California voters are about to decide whether to temporarily replace the state’s citizen-drawn congressional map with new lines – before returning mapmaking duties to the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission after the 2030 Census.

Supporters frame Proposition 50 as a one-time response to partisan redistricting in Texas; critics call it a political power grab by Sacramento.

Here is how to cast your ballot in the Nov. 4 special election.

Where is my ballot?

All active registered voters are automatically mailed a ballot. If you registered before ballots were mailed, you should already have yours.

Not sure? Use the California Secretary of State’s “My Voter Status” or “Where’s My Ballot?” tools to confirm your registration and track delivery. Your county elections office can also help if your ballot hasn’t arrived.

How do I cast my ballot?

You can vote by mail, deposit your ballot in an official drop box or vote in person at a vote center.

For county-specific details, hours, and locations, check the official election websites for your county or visit the secretary of state’s voting portal.

State officials are strongly urging voters not to wait until Election Day to return ballots. Recent USPS processing changes mean some mail may not be postmarked the same day it’s collected – a potential issue since ballots must be postmarked by Election Day to count. Voting early or using an official drop-off site can help ensure your vote is included.

How do I know my vote was received and counted?

California’s ballot-tracking system lets you see when your ballot was mailed, received, and accepted – or if there’s an issue to fix, such as a signature mismatch. The “My Voter Status” tool is the most reliable way to verify that your vote was counted.

What if I haven’t registered to vote yet?

The deadline to register and automatically receive a mail-in ballot is Oct. 20.

Missed the standard registration deadline? You can still vote.

California allows same-day voter registration at select locations. You’ll fill out a registration form and cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted once your eligibility is verified. Visit the secretary of state’s site for your county’s same-day registration rules.

What is Proposition 50?

Prop 50 would authorize a temporary congressional map drawn by the Legislature to remain in place until 2030, when California’s independent redistricting commission resumes its normal duties. Lawmakers placed the measure on the ballot as a response to Texas’s mid-decade redistricting, which favored Republicans.

Why are officials urging voters not to wait until the last minute to return ballots?

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber have advised voters to cast ballots early or drop them off in person, citing potential postmark delays.

The Postal Service says it hasn’t changed postmarking policy but acknowledges that some mail could be processed – and postmarked – the following day.

Where can I find official, up-to-date information about this election?

The California Secretary of State’s Official Voter Information Guide is the definitive, nonpartisan source for ballot details and deadlines. It includes the full text of Proposition 50, arguments for and against, and links to your county election office for voting options and locations.

When in doubt, start there – and vote early to make sure your ballot counts.

This article originally published at How to vote in California’s Nov. 4 special election on Prop 50.