How late can I drop off my ballot in California? Mail it? What to know on Election Day
How late is too late to drop off your California ballot?
Can you still get in line at 7:59 p.m. on Election Day?
By voting in the 2024 election, Californians can help choose the next president and vice president of the United States, elect U.S. senators and representatives and make their voices heard on a number of ballot propositions.
If you’re planning on taking your ballot to the polls on Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 5 — here’s what you need to know about the ballot deadline:
When is Election Day?
The 2024 general election is on Tuesday, March 5.
This election includes candidates for president, U.S. senators and representatives as well as local and state races and a ballot proposition.
When are voting centers open? When do polls close?
Poll hours for Election Day in California:
On Election Day, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. At 8 p.m., county elections officials will begin tallying the results.
How late is too late to drop off a ballot in California?
According to California’s Voter Bill of Rights, you have the “right to vote if you are still in line when the polls close.”
“If a voter is in line to vote when the polls close they have the right to vote,” the California Secretary of State’s Office told The Sacramento Bee via email.
What is the latest time to get in line?
Be in line by 7:59 p.m.
“The lines will be cut off at 8 p.m.,” the California Secretary of State’s Office said.
How late can I mail in my ballot?
When mailing in your ballot, the California Secretary of State website says the ballot “must be postmarked on or before Election Day” and received no later than seven days after Election Day.
How late can I take my ballot to a drop-off location?
No later than 8 p.m. on Election Day, the website says.
You can take your mail-in ballot to a drop box or a voting center.
You can find your nearest location on the California Secretary of State’s website.
Have a question about the 2024 election season?
Ask the California Service Journalism Team
You can submit questions directly to our reporters by emailing servicejournalists@sacbee.com or by filling out the form below. We have reporters covering Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, San Luis Obispo and Merced.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 5:00 AM with the headline "How late can I drop off my ballot in California? Mail it? What to know on Election Day."
