How to Register to Vote in California (US)

California makes voter registration straightforward with several options available to eligible citizens.

Eligibility Requirements:

To register in California, you must be:

1. A United States citizen and a resident of California.
2. 18 years old or older on Election Day (16- and 17-year-olds can pre-register).
3. Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for a felony conviction.
4. Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.

Registration Methods:

1. Online: You can register entirely online at registertovote.ca.gov. You will need your California driver's license or identification card number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth.
2. By Mail / Paper Application: You can pick up a paper voter registration application at your county elections office, library, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office, or U.S. post office. You can also call (800) 345-VOTE(8683) to request one be mailed to you.
3. In-Person (Same Day Registration): If you miss the standard 15-day registration deadline, California offers Same Day Voter Registration (also called Conditional Voter Registration). You can visit your county elections office, a vote center, or a designated satellite office up to and including Election Day to register and cast a provisional ballot.

The 2026 US Midterm Elections

The next major national elections in the United States are the 2026 Midterm Elections, scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Key Dates & Timeline

The 2026 federal election cycle spans most of the year:

1. January – March 2026: Campaign season officially begins.
2. March 3 – September 15, 2026: Primary elections are held across the country (dates vary significantly by state) to select the final candidates for the general election.
3. November 3, 2026: Election Day.
4. January 3, 2027: The newly elected 120th Congress convenes.

What is on the Ballot in 2026?

Because these are midterm elections (occurring halfway through a presidential term), the presidency is not on the ballot. However, the entire House of Representatives and a significant portion of the Senate will be contested.

Office	Seats Contested in 2026
U.S. House of Representatives	All 435 voting districts
U.S. Senate	35 seats (33 regularly scheduled Class II seats + 2 special elections in Florida and Ohio)
State Governors	39 races (36 states and 3 territories)

Future US Presidential Elections

The next United States Presidential Election will take place in 2028.

Who is Running for President?

Because the 2028 election is still years away, there are no official nominees yet. However, political analysts and early polling are already tracking potential candidates for both major parties.

Potential Candidates (2028 Lookahead):

While no one has formally secured a nomination, several high-profile figures are consistently discussed or polled as potential contenders for the 2028 race:

• Republicans: Early polling averages often include figures like Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Donald Trump Jr., and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. (Note: President Donald Trump is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term under the 22nd Amendment).
• Democrats: Speculation frequently centers around figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, California Governor Gavin Newsom (though he recently stated he would not run if Harris does), Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Note: There are no US presidential elections in 2026.