California

Election Guide: What to Know and Where to Vote

Voters throughout California will cast ballots Tuesday in the midterm elections

By Jonathan Lloyd • •

What to Know

  • Polls will be open Tuesday Nov. 6 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • As long as you're in line before 8 p.m., you can still vote
  • Eleven statewide propositions will be part of this fall's ballot

California voters will cast ballots for statewide offices, including the race for governor, and other contests Tuesday in the midterm elections.

Below, you'll find election day resources, including links to county elections offices and helpful tools to find your polling place.

Polls will be open Tuesday Nov. 6 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

 
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Register to Vote

The voter registration deadline in California is 15 days before Election Day, so registration for the November election needed to be postmarked or submitted electronically no later than Oct. 22. You can still register for the next election or "conditionally" register at a county elections office or vote center. The ballots will be processed once the county elections office completes voter verification.

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What If I Just Moved?

If you already updated your address with the Department of Motor Vehicles or US Postal Service, your registration will automatically update. If not, click here to register.

Umm, I'm Not Even Sure I'm Registered

It's ok, the California Secretary of State has you covered. Just click here to check on your voter status. 

Find Your Polling Place

Click on the link to your county elections office below to find your polling place.

Early Voting Turnout: 2018 vs. 2014

Just one day before Election Day, 2018 early voting numbers in 27 states have already surpassed early voting in the previous midterm elections, according to data collected by Michael McDonald of the United States Elections Project. Early ballots submitted for six states doubled compared to ballots submitted for 2014.

Click on each state to see the number of early votes cast there so far. Some states may not have data for both years.

Data: Michael McDonald, United States Elections Project
Last updated Nov 5, 2:00 p.m. GMT

What If My Name Isn't on the Official Polling Place List?

Voters who believe they've registered, but arrive at a polling place only to find they're not on the official voter registration list can cast a provisional ballot.  The same is true for vote-by-mail voters who did not receive a ballot or forgot to bring it to the polling place. Provisional ballots go into a special envelope, and they're counted after it's confirmed that you're registered to vote.

Find out how to check your provisional vote's status here. 

What If I Changed My Name?

You'll need to re-register. Ideally, you'd first update your California driver's license or ID with the DMV. 

Ballot 101: What is California's November Election All About?

California had an Open Primary in June, which means candidates for an office from all parties, plus "No Party Preference" candidates, ran against one another in one race. Now, the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, square off in the General Election in November. The ballot will include state offices, Congressional contests, local and statewide measures and other races. 

AP/Jonathan Lloyd/Facebook
A look at the candidates running for state office in California in 2018.
Stratford Police Department
This combination of March 8, 2018 photos shows Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (left) and John Cox in Sacramento. California's race for governor pits Newsom, a Democrat and former San Francisco mayor, against Republican businessman John Cox. They are vying to replace outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown, who held office from 1975-1983 and again starting in 2011.
AP/RicardoLara.com
New ground will be broken no matter who wins between Republican-turned-independent Steve Poizner (left) and Democratic Sen. Ricardo Lara. Poizner, a former insurance commissioner, would be the first independent to win such an election and Lara would be the first openly gay statewide officeholder. The Department of Insurance enforces insurance laws, licenses and regulates companies and investigates fraud.
Mark Meuser, Facebook/AP
Democratic Secretary of State Alex Padilla (right) is seeking re-election against Republican attorney Mark Meuser. Padilla emphasizes his record of sparring with President Donald Trump and often denounces the president's unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud in California. Padilla also refused to comply with the Trump administration's requests to provide data on California voters, arguing it was politically motivated. Meuser is running on a platform of purging voter rolls of people who have moved or died and conducting audits to ensure ineligible people aren't registered to vote. At the same time he promises to increase the number of voters in the state by making sure residents know the easiest ways to register. He also wants to make it easier for California's military members to vote while deployed out of state.
Betty Yee, Facebook/Konstantinos Roditis, Facebook
Democrat Betty Yee (left) faces Republican Konstantinos Roditis in her re-election campaign. The controller serves as the state's top accountant, audits various state programs and sits on several state boards and the State Lands Commission. Roditis says he would advocate cutting government spending and auditing high-speed rail, a project Republicans frequently criticize because of rising costs. Yee says she has promoted tax policies that are equitable for vulnerable populations, including people living in poverty and LGBT people.
Steven Bailey, Facebook/Xavier Becerra, Facebook
Republican Steven Bailey (left) faces incumbent Democrat Xavier Becerra in the race for the state's top law officer. Bailey is a retired California Superior Court judge. Becerra was appointed attorney general in 2017 after serving as the House House Democratic Caucus chairman.

Statewide Ballot Propositions

Voters will decide on 11 statewide ballot propositions. Click here for details on each issue.

Something Didn't Seem Right at the Polling Place

Do you know about California's Voter Bill of Rights? If you feel like your right to vote was violated or any of those conditions were not met, you can contact the Secretary of State.

  • Online: Click here
  • Phone: 800-345-8683
  • Email: elections@sos.ca.gov

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