General Election - November 3, 2026

General Election - November 3, 2026

Young voter with I Voted sticker
Type: 
News
The General Election will be held on November 3, 2026.  
  • All California active registered voters will be mailed a ballot for the General Election.
  • Ballots can be dropped off at a drop-off location, county elections office, or returned by mail.
 

Voting is easy! 

  1. Register to vote (new voters) or check your registration status (registered voters).
  2. See what’s on your ballot.
  3. Learn about the candidates and measures.
  4. Decide how you want to vote: drop off, mail or vote in-person.
  5. Sign up for Where's My Ballot to track the status of your ballot.
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Key dates: 

October 5, 2026: Ballots will be mailed by the county.
October 6, 2026: Ballot drop-off locations open.
October 19, 2026: Last day to register to vote in order to receive a ballot in the mail. (You can register in person after this date.)
October 31, 2026: In-person early voting locations open.
November 3, 2026: Last day to vote in-person or return a ballot by 8:00 pm. 

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Ways to Vote

Vote-by-Mail Ballots

All active California registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the Primary Election. After you complete, seal and sign your ballot, you can drop it off at an official dropbox or an early voting site, or you can return it by US Mail.

Drop off your ballot at a secure drop box:
Drop off your ballot at an early voting site:
Mail your ballot (US mail): 
  • Mailed ballots must be postmarked no later than November 3.
  • If mailing on Elections Day, get a hand-stamped postmark from a postal employee inside a United States Post Office. 

MAIL YOUR BALLOT BACK EARLY! 
To ensure your ballot is postmarked by Election Day, make sure you mail it at least 5 business days before Election Day.
Postmarks are applied by machines at processing facilities, not at local post offices. Recent transportation changes may result in mail not arriving at the processing facility on the same day that it is mailed. This means that the date on the postmark might not match the date you mailed your ballot, so you must mail your ballot early!

Vote in-person on election day:

  • On Election Day, you can vote in person at any polling place within the county between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm. However, your pre-printed ballot type is only available at your designated polling place. You can find your assigned polling place printed on the back of your Voter Information Guide or by using the My Voting Information Look-up tool.
  • On Election Day, you may vote in person at the Elections office from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. The Elections office is located at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez

Where's My Ballot App LogoTrack your ballot:
Check WheresMyBallot to find out where your ballot is in the process and when it has been accepted. 

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What's on the ballot?

The 2026 General Election includes Federal, State, and local contests. The specific races that will be on your ballot depend on where you live. 

Use VOTE411 to find your ballot and voting information

Vote411 logo

Enter your address here and click Get Started to see the candidates and measures that are on your ballot. You can also check your voter registration status, register to vote, check your election options and deadlines, and find your polling place and hours.

You can also use the VOTE411 widget at the bottom of the page or on the right menu bar to find your ballot and voting informaiton.

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Candidate Information

  • All registered voters will receive an Official Voter Information Guide from the state which includes statements from the candidates for statewide races.
  • For information about candidates in local races, see Contra Costa County Voter Information Guide which is mailed to every voter.
  • You can find information about candidates and measures on your ballot on VOTE411. 

Candidate Forums and Debates

Candidate Forums, debates and interviews are also useful ways to learn about the candidates and their views.

LWVDV Events:
Coming soon!
 
Other Events: 
Coming soon!
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Ballot Measures

To learn about the propositions, initiativers and measures that will be on your ballot:
  • See the California Official Voter Information Guide which includes details about statewide propositions.
  • See the Contra Costa County Voter Information Guide which is mailed to every voter for details on local measures. It includes the full ballot text, impartial analysis and official arguments for and against each measure.
  • Use VOTE411.
  • Watch for coverage in local news.
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Voter Resources

 
League to which this content belongs: 
Diablo Valley