Last-minute guide for voting on election day in California

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So you are doing it the old-fashioned way — waiting till election day to cast your ballot.

You are not alone. Here is a guide for how to go to the polls, make sure your ballot gets in the right hands and survive this historic day.

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In-person voting hours

All polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day.

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Where to find your polling place

Polling place addresses are printed on sample ballots mailed to voters, but you can also find locations here by filling in your home address. For regional information:

Orange County voting centers and drop boxes.
Riverside County voting centers and drop boxes.
San Bernardino County voting centers and drop boxes.
San Diego County voting centers and drop boxes.
Ventura County voting centers and drop boxes.
Santa Barbara County voting centers and drop boxes.

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Same-day voter registration

California has a program for same-day voter registration, which is known as conditional voter registration. According to the state: “Eligible citizens who need to register or re-register to vote within 14 days of an election can complete this process to register and vote at their county elections office, polling place, or vote center. Their ballots will be processed and counted once the county elections office has completed the voter registration verification process.” More information can be found here.

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Last-minute vote-by-mail

Ballots that are sent by mail must be postmarked on or before election day and received by Nov. 12, 2024, according to the state.

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Dropping off a ballot on election day

Ballots may be personally delivered to any ballot drop-off box or polling place in the state. If you can’t return the ballot, you can choose someone to return it for you. “Anyone may return your ballot for you, as long as they do not get paid on a per ballot basis. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must fill out the authorization section found on the outside of your ballot envelope,” the state says. More details on how to do this are available here.

Dropped-off ballots must be received before polls close at 8 p.m.

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Misplaced ballots

Haven’t received a vote-by-mail ballot, or it was lost or destroyed? Contact the elections office in your county to be sent a second one. Also, if you show up at your polling place, you can vote with a provisional ballot, according to the state. “Only the registered voter themself may request a replacement ballot,” the state said. More on provisional ballot rules is available here.

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Voting etiquette

Polling places have rules — including not intimidating other voters or compromising their privacy as they cast their ballots. But having a little fun is protected by law: You can take a “ballot selfie.”

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Tracking your ballot

After you’ve sent in your ballot, you can check here to track it online. You’ll be able to see when it was received and when it was counted.

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When will we know results?

Experts say it could take days to know who won, especially in tight races. That has been the case in past congressional races in California. In some battleground states, various rules could result in slower counting. Mail-in ballots are another factor.