Elections Center
State Election Guide
California 2026 election calendar with upcoming election dates, voter registration deadlines, early voting, absentee voting, poll hours, and official sources.
Before You Vote
The polls shall be open at 7 a.m. of the day of any election, and shall be kept open until 8 p.m. of the same day, when the polls shall be closed, except as provided in Section 14401. Voting shall commence as soon as the polls are opened and shall be continued during the time the polls remain open.
Voter Information Lookup can help you check your voter registration status, check where you are registered to vote, and check your political party preference.
California's current statewide calendar includes California General Election 2026 on November 3, 2026. Local ballots may include additional races, questions, or measures.
The Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act, which took effect January 1, 2011, created "voter-nominated" offices. The Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act does not apply to candidates running for U.S. President, county central committees, or local offices.
Election Calendar
California General Election 2026
November General election is held the Tuesday after the first Monday of the month of November
Poll hours: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Official California General Election 2026 source
Early voting start times vary by county. In general, early voting starts 29 days before Election Day.
All vote by mail ballot drop-off locations shall be open at least during regular business hours beginning not less than 28 days before the day of the election.
Pick up a paper voter registration application at any Department of Motor Vehicles field office, and many post offices, public libraries, and government offices, or request one from your county elections office. To...
You must be registered to vote at least 15 days before Election Day.
Online registration deadline is 15 days before Election Day. If you are enrolled in California's confidential address program, Safe At Home, please do not apply to register to vote using the online option. Contact the...
Registration for new residents and new citizens shall be in progress beginning with the 14th day prior to an election.
Registration for new residents and new citizens shall be in progress beginning with the 14th day prior to an election and ending on the seventh day prior to election day. Otherwise, the deadline to register to vote is at...
Early voting end times vary by county. In general early voting ends on Election Day.
Same Day Voter Registration is available to Californians who miss the deadline to register to vote or update their voter registration information for an election. A new citizen is eligible to register and vote at the...
All vote by mail ballot drop-off locations shall be open during regular business hours on Election Day.
Election Day Rules
(a) If a voter does not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote at a statewide election, the voter may, without loss of pay, take off enough working time that, when added to the voting time available outside of working hours, will enable the voter to vote. (b) No more than two hours of the time taken off for voting shall be without loss of pay. The time off for voting shall be only at the beginning or end of the...
The address of your polling place is on the back page of the sample ballot booklet that your county elections official mailed to you.If you do not have the booklet, contact your county elections office, or call the Secretary of State's toll-free voter hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683).Even if your name is not on the voter list at the polling place, you have the right to vote with a provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot...
Voter ID: No document required to vote
Yes. California lists same-day or Election Day registration. Same Day Voter Registration is available to Californians who miss the deadline to register to vote or update their voter registration information for an election. A new citizen is eligible to register and vote at the office of, or at another location designated by, the county elections official at any time beginning on the 14th day before an election and ending at...