Vote Early
Make a plan, know where you're going, and get your ballot in before Election Day.
My Early Voting Plan
(AKA my plan to help drive the largest early vote turnout in American history!)
I'm ready to vote:
- I've checked voterstatus.sos.ca.gov (opens in a new tab) to make sure my voter registration is up to date
- I've updated my info at registertovote.ca.gov (opens in a new tab), if necessary
- I got set to track my ballot at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov (opens in a new tab)
- I've built my ballot ahead of time using a Voter Guide.
- I put the voter hotline (866-687-8683, 866ourvote.org (opens in a new tab)) in my phone in case of voting problems
| Plan Components | Info | My Plan |
|---|---|---|
| HOW I'm voting | Every registered voter gets a vote-by-mail ballot (track yours here (opens in a new tab)). | |
| WHEN I'm voting | If you've already received your ballot, you can put it in a drop box any time until polls close on election day. If you haven't received your ballot or haven't registered, visit a vote center for Same Day Voter Registration (opens in a new tab). | I'm going to vote on: |
| WHERE I'm voting | You can vote at a drop box, a vote center, or by mail. Find your closest drop box or vote center on our map or via the California Early Voting Site (opens in a new tab). | I'm going to vote by going to: |
| WHY I'm voting |
Key Dates
Troubleshooting Guide for Your Vote
- I'm not registered in Santa Clara County. Can I vote here?
- Almost for sure! See registertovote.ca.gov (opens in a new tab) to check eligibility and to register to vote online. If you register after Oct 19, you won't be sent a vote-by-mail ballot, and you'll need to register and vote (opens in a new tab) in person at a vote center starting Oct 24, which only takes a few minutes once you're there.
- I am registered but my ballot never arrived! What should I do?
If you can get to a vote center Oct 24–Nov 3, that's the easiest way to either get a replacement vote-by-mail ballot printed, or just vote in person!
If you can't go yourself, but you can send someone on your behalf, download and print this form (opens in a new tab), sign it, and send them to a vote center (other languages here (opens in a new tab)). Or, if you can't print the form, sign a note giving the person permission to pick up your replacement ballot and include your identifying information, and they can pick up your ballot at any vote center.
- I have my ballot but I'm traveling inside California. How can I get it in without relying on USPS?
- You can drop it off at any ballot box in California and it will be forwarded to the right county! Do this as early as possible so it will be forwarded and counted as soon as possible. If you are outside California, this won't work: you will need to mail it as early as you can and track your ballot!
- My ballot never arrived and I'm out of the county and can't get back in person before Election Day! What should I do?
- Use “RAVBM” (opens in a new tab) (Remote Accessible Vote By Mail) to fill out a ballot online, then print it out. Put it in a sealed envelope with your information on it (instructions are on the form). You can drop this off in any California county's drop box! Or mail it if you're outside California.
- I put my ballot in a drop box two weeks ago but it doesn't show up as received! What's going on?
- Mail can experience delays! Call 408-299-VOTE to check on your ballot status if it's been this long. If it's Nov 2 and you still don't see your ballot showing up at the Registrar of Voters, please come by a vote center to check in and get help. Note: if you vote in person before the Registrar receives your vote-by-mail ballot, your in-person ballot will be what counts.
Find Drop Boxes and Vote Centers
Official ballot drop boxes are open now. You can drop your ballot off at any drop box in California, and Santa Clara County residents can vote at any vote center in Santa Clara County. Vote centers begin opening October 24, all of them are open from October 31, and they stay open through 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3.
🗳️ Host a Ballot Party — Voting Is Better with Friends!
Want to help your friends and neighbors work through their ballot so that they can vote early? Host a ballot party! Bring your ballots, snacks, and our local cheat sheet to research choices together.
Why Voting Early Matters So Much This Election
This is a consequential, complicated ballot. Californians will choose state leaders and decide 14 statewide propositions, in addition to local races and measures. Give yourself time to read, decide, and make sure your ballot is cast.
- Don't leave your vote to chance. Illness, a family emergency, work, traffic, a long line, transportation trouble, or a last-minute problem on November 3 can't stop a vote you've already cast.
- You have time to fix problems. If you need a replacement ballot, discover a registration issue, or have a question about where to vote, acting before Election Day gives you more time and more options.
- You reduce Election Day pressure. Casting your ballot early spreads voting over more days and means one fewer person needs to vote on November 3.
- Returning a mail ballot early helps election officials process ballots sooner. California counties may begin processing vote-by-mail ballots before Election Day, although no results may be released before polls close.
- And yes: fewer reminders. Campaigns and voter-turnout groups use updated voting records to focus on people who have not yet voted. Once your vote is recorded as cast, many of the “please vote” calls, texts, mail and door knocks can stop or slow down, though not every organization's list updates immediately.
The simplest reason: if you're ready to vote, voting early removes opportunities for something unexpected to get between you and your ballot.