California voters are on a deadline.
Monday, May 18, marks the final day for eligible residents to register for the June 2 primary, during which millions will receive mail-in ballots in anticipation of a packed election cycle.
Every active registered voter in California is set to get a mail-in ballot for this primary election, with county officials having started to distribute these ballots earlier this month.
Officials are encouraging everyone to verify their registration status or submit a new application online before the clock runs out.
If someone happens to miss Monday’s deadline, there’s still some hope.
California’s Same-Day Voter Registration or Conditional Voter Registration Act permits eligible residents to register and vote in person at designated locations right up until Election Day. However, ballots cast during this process may need additional verification before being fully counted.
People can register online, via mail, or in person, with applications also available at governmental offices like the DMV, libraries, or county election hubs.
Residents might want to check their registration status on the Secretary of State’s Voter Status Portal as well.
To register, applicants should provide a California driver’s license or ID card reflecting their birth date and the last four digits of their Social Security number. This data will be cross-verified with DMV records. If everything lines up, the DMV will append your signature to your voter registration form.
Do note, if you can’t find your records, the alternative would be to print, sign, and mail in a paper application.
In either scenario, your application will need to be reviewed by a county election official, who will inform you whether your application is accepted or if they require further information, as explained by the California Secretary of State.
The June 2 primary is anticipated to significantly influence several key races, including the prominent California gubernatorial contest, as voters start to narrow down the candidates ahead of the general election.
