Sacramento, Calif. – California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., reminds voters that today, Monday, May 18, is the deadline to register to vote or update their voter registration in order to participate in the June 2, 2026, Primary Election. Voters who miss this deadline will still have the option of utilizing “Same Day” voter registration but will have to do so in-person at their county elections office or at any in-person voting location.

“Online voter registration is quick and easy at registertovote.ca.gov,” noted Secretary Weber. “The website is mobile-friendly. You can register to vote or update your voter registration on a tablet or smartphone.”

Eligible citizens can register to vote or update their voter registration online at registertovote.ca.gov. The last day to register to vote for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election is today, May 18, 2026, at midnight.

Voters who are unsure of their voter registration status can quickly check it online at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.

Voters can track their ballot by signing up at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov to automatically receive text, email, or voice status alerts, including whether their ballot has been received, counted, or needs to be corrected before their ballot can be counted.

“Same Day” Voter Registration Process after May 18

Eligible citizens who miss the May 18 deadline have the option to participate in the “Same Day” voter registration process at their local county elections office or any in-person voting location in their county. Californians who participate in “Same Day” registration will be asked to fill out a voter registration form and will be provided a ballot. These ballots will be counted once the county office has completed the voter registration verification process.

Voters can complete the “Same Day” voter registration process all the way through Election Day on June 2, 2026. Questions about the “Same Day” voter registration process should be directed to their county elections office.

Voting Options

There are many options for voters to return their voted ballot. Voters can:

  • Drop off their ballot at a secure designated drop box, polling location, vote center, or county elections office.
  • Mail in their ballot. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, June 2, 2026. If mailing a vote-by-mail ballot, it is recommended that voters mail their ballots early because some postal service locations may not postmark ballots/mail until the following day. If a voter mails their ballot on Election Day, the Office of the Secretary of State recommends that voters get a manual postmark from a postal employee inside their local United States Post Office.
  • Return their ballot in-person. County elections officials offer early voting at their office, and many counties offer early voting at additional locations before Election Day.

The California Office of the Secretary of State’s website has a tool where a voter can type in their county or zip code, and the tool identifies that voter’s voting options: caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/. Voters can also contact their county elections office.

County contact information can be found by visiting the Secretary of State’s website at: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices.

Vote at the Polls on Election Day.

Polls are open on Election Day: June 2, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The location of a voter’s polling place is provided in their county Voter Information Guide mailed by their county elections official.

Voters can track their ballot by signing up at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov to automatically receive text, email, or voice status alerts, including that their ballot has been received, counted, or needs to be corrected before their ballot can be counted.

Information about county elections offices can be found at sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices.

Upcoming California key dates and deadlines for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election can be found at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026/key-dates-and-deadlines.

A full California Complete June 2, 2026, Primary Election Calendar is available at https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/statewide-elections/2026-primary/primary-election-calendar.pdf.