To vote in person, Californians, you have until Tuesday at 8pm to get to a polling place and cast your ballot in the 2026 California primary election.
Here's what you need to know about in-person voting in what was a volatile, and surprising, election.
You can register to vote on election day. Here is the way
You can still register to vote on or before election day as a “conditional voter” through the same-day voter registration process.
Eligible citizens who need to register or re-register to vote within 14 days of the election can complete this process at a county election office, polling place or polling center.
Your submitted ballot will be processed and counted once the county elections office has completed the verification process.
Where you can find a voter near you
You can find your nearest polling place on the California secretary of state's website here.
In Los Angeles County, you can use the county polling place on the recorder/county clerk's website here.
Hours of operation of polling stations
From May 23 to June 1, polling stations are open from 10 am to 7 pm.
On June 2, election day, polling stations are open from 7am to 8pm across the state.
You can submit your vote by email to the polling station
If you completed your mail-in ballot, enter the polling station and ask a poll worker where to deliver your mailed ballot.
You can cast someone else's vote without you as long as you are authorized to do so and you don't get paid for each vote, according to the secretary of state.
What you can bring to your polling place as a first-time voter
In most cases, you don't have to show ID to the polling station staff before you can vote.
However, if you are voting for the first time after registering to vote by mail and you did not provide your driver's license number, state ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security number on your registration form, you may be asked to show some form of identification at the polls, according to the secretary of state.
In this case, you will need to bring both of the following:
- driver's license or national ID number
- the sample ballot booklet you received from your constituency office
Other acceptable forms of identification include:
- your passport
- your student ID showing your name and photo
- utility bill
- Bank statement
A complete list of acceptable voter identification methods to use when voting in person for the first time can be found here. If you have any questions, you can call the secretary of state's toll-free voter number at (800) 345-8683.
What ordinary voters must bring to the polling station
The League of Women Voters of California, a nonpartisan organization that works to protect and expand voter rights, advises that you bring your mailed ballot to the polling station.
If you did not submit your mailed ballotsome states will require you to vote using a provisional ballot that will be counted when election officials check your eligibility.
- Check with your local election office to understand your state's policy. In Los Angeles County, you can call the recorder/county clerk's office at (800) 815-2666 for more information.
- If you live in a “Voter's Choice” area — where voters can choose how, when and where to vote — you can cast a regular ballot at any polling station. Participating counties include: Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Humboldt, Imperial, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Merced, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Diego, Santaru, Santa Claranolum, Santa C. Ventura, Yolo.
Entering a polling place in Los Angeles County
Local election officials say you can save time at the polling station by scanning your “quick access code,” which verifies your voter registration.
The code can be found on your mailed sample ballot and polling station postcard. Take any of those copies to the polling station.
You can also get the access code by verifying your voter registration here. You will need to enter your last name, date of birth, house number of your residential address and your ZIP code. For assistance call, (800) 815-2666, Option 2.
How to vote in Los Angeles County
After logging in, a poll worker will lead or direct you to an available digital ballot marking device.
How to use a digital ballot marking device:
- On the touch screen, you will click the “click to start” button and select your preferred language.
- You will then be prompted to enter your vote. The screen will say “vote loaded,” and you will begin the voting process. If you have a problem, flag down a poll worker for help.
- On the next screen, click the “I want to start voting” button to select your vote.
- To see all the options for each race or rating, click the “more” button at the bottom of the screen.
- After clicking your choice, click the “next” button to get to the next question.
- Once you have completed your voting, you will be able to review your selection; you can press the “back” button to make any changes.
- You will then click the “Yes, ready to print” button, and your vote will print. You can also review the printed ballot before submitting it.
- Follow your polling station's instructions to submit your printed and completed ballot.
