Election Day Countdown: What California Voters Can Expect Between Now and November 8
The General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 — but there are several key dates leading up to the midterm elections that voters need to know about.
While all California counties will offer in-person voting options (with polls open 7 a.m. to 8 8 p.m. on Election Day) , the election period now takes place over the course of several weeks — with mail-in and drop-off ballots becoming more accessible to and popular among voters in the state.
Here's a timeline of what's happening between now and Nov. 8.
Ballots are on the way! October 10th is the last day for counties to begin mailing ballots. Keep an eye out for your ballot in the mail. #VoteSafeCA #VoteCalifornia pic.twitter.com/Gvpy6jUapI
— CA SOS Vote (@CASOSVote) October 10, 2022
October 2022
October 10: Deadline to begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots out to voters. You DO NOT have to request a ballot to be sent to you — all California registered voters should receive one at the address where they're registered. Your printed Official Voter Guide is mailed separately — but if you don't receive it, you can request one from your local county elections office or download a printable, PDF version or an audio or large-print version from California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D.
October 11: Early vote-by-mail period begins, and vote-by-mail drop boxes are open to receive ballots. No stamps are needed!
October 24: Deadline to register to vote in California, including for overseas voters. If you miss the deadline, you can conditionally register and vote after the 15-day voter registration deadline from October 25 to November 8. You can check your current voter status — and verify the address that's on file — online.
October 29: Certain vote centers open for early in-person voting in Voter's Choice Act (VCA) counties only. In these counties, vote centers have replaced polling places — which means you can cast your ballot at your vote center of choice (near your place of work, for example) rather than the polling place you've been designated, based on your residential district.
#LACounty begins mailing Sample Ballots to all registered voters for the #2022CAGeneralElection — mailing will continue through Oct. 14. Vote by Mail ballots will be issued to all registered voters beginning Oct. 6.
— Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (@LACountyRRCC) September 27, 2022
Make your plan to vote this fall!
👉 https://t.co/g8lpZU5MmL pic.twitter.com/5dbfk2miho
November 2022
November 1: Last day for military or overseas voters to update or change how they want to receive their ballot.
November 4 and 5: More vote centers open for early in-person voting in VCA counties only.
November 8: Election Day
- Polling places and vote centers are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. — but as long as you're in line by the time the polls close, you will be allowed to cast your vote.
- The vote-by-mail period also ends on Election Day and ballots must be postmarked November 8 or earlier and be received by November 15.
- Election results will start to become available after the polls close at 8 p.m. You can follow the action on the California Secretary of State's Election Results website.
However, the election cycle isn't 100% complete on Election Day. That means there are two more key dates to keep in mind:
November 15: Deadline for completed Vote By Mail ballots to be delivered to election officials.
December 16: Official election results are certified and posted online.
Happy voting!
