Your country needs your vote. Here's how to register in California.

In order to be eligible to vote in the state of California, you must be:

By voting in California, you're able to make your voice heard in state, federal, and local elections. Below you'll learn the steps to register to participate in the voting process.

Information for voters and identification requirements for voting may change. Please check with the state's Secretary of State website to make sure you have the most updated information before going to your polling place.

Register to Vote in California

If you're looking to register to vote in California, and you meet the requirements mentioned above, you'll need to complete a voter application and submit it either online or by mail. You can also register to vote when visiting a Department of Motor Vehicles office to obtain a California driver's license or register your vehicle.

The deadline to register online, by mail, or in person with a paper application, is midnight on the 15th day before the Election Day in question.

NOTE : Once your information has been submitted for registration, it still needs to be approved by your local election official. This official will contact you once your CA voter registration has been approved, or if they need more information from you.

Online Registration

If you would like to register online, you can submit an application by using the California Online Voter Registration website.

You'll be asked to answer a series of questions and enter your personal information, including:

Your CA driver's license or ID number.

Your Social Security number.

Your birth date.

The system will check with the California DMV to ensure that your signature is on file. If it is, it will be added to your registration and you may submit it at the end of the process.

If your signature is NOT on file, your information will be sent to your local county elections board. Print the information you filled out online, sign the application, and mail it to the address specified on the form. An official will contact you once they've received all of your information.

Just Moved? Find all the information you need to finish your moving requirements with the DMV.

Register by Mail

If you prefer to register to vote by mail, you can:

Print the National Mail Voter Registration Form online.

Pick a registration form up at your local DMV office or county elections office.

Request one by calling the voter hotline at (800) 345-8683.

You can also pick up a voter registration application at post offices, public libraries, and other government offices.

When you complete your application, mail it to the address provided on the application. You will need to provide your California driver's license or identification card number or the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you do not have any of these numbers leave the field blank and the election officials will assign you a voter identification number.

Military, Overseas, & Out of State Voter Registration

CA Military and Overseas Residents

If you're an active-duty military member (or dependent) or a citizen currently overseas, you can register to vote and apply for an absentee ballot using the Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) (Form 76). Once you complete the form, mail it to your local county elections board.

Alternatively, you can call (800) 345-8683 and request one be mailed or faxed to you (which is helpful if you don't have access to the Internet).

Out-of-State Residents

Out-of-state California residents can register to vote using any of the above methods. Once registered, you may apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot in order to vote absentee during your time out of state.

If you are a college student living away from home during your studies, you can register to vote at:

The address you use while away at school .

. Your traditional home address.

You CANNOT vote using both addresses.

See Register to Vote in California above for details on voter registration processes.

Deadline to Register to Vote in California

If you plan to vote in California, you must register a minimum of 15 days prior to the upcoming election. Your application must be time-stamped by midnight on the day of your registration deadline.

Voter Registration Name or Address Change

The address on your voter registration record should be your current place of residence. If you have temporarily moved, you can continue to use your permanent address for the purposes of voting.

If you've permanently changed your address, or you've legally changed your name, you'll need to re-register to vote. Simply follow one of the methods described above in Register to Vote in California.

The SOS also suggests that you update your information with the DMV to reflect your new legal name.

NOTE : If you are re-registering online and you have not yet updated the DMV with your new name, make sure to decline your DMV signature on your application by checking the box marked “decline." If you fail to do this, your application will be rejected since your signature no longer matches your legal name.

Replacing a Lost CA Voter Registration Card

If you have misplaced your voter registration card, or you have not received it, you can request a duplicate by calling (800) 345-8683.