Facts for New Citizens

Registration to Vote

After your naturalization swearing-in ceremony:

• Carefully read and complete the registration-by-mail form provided.
• Mail or return the completed registration to the Registrar of Voters Office.

Registration must take place at least 15 days before the election (see exception below).

You will receive a notice of your eligibility to vote within a few weeks after your registration is processed.

Important Exception

If you become a citizen after the 15-day registration deadline, you may still be eligible to register to vote before the next election:

• You must register and vote in person at the Registrar of Voters Office at any time beginning on the 14th day before an election and ending at the close of polls on Election Day.
• Bring your Certificate of Naturalization dated after the 15-day registration deadline.

Political Party Affiliation

California law permits you to register your affiliation with a political party, or decline to state an affiliation.

Prior to each election in which you are eligible to vote, you will receive a Sample Ballot which contains information on candidates and measures to be voted on in that election.

Tip: Mark your choices in the Sample Ballot and take it with you to the polling place to use as a reference.

At your polling place you will find additional voting instructions and pamphlets with State initiative and local measure information.

Vote by Mail

California law also permits voters to vote by mail. Refer to the Vote by Mail section of this website to learn more.

Election Information

On Election Day, polling places are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

The address of your assigned polling place is printed on the Sample Ballot, you may also use our Polling Place lookup to confirm the location of your polling place. If you have questions about your polling place, please contact the Registrar of Voters Office.

Registration Forms

For registration forms, call or write one of the following offices:

• Secretary of State
• Registrar of Voters Office

Volunteer as a Poll Worker

If you are interested in becoming a poll worker, refer to our Poll Worker Information section to learn more.