How do I register to vote in California? What is the application process?

To register to vote, you need to fill out a voter registration form and submit it to your county elections office (learn how to find your county elections office directly above). You can do this by (1) filling out an online form (if you have access to a computer that’s connected to Internet and a printer) or (2) filling out a paper form.[254] Both methods are completely acceptable, so do what is best and easiest for you! Read on for details.

IMPORTANT: If you want to vote in the next election, you must register at least 15 days before that election. Once you’re registered, you can vote in all state and local elections.[255]

!

Registering through the ONLINE form:

Choose this option only if you have access to a computer that’s connected to the Internet and a printer.

Go to the online form.

Visit http://registertovote.ca.gov/.[256] Click “Register to Vote Now,” and the online form will open.

Complete the online form.

Click through the pages and enter your information in the boxes. Be sure to answer all questions that are marked by a star (*). NOTE: The form asks for your California driver license or state ID number, birthdate, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (SSN). Enter this if you can, but know that you may still be able to vote even if some information is missing. Your county elections official may assign you a special number to vote.[257]

Submit the online form.

What happens next depends on whether you have a signature on file with the DMV.

    If you do have a valid California driver license or state ID: You probably have a signature on file with the DMV. Click “Submit” when you finish the form, and the website will most likely find your signature in the DMV database and send your information to your county elections office.
    If you don’t have a valid California driver license or state ID: You probably don’t have a signature on file with DMV. Click “Print” when you finish the form, sign the printed form, and submit the printed form to your county elections office — either by mail or in person.

Wait to hear from for your county elections office.

Your county elections office will contact you if it approves your voter registration, or if it needs more information to confirm that you can vote.[258]

Registering with the PAPER form:

Get the paper form. There are a few different ways to get it:

    Pick up a paper form at any county elections office (see PG. 70 for how to find one),[259] public library (see PG. 65 for how to find one), DMV office (go to http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/fo/offices/locator/locator.htm to locate one), or U.S. post office;
    Call 1-800-345-VOTE (toll-free voter hotline) and ask to get a paper form mailed to you;
    Download the form at www.sos.ca.gov/nvrc/fedform/ and print it;[260] OR
    Contact the California Secretary of State’s Office, and ask that a paper form be mailed to you. You can ask by sending a letter, calling, or emailing the office:

California Secretary of State's Office, Elections Division

1500 11th Street, 5th Floor; Sacramento, CA 95814


Phone: (916) 657-2166

Email: [email protected]

Complete the paper form.

Fill in as much information as possible. Note that the form asks for your California driver license or state ID number, birthdate, and last 4 digits of your Social Secutiy Number. Enter everything you can. You may still be able to vote even if some information is missing. Your county elections official may assign you a special voter ID number.[261] When you go to vote on election day, you may have to show documents with your name and address such as a military or student ID, a utility bill, or a public benefits check.

Submit the paper form. Mail it to your county elections office, or drop it off in person.Wait to hear from for your county elections office. It will contact you if it approves your voter registration, or if it needs more information to confirm that you can vote.[262]

IMPORTANT TIPFilling out the Voter Registration Form

The voter registration form asks: “Have you ever been convicted of a felony?” By law, you must this question truthfully.[263] Even if you have fully served your sentence and your voting rights have been restored, you must check the “yes” box. If you lie, you could be found guilty of perjury.

  1. 254

    Election and Voter Information, Cal. Sec’y of State, http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/new-voter/registering-vote.htm.

  2. 255

    Election and Voter Information, Cal. Sec’y of State, http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/new-voter/registering-vote.htm.

  3. 256

    The form is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese. Election and Voter Information, Cal. Sec’y of State, http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_faq.htm.

  4. 257

    Election and Voter Information, Cal. Sec’y of State, http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/new-voter/registering-vote.htm.

  5. 258

    Election and Voter Information, Cal. Sec’y of State, http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_faq.htm.

  6. 259

    For a directory of California County Elections Offices, including location, office hours, and contact information, visit http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_d.htm.

  7. 260

    The form is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese. Election and Voter Information, Cal. Sec’y of State, http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_faq.htm.

  8. 261

    Election and Voter Information, Cal. Sec’y of State, http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/new-voter/registering-vote.htm.

  9. 262

    Election and Voter Information, Cal. Sec’y of State, http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_faq.htm.

  10. 263

    Cal. Pen. Code § 118; People v. Darcy, 59 Cal. App. 2d 342, 348 (1943) (The court held that “to sustain a perjury charge it is not necessary that the false statement be made for the purpose of injuring another . . .. Whether a false statement has been made willfully or as the result of an honest mistake is a question of fact solely for the jury to decide.”).