As the 2020 election season heats up, voters across the state have already begun researching their candidates, their policies and positions. With the general election only a few months away on November 3, 2020, it's a good idea to check your registration status, or even get registered for the first time so you can vote in this year's presidential election.
The good news? California makes it incredible simple for voters to check, update, or even register for the first time online. Some 16 and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote online as well.
To be eligible to vote in California, you must be:
- A United States citizen
- A resident of California
- 18-years or older by the day of the next election
- Not imprisoned or on parole for a felony conviction
- Not found mentally incompetent by a court.
Here's what you'll need to register to vote:
- Your California driver license or California identification card number,
- The last four digits of your social security number and
- Your date of birth.
If you don't have a California driver license or California identification car, you can still register online on the 15th calendar day before the election.
The information you provide will be used to obtain a copy of your DMV signature.
Check your Voter Registration Status here!
More information on voting in California can be found here!
Because California's primary is known as a "party-based" election for presidential candidates, voters who are registered without a party preference are allowed to select a "cross-over" ballot for either the Democratic, American Independent or Libertarian parties. Voters who are registered without a party are still allowed to vote for Republican, Green or Peace and Freedom party candidates by updating their registration. The deadline to make that change is coming fast (Feb. 17), so it's a good idea to update and check your voter registration status if you have plans to vote for one of those parties and you are currently registered as a "no-party preference voter."
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