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Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? We have answers

Where can I find the Official Voter Information Guide?
How can I track my ballot?
Tracking your ballot - when it is mailed, received, and counted - has never been easier. Track ballot today. 
How do I sign up to be a Poll Worker?
County elections officials depend on reliable, dedicated teams of poll workers to make every Election Day run smoothly. Poll workers are critical to our democracy. Sign-up today to serve your community.
Where can I receive assistance registering to vote?
If you are a student with a disability or medical condition and you would like assistance with voter registration, please visit the SAS Voter Registration web page for more information.
Are provisional ballots only counted if there is a close race?
False. In California, provisional ballots serve as a fail-safe method of ensuring all voters who show up to the polls can cast a ballot. ALL eligible provisional ballots are counted. County elections officials carefully check every provisional ballot to ensure the voter was registered and did not cast a second ballot elsewhere. Due to the additional human review and verification needed for provisional ballots, they are typically counted after Election Day and vote-by-mail ballots.


What is same day voter registration?

Same Day Voter Registration, known as Conditional Voter Registration in state law, is a safety net for Californians who miss the deadline to register to vote or update their voter registration information for an election.

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.

Visit caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov for a list of early voting locations where you can complete the Same Day Voter Registration Process. 

Need to register on Election Day? Use our polling place lookup tool to find your local polling location.

Have additional questions about locations where you can complete the Same Day Voter Registration process? Contact your county elections office.

Student Accessibility Services
  • Join an issues-based organization you care about
  • Text and phone bank on behalf of a candidate you believe in
  • Make sure your friends are involved
  • Talk to your family members about your concerns
  • Get the word out on social media
  • Stay active — and continue to hold your lawmakers accountable after Election Day
How can I get voter materials and assistance in different languages?
The Secretary of State offers voter information and assistance in English and nine other languages.  
Can I vote in person? Where is my polling place or vote center?

Yes, though mailing your ballot as soon as possible is the best way to get your vote counted fast. You can find out where to vote in the following ways: 

  • Check online 
  • Text “VOTE” to GOVOTE (468-8683)
  • Call the Secretary of State’s hotline at (800) 345-VOTE 
  • Check the back of your county Voter Information Guide, or contact your county elections office
In San Diego County, you have increased options. Visit the San Diego Registrar of Voters for more information.
What should I do if I marked my ballot wrong, or otherwise messed it up?
If you haven’t turned it in yet, you can exchange your mail ballot for a new one at an elections office, ask an election official at the polling place for a new ballot, or vote using a provisional ballot. If you have mailed or turned in your ballot, there’s no way to fix it. Contact your county elections office for a new ballot. 
What happens if I don’t receive my ballot?
Contact your county elections office. 
If I am in San Diego County, how can I found a trusted source to return my ballot?

Return your ballot by mail promptly so it is received well before the final day of voting, November 5. Find a U.S. Postal Service Collection Box (Blue Box) near you.

You also have the option to return your ballot to any of the Registrar’s Official Ballot Drop Boxes located around the county. Ballot Drop Box Locations (List) (Map)

Starting Saturday, October 26, you can return your ballot to any vote center through the final day of voting, Tuesday, November 5. Vote Center Locations (List) (Map)

Where is a Vote Center in San Diego County?

You can vote at any Vote Center in San Diego County.

What to Expect at a Vote Center

Vote Center Locations (List) (Map)

Same Day Voting - November 5

Same-Day Voter Registration

If you missed the voter registration deadline for an upcoming election, you still have the option to vote! California offers Same Day Voter Registration, also known as Conditional Voter Registration (CVR), at select locations, including any Vote Center in the county. Here’s how it works:

  • Visit the Registrar of Voters or a Vote Center leading up to Election Day, including Election Day itself. Those near MiraCosta College can visit the Vote Center at the Oceanside Campus, Board Room 1065 in the Administration Building, to take advantage of this convenient voting option.

    Vote Center Locations (List) (Map)

  • Complete the CVR application form on-site.

  • You’ll receive a ballot to mark your choices.

  • Place your completed ballot inside the CVR provisional envelope and seal it.

  • Once your registration is verified and it’s confirmed that you haven’t voted elsewhere in the state for the current election, your registration becomes active, and your vote will be counted.

After completing the process, you’ll also be registered for future elections if eligible.