering to vote at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) more convenient. Eligible applicants completing a driver license, identification (ID) card or change of address transaction online, by mail or in person at the DMV will be automatically registered to vote by the California Secretary of State, unless they choose to opt out of automatic voter registration.
Register by Mail
If you would like to mail in a paper voter registration application, you can pick up a paper application at your county elections office, any Department of Motor Vehicles, and many post offices, public libraries, and government offices.
It is important that your voter registration application be filled out completely and be postmarked or hand-delivered to your county elections office at least 15 days before the election.
If you can’t get to one of these places and would like a paper voter registration application mailed to you, please call (800) 345-VOTE(8683) or email the California Secretary of State’s Elections Division staff.
Missed the Deadline to Register?
To vote in an upcoming election, you need to register at least 15 days before that election. If you missed the deadline to register/update your registration information for an upcoming election, you can use Same Day Voter Registration (also known as Conditional Voter Registration).
Once your county elections official processes your affidavit of registration, determines your eligibility to register, and validates your information, your registration becomes permanent and your provisional ballot will be counted.
Pre-register if You Are 16 or 17
California youth who pre-register to vote will have their registration become active once they turn 18 years old. Fill in this form to pre-register.