Every election is an opportunity for Californians to make their voices heard. But before you can cast your ballot, you need to make sure you are registered to vote.
As a civil rights and voting rights organization, the NAACP California Hawaiʻi State Conference recognizes voting as a fundamental right and a critical tool for civic participation. Every election is an opportunity for Californians to make their voices heard. Before casting your ballot, make sure you’re registered and ready to participate.
1. Are You Eligible to Register?
Make sure you meet California’s voter eligibility requirements. Generally, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen and a resident of California.
- Be 18 years old or older on Election Day.
- Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony
- Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court
2. Unsure if you are Registered? Already registered? Start by checking your voter registration status. This is especially important if you have recently moved, changed your name or want to confirm that your information is current.
The easiest option for many voters is to register online:
Check Your Voter Registration Status — California Secretary of State
3. Choose How You Want to Register
Eligible Californians can register to vote online or using a paper voter registration application. Paper applications are available through county elections offices, libraries, DMV offices and U.S. post offices.
The easiest option for many voters is to register online linked here.
4. Complete Your Registration
If you register online, follow the instructions provided through California’s official voter registration system and carefully review the information you enter before submitting your application.If you register online, follow the instructions provided through California’s official voter registration system and carefully review the information you enter before submitting your application.
If you register using a paper form, complete the application accurately and completely and return it according to the instructions provided by your county elections office.
5. Confirm Your Registration
After submitting your application, take a moment to verify your registration status through the California Secretary of State’s voter status tool.
Keeping your voter registration information current helps ensure that election officials have the correct information for you.
Don’t Wait—Get Registered
Visit the official California Secretary of State voter registration website:
For additional election information and voter resources, visit:
California Secretary of State — Elections and Voter Information
For additional information on Knowing the Issues, visit:
https://naacp.org/find-resources/know-your-rights/democracy-voting
Your voice matters. Make sure you’re registered and ready to participate in the 2026 November Election.
