Register

How to register

1. Make sure you’re eligible

In general, you need to be 18 years old by Election Day and a U.S. citizen (in addition to some other requirements.)

Need to check if you qualify? See who can vote in California.

2. Decide where to register — at home or school

If you are living away from home while at college, you are eligible to vote in either location. Which you choose is up to you — just make sure it’s somewhere you can get to on Election Day if you’re voting in person, or receive a ballot if you’re voting by mail.

Already registered? Check that your address is current and re-register if your address has changed.

3. Pick a political party ... or choose not to

About a third of California voters register as “No Party Preference,” meaning that they are not affiliated with any particular political party. For some elections, like primaries to decide which candidates compete in a general election, your party preference dictates which candidates appear on your ballot.  For general elections like those that happen every four years to pick the U.S. President, your party preference makes no difference for your ballot.

4. Register as soon as possible!

Visit vote.gov/register to begin the registration process online and get information for registration deadlines ahead of upcoming elections. If you miss the online voter registration deadline, California voters can register in-person at their county elections offices or at the polls on Election Day. Learn more about same day voter registration.