YOUTH AND THE VOTE

2026

California provides resources for voter registration, vote-by-mail ballots, candidate research, ballot propositions, accessible voting, and language assistance.

OFFICIAL ELECTION INFORMATION
California Secretary of State
https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/

REGISTER TO VOTE
https://registertovote.ca.gov/

Use California’s online registration system to register or update eligible voter information.

OFFICIAL VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE
https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/

Read the official statewide voter guide, including information about candidates, ballot propositions, and voting procedures for the November 3, 2026, General Election.

COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICES
https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices

Find contact information for local election offices. County officials can provide details about polling places, vote centers, ballot drop boxes, and local election services.

ACCESSIBLE VOTING
https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voters-disabilities

Learn about accessible voting machines, curbside voting, assistance with marking ballots, and remote accessible vote-by-mail options.

LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE
https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/language-requirements

Review information about translated election materials and language assistance requirements.

VOTER HOTLINES
https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voting-california/voter-hotlines

California offers voting information by telephone in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese.

COLLEGE STUDENTS AND VOTERS LIVING ABROAD
https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voting-california/students

Learn how students living away from home can choose a voting residence and how eligible citizens living abroad can vote.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCE
California’s election website offers educational publications, accessible voting materials, and official

2024

TOP STRATEGIES/INITIATIVES TO INCREASE REGISTRATION & TURNOUT

Statewide Policies and Resources

• California Official Voter Guide.
• State ID rules and helpline for California voters.
• California: Election deadlines, dates, and rules

High school Initiatives

• State of California High School voting portal.
• Voter pre-registration 16, vote at 18. Register online.
• League of Women Voters California collaborated with Mixte on an award-winning campaign to motivate young voters via Snapchat (4.57 million impressions) and TikTok (1.4 million views).
• California Students Vote Project Social Media Toolkit.
• Proposition to allow 17 year olds to vote in primaries if 18 by general election was defeated.

College and University initiatives

• Voter registration for college students.
• California law requires community colleges and state universities to inform and mobilize student voters and increase civic engagement–Assembly Bill 963 Toolkit. 
• The Secretary of State and the California Students Voter Project sponsored the 2020 Ballot Bowl which resulted in 82,000 students registered on collaborating campuses. 
• 71 campuses participated in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge; 
  • 7 campuses won Platinum Awards for voter turnout rates > 80%.
  • University of California – Los Angeles had one of the best action plans for 2020.
• Many college initiatives, e.g. Pomona, VoteUSC, Stanford,
• CALIFORNIA CAMPUS VOTER GUIDE

Other Factors and Resources

• League of Women Voters, California Chapters.