How to Vote in California in the 2020 Election
Some say voting is a privilege, others would call it a duty — your mileage may vary, but there is no denying that voting is a right. If you possess that right, only you can choose to exercise it. The nature of our democracy is such that voting is one of the key ways in which you can make your voice heard, by determining who represents you, your community, and ultimately the country. Though the system is far from perfect, it is the broadest avenue for citizens from all walks of life to have a say in the direction of the nation.
Like all aspects of life in 2020, the process of voting may look a little different. The ongoing health concerns caused by COVID-19 mean that Election Day has the potential to be more drawn out than it already is; maintaining proper safety measures could lead to even longer wait times than usual. However, California is doing their best to help ensure that everyone is able to vote as easily as possible, most importantly by sending a vote-by-mail ballot to all registered voters prior to the election. All you will have to do is fill out that ballot and either mail it back or take it to one of several ballot drop boxes situated around each county. By doing this, you’ll be able to make sure your vote is counted without having to go to the polls at all!
To take advantage of the opportunity, the most important thing you need to do is make sure that (if eligible) you are registered to vote. You can check your status here, and if you’re not already registered, you can easily do that online here. The deadline for registering to vote before the November 3rd election is October 19th, but vote-by-mail ballots are expected to be sent out in early October — meaning that you should register as soon as possible to make sure you get your ballot (you’ll still be able to vote as long as you’re registered by Oct. 19, but mail delays may mean you will have to vote in person instead).
The FAQ below includes additional information on the logistics of this year’s election process, including relevant links, but the number one priority is to make sure you register to vote as soon as possible. In a country as large as ours it can be hard to make your voice heard, and we sincerely hope that everyone who is able — regardless of your beliefs or politics — makes the most of this opportunity!
Voting FAQ
Am I able to vote?
To vote in the November 3, 2020 general election, you must be:
A United States citizen and a resident of California;
18 years of age or older as of November 3, 2020;
Not currently in state or federal prison (or awaiting transfer to state or federal prison, or serving a state prison felony sentence);
Not currently on parole for the conviction of a felony (or in the county jail for a parole violation)
Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.
How do I register to vote?
If you are not sure if you are already registered, you can check your status here. Note that at the top of the page there is an option to change the language of the form.
If you are already registered and your mailing address is correct, you don’t need to do anything else — the Governor of California has issued an executive order requiring that all registered voters be mailed a ballot prior to the election, which they can fill out and return by mail or drop-off.
If you are not registered, you should use this site to register. Again, note that you can change the language of the site to one of your choosing.
When you register, make sure to provide — when requested — your driver license number, your California identification number, or the last four digits of your social security number in order to ensure that your ballot is counted (if you don’t have the ability to do this, you should be able to send in photocopies of identifying materials with your ballot, but the former will be a better option).
When is the registration deadline?
Monday, October 19th is the deadline for online registration, but vote-by-mail ballots are expected to be sent out in early October (and there will likely be continued Postal Service delays), so you should consider registering as soon as possible.
If you miss the deadline for any reason, you can also register in person on election day, but pre-registration is the preferable alternative.
How do I request a vote-by-mail ballot?
Governor Newsom’s executive order requires that a vote-by-mail ballot be sent to all registered voters in California, so you do not have to specifically request one.
When should I expect to receive my vote-by-mail ballot?
Ballots are expected to be sent to registered voters during the first week of October.
How do I submit by vote-by-mail ballot?
Once you have completed your vote-by-mail ballot, you have four options for returning it for counting:
Mail: Mail it back to the county elections official — your ballot will include a prepaid return envelope. Your ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday, November 3rd and received by Friday, November 20th. The Postal Service is currently experiencing delays, so the earlier the better; standard guidance is that if possible, you should mail your ballot at least a week prior to the deadline (so, in this case, October 27th).
Polling Place: Return your ballot in person to a polling place or the office of your county elections official. This must be done before the polls close at 8:00pm on Tuesday, November 3rd.
Ballot Drop Box: Drop your ballot into one of your county’s ballot drop boxes. This must be done before the polls close at 8:00pm on Tuesday, November 3rd.
Someone On Your Behalf: Authorize someone to return your ballot on your behalf. This should be someone you know and trust, and you should not pay them to do so. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must fill out the authorization section found on the outside of the envelope. This must be done before the polls close at 8:00pm on Tuesday, November 3rd.
How do I track my vote-by-mail ballot to make sure it’s received?
You’ll be able to track your ballot via the state’s Where’s My Ballot online platform.
Can I just go to the polls on November 3rd?
Yes, there is currently no indication that polling places will not be open. However, due to the possibility that there will still be health and safety restrictions in place due to COVID-19, it is reasonable to assume even longer than normal wait times on Election Day. Both to avoid that possibility and to reduce the number of people congregating at polling places, taking advantage of the vote-by-mail opportunity may be the best option available.
What will be on the ballot this year?
Presidential election
U.S. House of Representatives election
State Senate and Assembly elections
Local elections
Ballot measures
How do I get more information about candidates and measures?
Once you’re registered, you should receive two voter information guides in the mail: one for federal and statewide elections and one for countywide and local elections. These typically provide detailed information on candidates and measures, including arguments in favor of each side.
Online resources will also be available in the coming weeks and months. We recommend checking the following sites for additional information:
Voter’s Edge (a nonpartisan resource for information on candidates and measures)