It is important to update your voter registration when you move. This will ensure you are able to vote for all of the appropriate candidates and measures, and that you receive vital election information in the mail.
If you moved before the election but did not register to vote at your new address:
- More than 15 days and in the same county
- More than 15 days and to another county in California
- Within 15 days in California
More than 15 Days and in the Same County
- If you moved more than 15 days before the election AND you moved to another address in the same county you may vote a provisional ballot [1] at your new polling place or at the county elections office. The information of the provisional envelope will be used to update your address on your voter registration file. You can find the location of your new polling place by going to the website or calling your County Elections Official [2], by using the polling place locator on Smart Voter [3] (type in your address and zipcode) or by asking neighbors where they vote.
- You can go to the polling place assigned to your old address as your name will probably still be listed in their roster of voters.
More than 15 Days to Another County in California
If you moved more than 15 days before the election AND you moved to another county and did not register in that county, you may not vote in any local or state election until you register using your new address.
Within 15 Days in California
- If you moved within 15 days before any election to another address in the same county or to any other county in California, you may vote by returning to your former polling place. Make sure you check if the polling place location has changed or not ( see above).
- Or you may vote by requesting a vote-by-mail [4]ballot having the ballot sent to your new address. Remember that the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is 7 days before the election and ballots will not be mailed after 6 days before the election.
- If you moved within 15 days before an election to another address in the same county, you may instead choose to vote a provisional ballot [1] at your new polling place or at the county elections office.
If you moved, but don't meet any of the above conditions, please be sure to register in your new county before the next election!
Brennan Center for Justice's Voting After Your Move: A Guide [5] is designed to help voters navigate the diverse patchwork of state laws that govern voters who move.