in-person voting – With California’s 2026 primary election approaching, voters have until Tuesday at 8 p.m. to cast ballots in person. The state says same-day registration is available through the conditional voter process, vote centers run specific hours from May 23 to June 2,
For many California voters, it comes down to timing: Election officials say you have until Tuesday at 8 p.m. to get to a voting center and cast your ballot in the California 2026 primary.
If your plan has shifted. or you’re still not sure you’re fully set up. California has an option built for last-minute trouble. The state allows voters to register to vote on election day through the same-day voter registration process. including as a “conditional voter.” Eligible citizens who need to register or re-register within 14 days of an election can complete this process at a county elections office. polling place. or vote center. The ballot you submit will be processed and counted after the county elections office completes the verification process.
Finding where to vote in person
California voters looking for a nearby location can use the California secretary of state’s website to find their nearest polling place. In Los Angeles County, there’s an additional tool: the county’s vote center locator on the registrar-recorder/county clerk’s website.
Hours to know—May 23 to June 2
The window for in-person voting is clearly mapped out. From May 23 to June 1, in-person voting centers are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On June 2, election day, vote centers open at 7 a.m. and stay open until 8 p.m. across the state.
Even if you requested a vote-by-mail ballot, you can still use the in-person system. If you filled out your vote-by-mail ballot, you can walk into a vote center and ask a poll worker where to submit your mailed ballot.
California also allows drop-off for someone else—if you’ve been authorized to do so and you’re not getting paid on a per-ballot basis, as described by the secretary of state.
What to bring: first-time voters may be asked for ID
What you need at the polls depends on your registration history. In most cases, you are not required to show identification to a polling place worker before casting a ballot.
But the state draws a specific line for first-time voters who registered by mail and didn’t provide certain ID details on their registration form. If you are voting for the first time after registering to vote by mail and did not provide your driver’s license number. state identification number. or the last four digits of your Social Security number on your registration form. you may be asked to show identification at the polls.
In that situation, the secretary of state says you’ll need to bring both:
– a driver’s license or state identification number
– the sample ballot booklet you received from your county elections office
The state also lists other acceptable forms of identification, including your passport, your student identification showing your name and photographa, a utility bill, and a bank statement.
A complete list of acceptable forms of voter identification for first-time in-person voting is available through the secretary of state.
If questions pop up right before you head out, the secretary of state’s toll-free voter hotline is available at (800) 345-8683.
For regular voters: bring your mailed ballot, or be ready for provisional
The League of Women Voters of California, a nonpartisan organization focused on protecting and expanding voter rights, advises that regular voters bring the ballot that was mailed to them to the voting center.
If you didn’t bring your mailed ballot, the rules can vary by county. Some counties may require you to vote using a provisional ballot. which will be counted once elections officials confirm you are eligible. The state guidance is to check with your local county elections office to understand that county’s policy.
In Los Angeles County, the registrar-recorder/county clerk’s office can be reached at (800) 815-2666 for more information.
Voters in “Voter’s Choice” counties can get a regular ballot at any center
California also distinguishes counties where voters have more flexibility under the “Voter’s Choice” program. If you live in a “Voter’s Choice” county—where voters can choose how, when, and where to cast their ballot—you can get a regular ballot at any voting center.
Participating counties include: Alameda. Amador. Butte. Calaveras. El Dorado. Fresno. Humboldt. Imperial. Kings. Los Angeles. Madera. Marin. Mariposa. Merced. Napa. Nevada. Orange. Placer. Riverside. Sacramento. San Benito. San Diego. San Mateo. Santa Clara. Santa Cruz. Sonoma. Stanislaus. Tuolumne. Ventura. and Yolo.
Checking in with a quick check-in code in Los Angeles County
If you’re voting in Los Angeles County. local elections officials say you can save time by using a “quick check-in code.” The code verifies your voter registration and can be found on your mailed sample ballot and vote center postcard. You can also get the check-in code by verifying your voter registration online.
To retrieve the code, you’ll need to enter your last name, birth date, the house number of your residential address, and your ZIP Code.
For assistance, call (800) 815-2666, Option 2.
Inside the Los Angeles County voting process
After check-in, a poll worker will lead you or point you to an available digital ballot marking device.
The digital process runs through a series of on-screen steps: On the touch screen, you click “tap to begin” and then choose your preferred language. You’ll be prompted to insert your ballot, and the screen will display “ballot loaded” before you begin voting.
From there, you click “I want to start voting” to make selections. To view every option for each race or measure, you click “more” at the bottom of the screen. After you make a selection, you click “next” to continue through each question.
Once you’ve completed your ballot, you can review your selections. The instructions allow you to hit the “back” button to make changes. When you’re satisfied, you hit “Yes, I am ready to print,” and your ballot will print. You can also review the printed ballot before turning it in.
Finally, you follow the instructions of your poll center to submit your printed and completed ballot.
California primary 2026 in-person voting vote centers conditional voter voter registration vote-by-mail drop off Los Angeles County vote centers digital ballot marking device