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Register Online Now

Make sure you’re registered to vote on Election Day, June 2, 2026 — it only takes a few minutes! Use this same link to double-check your voting status or update your info.
Register to Vote

You can vote in the next California election if you are:

  • A U.S. citizen
  • A California resident
  • At least 18 years old on or before the next election
  • Not in state or federal prison for a felony conviction
  • Not declared mentally incompetent by court action

Choose Where to Vote

You will need to choose one voter registration address — whether it’s your dorm, your California permanent home county, or a different home state. You may register to vote using your permanent residence address, college residence address, or you can register using your permanent residence address and indicate your college address as your mailing address. 

2026 Election Season Key Dates

  • April 3: Voter Information Guide online version available
  • May 4: Mail-in ballots distributed (depends on California county)
  • May 5: Ballot drop boxes open
  • May 18: Last day to register to vote (without Same Day Voter Registration)
  • June 2: Election Day

Same Day Voting

Same Day Voter Registration, known as Conditional Voter Registration in state law, is a safety net for Californians who miss the deadline to register to vote or update their voter registration information for an election.

Eligible citizens who need to register or re-register to vote within 14 days of an election can complete this process to register and vote at their county elections office, polling place, or vote center.

Learn more and find locations via the California Secretary of State.

Official Voter Information Guide

The California Secretary of State will post the Official Voter Information Guide for the June 2, 2026 California Primary Election on April 3, 2026. Visit their website to view the Quick Reference Guide as well as full PDF versions of the Voter Information Guide in 9 languages.

Orange County Voting and Dropoff Locations

To find additional locations of secure ballot drop boxes, Orange County Vote Centers (for in person voting or to drop off your ballot), or the nearest USPS drop off point, visit the Orange County Registrar of Voters.

OC Registrar of Voters

Frequently Asked Questions

I received a vote-by-mail ballot but want to vote in person. Can I do that?

You can! The choice is yours. If you prefer to vote in person, bring your vote-by-mail ballot with you to your polling place or a Vote Center in your county. The staff at the polling place or Vote Center can then provide you an in person ballot.

I made a mistake on my vote-by-mail ballot or I lost my ballot. What should I do?

You can request a replacement vote-by-mail ballot from your county’s Registrar of Voters. For voters registered in Orange County, visit the OC Registrar of Voters to request a replacement ballot. To find contact information for other California county elections offices, visit the California Secretary of State.
Alternatively, you can choose to instead vote in person at a Vote Center in your county.

I missed California's May 18 registration deadline. Can I still vote in this election?

Yes! Same Day Voter Registration, known as Conditional Voter Registration in state law, is a safety net for Californians who miss the deadline to register to vote or update their voter registration information for an election.
Eligible citizens who need to register or re-register to vote within 14 days of an election can complete this process to register and vote at their county elections office, polling place, or Vote Center.

Will there be any polling locations on campus?

Yes! Details will be updated in early 2026, but there are typically Vote Centers in the UCI Student Center and in the University Hills Community Center. Avoid the lines and vote early!
To instead return a vote-by-mail ballot, you can drop your ballot at the Ballot Drop Box (off Pereira Drive near Mesa Court Housing and Parking Lot 5), place your completed ballot in a USPS mailbox, or deliver your ballot to a Vote Center.

I am living abroad. Can I still vote?
Absolutely! For California voters abroad, visit the California Secretary of State for more details on how to cast your ballot. You can also view this UCEAP blog post with additional resources.
I am registered to vote in a different California county. How do I cast my vote?
Vote.gov has a helpful guide to Voting as a college student which includes information for students attending college in a different county from their permanent/home address. In California, you essentially have three options:

  • Keep your voter registration as-is in your home county. You will receive a vote-by-mail ballot at your permanent residential address, which you can return by mail. (Or you can vote in person in your home county.)
  • Update your mailing address in your home county. You can keep your permanent address as your residential address, but update your mailing address to reflect your campus address. You will receive a vote-by-mail ballot from your home county at your campus mailing address.
  • Register (or re-register) in Orange County. You will receive a vote-by-mail ballot from Orange County at your campus address. (Or you can vote in person in Orange County.)
I am registered to vote out of state. How do I cast my vote?
Vote.gov has a helpful guide to Voting as a college student which includes information for students attending college in a different town or state from their home address.

More Voting Resources

Students Vote Project, register to vote.
Secretary of State - Voting In California
Vote.gov - Register to Vote in your State or Territory