To be eligible to vote, you must be:

• A United States citizen
• A resident of California
• At least 18 years of age (or will be by the date of the next election)
• Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for conviction of a felony
• Not have been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent to register and vote

You may pre-register to vote if you are at least 16 years old. Your registration will become active once you turn 18.

You will need to re-register to vote when:

• You move
• You change your name
• You wish to change political parties or to register with no party preference
• You were removed from the registration rolls while in state or federal prison for the conviction of a felony

Incarcerated Voters & Returning Citizens: 

In California, those who have been convicted of a felony and were sentenced to a prison term for that conviction will be eligible to register to vote immediately after their release, even if they are on probation or parole. Learn more.

Voters without traditional residence: 

In California, every eligible voter, including individuals experiencing homelessness, has the right to vote. They are able to register to vote as long as they have a location where they can receive mail and be assigned to a specific voting area. They have the option to register using an address where they spend most of their time, such as a shelter. In case they don't have a fixed address, they must provide a clear description of their living location when registering so that the county elections official can determine their voting precinct. This description can include nearby cross streets or a park. This process ensures they receive the appropriate election materials based on their living situation.