California Voter Deadlines
California Announces Key Voter Deadlines for the Upcoming 2026 General Election
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Missing the 2026 California primary is not the end of the road. Every registered voter can still cast a ballot in the November 3 General Election — no primary participation required, according to Sacramento Bee.
The California Secretary of State's office has laid out a clear set of deadlines for the general election. The most critical date: October 19, the last day to register to vote. After that, early voting opens, and November 3 is the final day to cast a ballot.
October 19 Is the Last Chance to Register
Voters who are not yet registered must sign up by October 19 to get a standard ballot, Sacramento Bee reports. Registration can be done online or by mail. Missing this deadline means missing the general election entirely.
Californians can check their voter registration status starting August 27 using the state's "My Voter Status" tool online. That same day, the Secretary of State posts the certified list of candidates for the November ballot. The official Voter Information Guide goes online one week later, on September 4.
Vote-by-Mail Ballots Go Out in Early October
All active registered voters will get a vote-by-mail ballot starting October 5. Secure drop-off locations open the next day, October 6. Voters do not have to use the mail — they can drop off their ballot at any official drop-off site.
The last day to return a vote-by-mail ballot is November 3. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day to count, according to Sacramento Bee. That gives voters nearly a full month to fill out and return their ballot after it arrives.
Early In-Person Voting Opens Two Weeks Before Election Day
Early voting centers open on October 24 in counties that use the Voter's Choice Act system. Then on October 31 — three days before Election Day — early voting locations open statewide for a final weekend push, Fresno Bee reports.
On November 3, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone in line by 8 p.m. can still vote. California has over 23 million registered voters, but primary turnout this cycle was just 15.1%, making the general election a critical moment for civic participation.
Primary Voters and New Voters Both Welcome in November
California's general election is open to all registered voters. You do not have to have voted in the June 2 primary. This is a key feature of the state's election system, San Luis Obispo Tribune notes — the primary and general are separate opportunities.
The state uses a "Top-Two" primary system. That means the two candidates with the most primary votes — regardless of party — face off in November. Every registered voter, whether they voted in June or not, gets a say in that final contest.
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