California is committed to ensuring every voter is able to cast their ballot privately and independently.

How to Register to Vote

You can register and update your voter registration online or by completing a Voter Registration Card (VRC) with the help of our American Sign Language (ASL) video.

How to fill out a California Voter Registration Card (ASL)

Voter Bill of Rights (ASL)

Find out more information about your voting rights: Persons Subject to Conservatorship.

How to Vote

Vote-by-Mail

County elections officials mail vote-by-mail ballots to all active registered voters.   Any registered voter may vote using a vote-by-mail ballot instead of going to the polls on Election Day.

Voting at a Polling Place or Vote Center

If you need help marking your ballot, you may choose up to two people to help you. This person cannot be:

  • Your employer or anyone who works for your employer
  • Your labor union leader or anyone who works for your labor union

If you are unable to go to the polls because of conditions resulting from your absence from the precinct for an election, you may apply in writing for a replacement vote-by-mail ballot to be provided to representative. This application must be provided in person to your county elections office by the voter or the voter’s representative. 

Once you mark your ballot, you may return your voted ballot by returning it in person to any polling place or drop-off location and drop box within the state or the office of your county elections official.   Please note that  vote-by-mail ballots that are mailed must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than 7 days after Election Day.  If you are not sure your vote-by-mail ballot will arrive in time if mailed, bring it to any polling place in the state between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Vote-by-mail ballots that are personally delivered must be delivered no later than the close of polls at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Curbside Voting

Curbside voting allows you to park as close as possible to the voting area. Elections officials will bring you a roster to sign, a ballot, and any other voting materials you may need, whether you are actually at a curb or in a car. All polling places and vote centers are required to be accessible to voters with disabilities and will have accessible voting machines.

Voting at Home

Remote accessible vote-by-mail (RAVBM) systems provide an accessible option for voters with disabilities to receive their ballots at home and mark them independently and privately before sending them back to elections officials. When using RAVBM you can now mark your ballot by using your own compatible technology to vote independently and privately.

Accessible Voting Machines

You can also ask your county elections office about their Accessible Voting Machines.

Helpful Resources

Accessible Voting Information

Volunteer on and before Election Day

There are a lot of opportunities to get involved in the elections process. You could:

Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC)

The Secretary of State's Statewide Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC) is designed to advise, assist, and provide recommendations to the Secretary of State's office as to how voters with disabilities can vote independently and privately.

The State's VAAC members have been influential in assisting with numerous projects related to accessibility.

Meetings are held regularly, and members of the public are welcome to join via phone, on the web, or in person.

Guide to Creating a Local Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC)