Forgot to vote in the 2026 California primary? Here are the next voter deadlines

You don’t have to vote in a primary to vote in a general election So, if you missed the chance to vote in the 2026 California primary on Tuesday, the California Secretary of State’s office has a list of deadlines leading up to the November general election.

All registered voters can vote in a primary or a general election, but voting in the primary is not a prerequisite to casting your ballot in November.

When is the general election and what deadlines do I have to meet before then?

• Voters can check their status at My Voter Status to confirm their mailing address and voting status starting Aug. 27.
• The state’s official Voter Information Guide will be made available online beginning Sept. 4.
• County elections officials will begin mailing ballots by October 5.
• Secure ballot drop-off locations open on October 6
• The last day to register to vote for the general election is October 19.
• The first vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties on October 24.
• In person early voting locations throughout California will be open on Saturday, October 31.
• November 3 is the last day to vote in-person or return a ballot by 8:00 p.m.
• Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked no later than November 3.

Allison Gibson

The Sacramento Bee

916-321-1083

Allison Gibson is the service journalism and consumer editor for The Sacramento Bee. She joined The Bee in 2026 after spending four years at a newspaper in Santa Rosa. She has spent most of her career in TV newsrooms across the country, including a 24-hour local cable news channel and an NBC affiliate in Iowa. She grew up in Pittsburgh and attended Ohio University.