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California Voters Navigate Election-Day Rules on Poll Hours, Mail Ballots and Same‑Day Registration

Using drop boxes, vote centers, or a hand-stamped postmark is crucial today to make sure ballots meet the state's return and verification rules.

Overview

  • Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and any voter who is in line by 8 p.m. may still cast a ballot, with court-ordered extensions handled by provisional ballots stored separately.
  • Eligible residents who missed the May 18 registration cutoff can register and vote in person through same-day or conditional registration at county offices, polling places, or vote centers.
  • Vote-by-mail returns must be postmarked no later than Election Day and received within the state's seven-day window; mailing a ballot on Election Day requires a hand-stamped postmark from a U.S. Postal Service employee.
  • Voters can avoid postmark risk by dropping ballots in official drop boxes or handing them to a vote center; counties will perform signature checks and will notify voters with unsigned or mismatched envelopes how to cure them so the ballot can be counted.
  • After polls close counties will report totals to ElectionResults.sos.ca.gov, and voters can track their ballot status online to watch for signature-cure notices and final county updates.