1. Make a Plan to Vote Early
Every active registered California voter will be mailed a ballot. You can fill it out at home and return it by mail or at an official drop box, or vote in person at an early voting location when one is available in your county.
Your early-vote checklist
- Check your registration and make sure your address is current.
- Read your ballot before you vote. State and local measures can take time to research.
- Choose how you'll return your ballot: mail, an official drop box, or an in-person voting location.
- Choose a day. Put it on your calendar instead of waiting for Election Day.
- Track your ballot after you return it so you know it was received and counted.
2. Why Voting Early Matters So Much This Election
This is a consequential, complicated ballot. Californians will choose state leaders and decide 14 statewide propositions, in addition to local races and measures. Give yourself time to read, decide, and make sure your ballot is cast.
- Don't leave your vote to chance. Illness, a family emergency, work, traffic, a long line, transportation trouble, or a last-minute problem on November 3 can't stop a vote you've already cast.
- You have time to fix problems. If you need a replacement ballot, discover a registration issue, or have a question about where to vote, acting before Election Day gives you more time and more options.
- You reduce Election Day pressure. Casting your ballot early spreads voting over more days and means one fewer person needs to vote on November 3.
- Returning a mail ballot early helps election officials process ballots sooner. California counties may begin processing vote-by-mail ballots before Election Day, although no results may be released before polls close.
- And yes: fewer reminders. Campaigns and voter-turnout groups use updated voting records to focus on people who have not yet voted. Once your vote is recorded as cast, many of the “please vote” calls, texts, mail and door knocks can stop or slow down, though not every organization's list updates immediately.
The simplest reason: if you're ready to vote, voting early removes opportunities for something unexpected to get between you and your ballot.
3. Get Other People to Vote Early
After you vote, spread the word. A reminder from someone people know can be as simple as: “I'm voting early! Have you made your plan yet?” Help friends, family and neighbors find official information and choose when and how they'll vote.
No Kings: Vote Early — On and Around October 17
The national No Kings: Vote Early initiative is organizing a coordinated day of action on October 17, 2026, focused on helping eligible voters make a plan, understand their options, and vote early where possible.
In California, ballots will already have been mailed and official drop boxes will already be open by October 17. That makes the weekend a good time to research your ballot, fill it out, return it at an official drop box or by mail, or help friends and family make their own voting plans. In-person early-voting availability varies by county at that point, so check the state's early-voting locator before heading out.
No Kings: Vote EarlyNonpartisan Voting Information
You don't need to rely on campaign mailers or social media to figure out your ballot. Start with official election information and independent, nonpartisan voter guides. For city, county, school-board and other local races and measures, also check the voter guide from your county elections office.