Voting is about more than choosing candidates, it’s also about having a say on the issues, policies, and decisions that shape our everyday lives. From housing and education to public safety and transportation, local and state decisions affect our communities in real ways.
Your vote matters — and you don’t need a permanent address or an ID do it. Read more on how to cast your vote.
Key dates for voting this November.
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Voting places are open 7am to 8pm.
Last day to register online: Monday, October 19. Missed it? Don’t worry. From October 20 through Election Day you can register and vote in person.
Who can vote?
If you are a U.S. citizen and 18 or older, you can vote. There are only 2 reasons you can’t:
- You are in prison right now for a felony.
- A court said you can’t make voting choices, and you have a conservator.
Everyone else can vote. That includes people who are experiencing homelessness, whether they are sleeping on the street, in a car, or in a shelter.
Were you previously convicted of a felony? You can still vote. If you are on parole or probation, you can vote. If you are out of prison, you can vote. You only lose your vote while actively serving a prison term.
Where to vote.
There are two ways to vote: in person at a voting place, or a ballot drop box.
Find a ballot drop box near you:
No home address? You can still register.
In California, you keep your voting address until you get a new one. Meaning, if you don’t currently have a permanent address, you can still register to vote using your most recent address or the place you spend most of your time.
Pick one of these to write on your voter registration form:
- Your last home address. Even if you don’t live there now.
- The place where you spend most of your time. A shelter works.
- Where you sleep at night. Write the nearest cross streets or a public park.
Note: You can not use a P.O. Box or business address to register to vote.
You do not need an ID to vote.
On the voter registration form, there is a place for a California ID number or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. If you don’t have them, leave it blank.
Most of the time, voters do not have to show ID at the voting place.
Same-day voter registration.
You can register and vote on the same day, up to Election Day. This is called “same-day registration” or “conditional voter registration”. Here’s how:
- Go to a voting place, a vote center, or your county elections office.
- Say “I want to register and vote.”
- Fill out the voter registration form. Cast your ballot.
Your ballot is counted after the county checks your registration.
Not sure if you registered? Lost your mail ballot? Never got one? Go to a voting place and ask for help. You can show up as late as election day.
Still not sure where to go or have more questions?
- Want to register and vote before election day? Visit caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov for a list of early voting locations where you can complete the Same Day Voter Registration Process in person.
- Need to register on Election Day? Use the state polling place lookup tool to find your local polling location.
- Have additional questions about locations where you can complete the Same Day Voter Registration process? Contact your county elections office.
