Bay Area voting guide: what you need to know before November election

OAKLAND, Calif. - This 2020 general election marks the first time every registered voter will be provided with a mail-in ballot in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

There are three ways to vote in California: by mail, early in person, or at the polls on Election Day.

Here is a complete guide with everything you need to know before casting your vote.

Your voting rights

California voting rights guide

Check to see if you're registered to vote

Voter status

How to register to vote

Register to vote online
Pre-register to vote online (16- and 17-year-olds)
Same-day voter registration (if registering or re-registering less than 15 days before the election)
To have a paper application mailed to you, call (800) 345-VOTE (8683)

Important dates

Election Day: Nov. 3, 2020 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Deadline to register to vote: Oct. 19, 2020
Early voting period: Oct. 5, 2020 - Nov. 2, 2020

Voting early

Some counties offer early voting at a few locations before Election Day. Contact your county elections office to see if they offer early voting.

Voting by mail

All registered voters will receive a vote by mail ballot for this election and voters should look for their ballot to arrive after Oct. 5. That means you have nearly a month to complete your ballot and send it off.

If you haven't received your ballot by Oct. 16, contact your county's election office.

After completing your ballot, insert it in the envelope provided and sign and complete all required information. Then mail it to your county elections official. It must be postmarked on or before Election Day and your county elections office must receive it no later than 17 days after Nov. 3.

With recent concerns regarding delivery delays with the U.S. Postal Service, voters are encouraged to complete and mail ballots early for this election.