Your last-minute survival guide to voting on election day: California polling places, races, issues, food, sanity
So you are doing it the old-fashioned way — waiting till election day to cast your ballot.
You are not alone. Here is a guide for how to go to the polls, make sure your ballot gets in the right hands and survive this historic day.
In-person voting hours
All polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day.
Where to find your polling place
Polling place addresses are printed on sample ballots mailed to voters, but you can also find locations here by filling in your home address. For regional information:
Orange County voting centers and drop boxes.
Riverside County voting centers and drop boxes.
San Bernardino County voting centers and drop boxes.
San Diego County voting centers and drop boxes.
Ventura County voting centers and drop boxes.
Santa Barbara County voting centers and drop boxes.
Same-day voter registration
California has a program for same-day voter registration, which is known as conditional voter registration. According to the state: "Eligible citizens who need to register or re-register to vote within 14 days of an election can complete this process to register and vote at their county elections office, polling place, or vote center. Their ballots will be processed and counted once the county elections office has completed the voter registration verification process." More information can be found here.
Read more: What's on the November ballot in California?
Last-minute vote-by-mail
Ballots that are sent by mail must be postmarked on or before election day and received by Nov. 12, 2024, according to the state.
Dropping off a ballot on election day
Ballots may be personally delivered to any ballot drop-off box or polling place in the state. If you can't return the ballot, you can choose someone to return it for you. "Anyone may return your ballot for you, as long as they do not get paid on a per ballot basis. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must fill out the authorization section found on the outside of your ballot envelope," the state says. More details on how to do this are available here.
Dropped-off ballots must be received before polls close at 8 p.m.
Read more: Your guide to the 2024 California election
Misplaced ballots
Haven't received a vote-by-mail ballot, or it was lost or destroyed? Contact the elections office in your county to be sent a second one. Also, if you show up at your polling place, you can vote with a provisional ballot, according to the state. "Only the registered voter themself may request a replacement ballot," the state said. More on provisional ballot rules is available here.
Voting etiquette
Polling places have rules — including not intimidating other voters or compromising their privacy as they cast their ballots. But having a little fun is protected by law: You can take a “ballot selfie.”
Read more: Can you take a selfie with your ballot? What's legal in California
Tracking your ballot
After you’ve sent in your ballot, you can check here to track it online. You’ll be able to see when it was received and when it was counted.
When will we know results?
Experts say it could take days to know who won, especially in tight races. That has been the case in past congressional races in California. In some battleground states, various rules could result in slower counting. Mail-in ballots are another factor.
Read more: Vote-counting rules in battleground states complicate when a winner is likely to be named
What's on the ballot?
Read more: Voting last minute in the election? Here's what to know
Read more: 2024 California propositions voter guide: minimum wage, crime, marriage, healthcare, rent and more
Read more: Your guide to obscure but important L.A. City Charter amendments, county measures
Read more: Your guide to the L.A. County district attorney's race: Gascón vs. Hochman
Read more: Your guide to California's U.S. Senate race: Garvey vs. Schiff
Election day help and perks
Several organizations are offering child-care services for parents so they can vote.
Read more: Free child care? Yes, but only on election day
Need help dealing with election anxiety? Here are a few ideas:
Read more: Tacos, tonics and 'shadow work': L.A.'s answer to election anxiety
And here are five tips from experts for dealing with the stress of elections.
Read more: Election stressing you out? Here are 5 psychologist-approved tips to make you feel better
Or if you're looking for election day food freebies, we've got you covered:
Read more: 16 spots where L.A. voters can stress eat, drink and get freebies on election day
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
