California’s secretary of state has released key dates and deadlines for voters ahead of the June primary election. Below are the important dates and deadlines voters should keep in mind ahead of Election Day on June 2, 2026.This information is available through the California Secretary of State’s Office.An online version of the California voter information guide is already available. April 23 to May 12 – The secretary of state and county election officials will begin mailing voter information guides to voters. (Some have already gone out.)May 4 – County election officials must have begun mailing each registered voter a vote-by-mail ballot no later than this date. May 4 – Early voting sites will open, allowing any registered voter to visit their county elections office to drop off their ballot or request and receive a vote-by-mail ballot. May 5 to June 2 – All counties should have ballot drop-off locations for vote-by-mail ballots.May 18 – Last day to register to vote for the primary election. (California still offers Same Day Registration.)May 19 to June 2 – If you missed the registration deadline, you can still complete the Same Day Voter Registration Process at early voting locations or on Election Day. Voters can “conditionally” register and vote a provisional ballot during this time.May 23 – 30 counties in the state will open their vote centers. These counties are part of the Voter’s Choice Act, which provides voters with 10 extra days to cast their ballots rather than waiting for Election Day.June 2 – Election Day! Polls are open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. June 9 – Vote-by-mail ballots need to be received by this day to count. They must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office.July 2 – Last day for county elections officials to certify election resultsHow to register to vote in CaliforniaYou can register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov.If you would like to use a paper voter registration process, you can pick up an application at your county election office, library, DMV office or a U.S. post office. But make sure that it is filled out and postmarked or hand-delivered to your county election office at least 15 days before the election. Learn more here.Think you’re registered to vote? How to double check your voter statusHere is where you can check if you are registered to vote and find your polling place. What to know about same-day voter registration in CaliforniaIf you missed the May 18 voter registration deadline, you can still “conditionally” register and vote at your county elections office, polling place or vote center in the 14 days leading up to the election. These ballots are processed and counted after your voter registration is verified. Learn more here.When to re-register to voteYou should re-register to vote when you change your residence address or mailing address, if you change your name or if you change your political party choice. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
California’s secretary of state has released key dates and deadlines for voters ahead of the June primary election.
Below are the important dates and deadlines voters should keep in mind ahead of Election Day on June 2, 2026.
This information is available through the California Secretary of State’s Office.
An online version of the California voter information guide is already available.
April 23 to May 12 – The secretary of state and county election officials will begin mailing voter information guides to voters. (Some have already gone out.)
May 4 – County election officials must have begun mailing each registered voter a vote-by-mail ballot no later than this date.
May 4 – Early voting sites will open, allowing any registered voter to visit their county elections office to drop off their ballot or request and receive a vote-by-mail ballot.
May 5 to June 2 – All counties should have ballot drop-off locations for vote-by-mail ballots.
May 18 – Last day to register to vote for the primary election. (California still offers Same Day Registration.)
May 19 to June 2 – If you missed the registration deadline, you can still complete the Same Day Voter Registration Process at early voting locations or on Election Day. Voters can “conditionally” register and vote a provisional ballot during this time.
May 23 – 30 counties in the state will open their vote centers. These counties are part of the Voter’s Choice Act, which provides voters with 10 extra days to cast their ballots rather than waiting for Election Day.
June 2 – Election Day! Polls are open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
June 9 – Vote-by-mail ballots need to be received by this day to count. They must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office.
July 2 – Last day for county elections officials to certify election results
How to register to vote in California
You can register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov.
If you would like to use a paper voter registration process, you can pick up an application at your county election office, library, DMV office or a U.S. post office. But make sure that it is filled out and postmarked or hand-delivered to your county election office at least 15 days before the election. Learn more here.
Think you’re registered to vote? How to double check your voter status
Here is where you can check if you are registered to vote and find your polling place.
What to know about same-day voter registration in California
If you missed the May 18 voter registration deadline, you can still “conditionally” register and vote at your county elections office, polling place or vote center in the 14 days leading up to the election. These ballots are processed and counted after your voter registration is verified. Learn more here.
When to re-register to vote
You should re-register to vote when you change your residence address or mailing address, if you change your name or if you change your political party choice.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel