In California, voting dates depend on the specific election you’re voting in (statewide, local, or special elections). Here are the key upcoming timelines you’ll want to know:

• General statewide elections
  • Election day for statewide and many local races is typically the first Tuesday in November. For example, the statewide special election on November 4, 2025 is a current example, with early voting and ballot drop-off options available in many counties. Ensure you check your county’s elections office for exact hours and locations [web results indicate November 4, 2025 as a statewide special election date; deadlines and options vary by county].

• Registration deadlines
  • California generally allows online registration up to the registration deadline, with some counties offering same-day registration and voting at the county elections office or polling place. A common milestone is the 15-day window before Election Day for standard registration, with options to register or update your registration in person near or on Election Day in some cases. The specific dates can shift year to year and by election type (e.g., the October 20, 2025 deadline referenced for a particular 2025 election in some sources)].

• Ballot submission and return
  • If voting by mail, ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the county elections office within a specified window (often up to a week or more after Election Day, depending on the county). In-person ballot drop-off is usually available at designated ballot drop-off locations or at polling places through close of polls on Election Day. Check your county for the exact cutoff times and locations for the election you’re voting in (examples show Election Day deadlines and postmark requirements for the 2025 statewide special election).

• Early voting
  • Many California counties offer early voting at vote centers or county election offices in the weeks leading up to Election Day. The exact dates, hours, and locations vary by county and by election type (e.g., some sources show early voting periods from several days to multiple weeks before Election Day for the 2025 election cycle).

How to get exact dates for your situation

• Use your county’s elections office or the California Secretary of State’s upcoming elections page to confirm:
  • The specific election date
  • Registration deadlines and options (online, in person, or same-day where available)
  • Ballot return options and cutoff times
  • Early voting windows and locations around you
  • Any special rules for voter eligibility or conditional registration if applicable

If you’d like, tell me your county or city, and I’ll pull the precise election date, registration deadline, and ballot return deadline for the next election you’re eligible to vote in.