With a statewide ballot measure that could tilt the future political control of Congress, a Santa Clara County tax increase for health care, and more, the Nov. 4 election will be consequential for the Bay Area and California.
California residents who are eligible can register and vote through Election Day. But if you want a ballot mailed to your door beforehand, you’ll have to register online before the deadline at midnight on Monday. (You can also check your voter registration status at the link above.)
After the deadline on Monday night?
“You can always come in-person to register,” said Helen Nolan, assistant registrar in Contra Costa County.
That’s because California has a safety net law that allows residents to register in-person before Election Day ends, in case they missed the online registration deadline. You can register in-person and cast your vote on the same day at your county elections offices. For other locations to do so, contact your county registrar. You can also use the state’s online tool to search for polling places statewide.
Nolan, an elections veteran, has sage advice for voters who may be procrastinating at filling out and returning their ballots.
“I would encourage people — vote early,” she said.
County elections offices began mailing ballots on Oct. 6., and ballot drop-off sites opened the following day. Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location or at your county elections office, per the California Secretary of State’s webpage.
If you plan to vote by mail and want your ballot counted, your ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by county elections staffers by Wednesday, November 12.
Originally Published: October 20, 2025 at 4:30 AM PDT