How to Vote

Registering to vote
Preparing to vote
Voting in person

• at your polling location on election day
• by provisional ballot
• early voting

Voting by mail

• vote-by-mail ballot
• in the military and "overseas"

If you moved...
Your voting rights
Types of elections

The Next Election

Many local governments will have elections in the coming months. Go to our program SmartVoter.org for information about elections unique to your part of California.

The next regularly scheduled state-wide election in California is the General Election on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. Many local governments will have elections on November 6th as well. Go to SmartVoter.org for information about elections unique to your part of California.

You must be registered to vote by October 22, 2012 in order to vote in this upcoming election.

SmartVoter.org - a Project of LWVC Education Fund

• Information on candidates and ballot measures in local, state and national elections.
• Type in your street address and zipcode to see your personal ballot and polling place.
• An archive of past elections with results.

Easy Voter Guide - a Project of LWVC Education Fund

• User-friendly information for new and busy voters online.
• Download FREE audio and print publications on the basics of voting.
• New to voting? Learn how to register to vote.

Pros & Cons - a Project of the LWVC Education Fund

We provide nonpartisan  explanations of measures on the ballot each state wide election, including the provisions, fiscal effects, main arguments for and against, and the supporters and opponents.

Take a Friend to Vote

A League of Women Voters of the United States' brochure (in PDF) to inform about voting and to increase voter participation.

Work at the Polls

Registered voters and certain high school students may work at the polls on election day. There is also work on election night processing and counting ballots. For the hours, the amount of pay and an application, contact your County Elections Official.