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2026 Elections
How to Vote in California: 2028 Deadlines, Early Voting & Poll Hours
Everything you need to vote in California for the November 7, 2028 general election — when to register, when early voting opens, how to vote by mail, and when polls close.
Rules as of September 17, 2026 · verify at California's official election site
Election Day
November 7, 2028
Quick Answer
- Register By
- 15 days before Election Day
- Early Voting
- Opens ≈ Oct 5, 2026
- Mail Ballot Request By
- Not needed — every voter is mailed a ballot automatically
- Polls Close
- 8 p.m. PT
- Election Day
- November 7, 2028
Build your California voting plan
Choose how you plan to vote and we'll narrow the checklist below to the steps and dates that apply to you.
- 1
Register to vote online
15 days before Election Day Conditional same-day registration runs from 14 days out through Election Day.
Official source →See rule
- 2
Register to vote by mail
15 days before Election Day Conditional same-day registration runs from 14 days out through Election Day.
Official source →See rule
- 3
Same-day registration
Same-day registration is available during early voting and on Election Day.
Official source →Nov 7, 2028
- 4
Early voting opens
29 days before Election Day Every active voter is mailed a ballot; in-person options vary by county.
Official source →See rule
- 5
See rule
- 6
Nov 7, 2028
What's on Your California Ballot
Every U.S. House seat is up for election every two years. Whether a U.S. Senate seat is also on the ballot depends on the state.
U.S. House of Representatives
All of California's U.S. House seats are on the 2028 ballot. View California's current delegation →
U.S. Senate
Not this cycleCalifornia has no U.S. Senate race in 2028. Senate seats rotate on a six-year cycle across three classes. Learn how Senate classes work →
California Supreme Court
On the ballot2 seats are on the 2028 ballot. Local judges may be on your ballot too. See the candidates and how California chooses judges →
To see every race you will vote on — including judges and local measures — check your sample ballot from your county or local election office, starting at California's official election site.
Find your California representative and senators
Enter your address to see exactly who represents you before you vote.
Voter Registration in California
To vote in the November 7, 2028 general election, register by 15 days before Election Day.
California also allows same-day registration during early voting and on Election Day.
Conditional same-day registration runs from 14 days out through Election Day.
Dates marked ≈ are computed from state statute and can shift with county practice. Confirm your exact deadline and check your registration status at California's official site.
Early Voting in California
Early voting opens ≈ October 5, 2026 — 29 days before Election Day. It runs through Election Day.
California is an all-mail state: every active registered voter is automatically mailed a ballot, and in-person early voting sites are an alternative to mailing it back.
Every active voter is mailed a ballot; in-person options vary by county.
Confirm exact locations and hours — which vary by county — at California's official election site.
Voting by Mail in California
Every active registered voter in California is automatically mailed a ballot — no request needed.
Return rule: Postmarked on or before Election Day; must be received no later than seven days after
Every active voter is mailed a ballot automatically.
Track your ballot: use California's ballot tracker to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Details and request forms are at California's official election site.
Voter ID Requirements in California
No identifying document is requested to vote in person; the state verifies identity by other means, typically a signature match.
See the full list of accepted ID at California's official election site.
Poll Hours in California
Polls are open until 8 p.m. PT on November 7, 2028.
See how California's closing time compares nationwide on the full poll closing times by state page, or confirm your local hours at California's official election site.
When California Certifies Its Results
Election-night totals are unofficial. The count becomes official in two steps:
- Local: County elections officials — by about December 3, 2026. Canvass starts by the Thursday after the election and must finish within 30 days.
- Statewide: Secretary of state — December 11, 2026 on the 2026 calendar. Within 38 days of the election.
Certifying is a required step, not a second vote on the result. What happens if a local board won’t sign off, every state’s deadlines and how a result can be challenged are on how election results are certified.
Live on Congress Countdown
Live countdown to Election Day — and every date in between
Registration deadlines, early voting, and the full 2026 election calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline to register to vote in California?
15 days before Election Day Confirm the exact date at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voting-california/registering-vote.
Can I vote early in person in California?
California mails every active registered voter a ballot automatically, so most voters don't need a separate early-voting trip. In-person options still exist — see the early voting section below.
Do I need ID to vote in California?
No identifying document is requested to vote in person; the state verifies identity by other means, typically a signature match.
When do polls close in California?
Polls close 8 p.m. PT on November 7, 2028.
How do I vote by mail in California?
California automatically mails a ballot to every active registered voter. Postmarked on or before Election Day; must be received no later than seven days after
Is it too late to register to vote in California?
15 days before Election Day Confirm at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voting-california/registering-vote.
How do I track my mail ballot in California?
Use California's ballot tracker (https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/) to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Where can I see a sample ballot for California?
Your county or local election office publishes sample ballots before each election. They list every race you will vote on, including judges and local measures. Start at California's official election site (https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voting-california/registering-vote).