After a busy primary season, it’s time to get out the vote for the 2026 Midterm Elections. We’re supporting pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot, as well as ballot measures that will improve and enhance the lives of all Californians.
The most important work happens in the lead-up to Election Day, making sure people are registered to vote, giving them the information the need to make a voting plan, and empowering them to vote early and on-time!
LGBTQ+ people are one of the fastest-growing and most important voting blocs in the country, making up nearly 8% of all voters in 2024.
Read below for all the info you’ll need to cast your ballot this year! Rise Up and Vote!
Voting by mail is SAFE and EASY — and you don’t even need a stamp in California! All active registered California voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for each election. If you live in California, click here to check your voter registration status.
If you are registered to vote in California, your county elections office will begin mailing ballots approximately one month before Election Day. It can take a few days for your ballot to arrive in the mail. Click here to track your ballot or click here to contact your county elections office if you think your ballot may have been lost in the mail. If you aren’t registered to vote in California, click here for more information about how to vote in your state.
When you receive your California vote-by-mail ballot, make sure to read and follow the included instructions carefully. After carefully marking your choices on your ballot, simply:
If you lost your ballot or didn’t receive it in the mail, voting locations will offer replacement ballots, voter registration, accessible voting machines and language assistance. Voting locations will be available in all California counties before and on Election Day. Click here to find an early voting location near you (beginning October 5, 2026).
Note: Due to delays in postal service that could affect delivery or postmarking, California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber and Attorney General Rob Bonta have recommended that ballots be mailed in by Tuesday, October 27, 2026. If you plan to vote between October 28 and November 3 (Election Day), it is strongly recommended you drop your ballot in a ballot box or vote in person.
The 2026 California General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Vote-by-Mail Ballots: • All active voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 3, 2026 Primary Election.
• County elections offices will mail ballots by October 5, 2026.
• Ballot drop-off locations open on October 5, 2026.
• Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or your county elections office.
• Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day (November 3, 2026) and received by November 10, 2026. Due to recent U.S. Postal Service policy changes, it is recommended that any mail-in ballots be sent and postmarked by Tuesday, October 27, 2026. If you plan to vote between October 28-November 3, 2026, it is recommended you go in-person or drop your ballot off an an official dropbox.
Early Voting:
• Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties beginning on October 24, 2026.
• Voting locations will provide: Voter registration Replacement ballots Accessible voting machines Language assistance
