Today, September 15, is National Voter Registration Day, and it lands at a good moment: California’s midterm elections are less than two months away. Sacramento voters will decide federal races that could shift control of Congress, statewide and local contests, and 14 statewide propositions covering taxes, housing, elections, and voter ID. Even if you’ve voted for years, it’s worth confirming your registration is current, especially if you’ve moved or changed your name since the last election.
Registering in California requires a valid driver’s license or ID, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth, though voters without ID can still register through some additional steps. The last day to register for the November election is October 19. Miss it, and you’re not out of luck: same-day registration opens October 20 and runs through Election Day, letting you register and vote in a single visit. Mail-in ballots begin arriving October 5, vote centers open October 24, polls on November 3 are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and results are certified December 11.
With 14 propositions plus federal, state, and local races on one ballot, this is going to be a long one. Checking your registration now means you’ll have time to actually study what you’re voting on instead of cramming at the last minute. So, have you checked your registration status yet, or is that tonight’s task?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
