California

Registered voters do not need to provide an ID when they vote, except for some first-time voters.

California ID Requirements for Voting In Person

You do not need to show ID when you vote in person.

BUT: If it is your first time voting in a federal election in California, please see the federal ID requirements for first-time voters. A federal election is when you vote for the President, your Congressional Representative or your Senators.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

You may register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day during any early voting period through Election Day (which is known in California as “Conditional Voter Registration”) at your local polling place.

If you need to show ID to complete your voter registration, whether you can show your ID on an electronic device may depend on the county where you reside and vote. If it is your first time voting in a federal election in California, please see the federal ID requirements for first-time voters.

California ID Requirements for Voting By Mail

You do not need to provide a copy of your ID to vote by mail in California.

BUT: If it is your first time voting in a federal election in California, please see the federal ID requirements for first-time voters. A federal election is when you vote for the President, your Congressional Representative or your Senators.

The signature on your mail-in ballot must match your signature on file with the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you fail to sign your ballot’s identification envelope, you can complete and submit an unsigned ballot statement to a polling place within your county or a ballot dropoff box prior to closing of the polls on election day. Otherwise, you can complete and submit the unsigned ballot statement at the office of the elections official no later than 5 p.m. two days prior to certification of the election.

If your signature on your ballot’s identification envelope does not match your signature on file with the state, you will be notified at least eight days prior to the certification of the election that you need to submit a signature verification statement. The signature verification statement must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. two days prior to the certification of the election.