How Do I Register?
Learn more about registering to vote
To register to vote in California, you must be:
- A United States citizen
- A resident of California
- 18 years old or older on Election Day.
- Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony, and
- Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court, for more information please visit Secretary of State website Voting Rights in English, Voting Rights in Spanish.
- Voting in California-New Voter Information
A guide to Voting in California can be found on California Secretary of State website.
If you would like to register on-line, visit Online Voter Registration | California Secretary of State and complete the requested information.
ABOUT ADDRESSES
You must register to vote at the address where you live.
You must register to vote at the address where you live. You may have any mailing address you wish.
Your residence address entitles you to vote in a particular city, school district, special district, and state and federal legislative districts. PO Boxes and private mailboxes (PMBs) are not considered a domicile.
If you are unsheltered or homeless, you only need a description of where you live. If you do not have a street address, provide an exact description, including cross streets. If applicable, identify the corner or area where you live. For instance: “Northwest corner of 1st St and Pine St.”
Not sure about registering to vote online?
Watch the video! (includes ASL)
Qualifications to Pre-Register to Vote
Online pre-registration is now available for eligible 16- and 17-year-olds by visiting registertovote.ca.gov. California youth who pre-register to vote will have their registration become active once they turn 18 years old.
Pre-registration does not change the voting age, which is 18. Instead, it allows eligible Californians ages 16 or 17 to complete the online voter registration form providing sufficient time and opportunity to get ready to vote: Pre-Register English Flyer (PDF), Pre-Regisger Spanish Flyer (PDF), Pre-Register Chinese Flyer (PDF).
To pre-register to vote in California, you must:
- Be 16 or 17 years old, and
- A United States citizen and a resident of California
- Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court, for more information please visit: California Secretary of State Voting Rights- English , California Secretary of State Voting Rights-Spanish
- You will automatically be registered to vote on your 18th birthday.
You should re-register to vote if you:
- Move
- Change your name.
- Wish to change your political party.
- For more information on political parties, visit the Secretary of State’s website at Qualified Political Parties :: California Secretary of State
Call the Elections Division at (559) 675-7720 or toll free at (800)-435-0509 to report any changes to your mailing address.
You may also request that a voter registration form be mailed to you by calling the Elections Division at (559) 675-7720, toll free at (800)-435-0509 or e-mail us at [email protected].
Voters’ residence addresses, telephone numbers, and precinct numbers are confidential; however, all voter registration information is available for political, governmental, journalistic or education purposes.