Next date: Monday, October 19 (13 days). Last day to register, or to re-register after a move or a name change.
What's your situation?
I'm not registered yet
Register online at registertovote.ca.gov by Monday, October 19 (13 days). It takes a few days to process; a Voter Notification Card follows in two to four weeks. After the deadline, use same-day (conditional) registration: at any vote center, or at the Registrar of Voters, 5600 Overland Ave, San Diego, in the 14 days before and on Election Day. You fill out the registration, vote a ballot that goes in a provisional envelope, and it counts once your registration is verified.
Who can register: U.S. citizens who live in California, 18 or older by Election Day, not in state or federal prison for a felony, and not found mentally incompetent by a court. 16- and 17-year-olds can pre-register.
I moved or changed my name
You have to re-register: a new registration with the new address or name (online works). The Registrar uses your most recent registration, so you don't need to cancel the old one unless you moved out of the county. Do it by October 19 so this ballot goes to the right place; after that, use same-day registration at a vote center.
My ballot never came, or I lost or ruined it
Ballots went out starting October 5. First, look yourself up with the Registrar's voter lookup to see whether one was mailed.
Ask for a replacement by Tuesday, October 27, before 5pm: online (no printer needed), or the printable form by email (vbmreplacement@sdcounty.ca.gov), fax (858-505-7294), mail or in person, or call the Registrar at 858-565-5800 (toll-free 800-696-0136).
Or skip the mail: any vote center will give you a ballot (select ones from October 24, all of them from October 31). Made a mistake on your ballot? Don't initial or sign it to fix it; call the Registrar.
I can't get out to vote
If you can't pick up a replacement yourself, name a representative: sign the Application to Provide Vote-By-Mail Ballot to Representative and they take it to the Registrar in person. Voters with disabilities, and military and overseas voters, can use Remote Accessible Vote by Mail (mark the ballot on a device) and can do same-day registration remotely.
I want to know it counted
Sign up for Where's My Ballot? from the Secretary of State. It texts, emails or calls when your ballot is mailed, received and counted.
I'm sending it back
Sign and date the envelope yourself, the way you signed when you registered (if you registered at the DMV, the way it appears on your license or ID). Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before November 3 and reach the Registrar within seven days. Or skip the mail: drop boxes and vote centers near you.
The dates
- Mon Oct 19: Last day to register, or to re-register after a move or a name change
- Sat Oct 24: Select vote centers and the Registrar's office open daily, 8am to 5pm
- Tue Oct 27: Last day to request a replacement mail ballot, before 5pm
- Sat Oct 31: Every vote center opens daily, 8am to 5pm
- Tue Nov 3: Election Day: vote centers and drop boxes open 7am to 8pm; mailed ballots need today's postmark
A hand with the forms
Signing a parent up for Where's My Ballot, re-registering after a move, or the replacement request online: Text PJ. He helps with the forms and logins, never with how anyone votes. More: fall deadlines · the next 90 days (including the League of Women Voters' free talk on the state propositions, Oct 13 in Solana Beach).
Sources: San Diego County Registrar of Voters, registration · conditional registration · replacement ballot · vote by mail; California Secretary of State, same-day registration. Checked October 6, 2026. An independent local guide, not the Registrar.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
Local help, free to read: make your fix plan · senior benefits checkup · lower your SDG&E bill · Medicare Extra Help · the next 90 days. Plans start as low as $25.
Questions people ask
What is the deadline to register to vote in San Diego for November 3, 2026?
Monday, October 19, 2026, 15 days before the election. After that, you can still register same-day (conditional registration) at any vote center or the Registrar's office through Election Day.
I didn't get my mail ballot in San Diego. What do I do?
Check the Registrar's voter lookup, then request a replacement by Tuesday, October 27 before 5pm (online, email, fax, mail, in person, or 858-565-5800), or vote at any vote center from October 24.
Can I register to vote on Election Day in California?
Yes. Same-day (conditional) registration lets you register and vote at a vote center or your county elections office; the ballot counts once your registration is verified.
Does my mail ballot count if it arrives after Election Day?
Yes, if it is postmarked on or before November 3 and the Registrar receives it within seven days.
I moved. Do I need to re-register?
Yes. If you moved or changed your name, submit a new registration; the Registrar uses your most recent one.
Know someone who needs this?
Something changed here? Text PJ and we'll update this page.
More free local tools: the North County toolkit.