California mails every active registered voter a ballot automatically, but your exact polling location and your ballot's candidates depend on your address. Here's where to look both up, plus a shortcut for the Sacramento area.
Most of California — including Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado counties — has moved to the Voter's Choice Act model: instead of one assigned precinct, you can vote at any open vote center in your county, starting several days before Election Day.
California Secretary of State's county-by-county directory — links to every county's own polling place or vote center lookup tool.
Open directory →Find early in-person voting locations and secure ballot drop-off boxes near any California address.
Find a location →Sign up for text, email, or voice alerts when your mail ballot is sent, received, and counted.
Track my ballot →California uses a "top-two" primary for most state and federal offices (U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Governor, and other statewide and legislative races) — the two highest vote-getters in June advance to November regardless of party. Exactly who appears on your ballot depends on your specific address, district lines, and any local races or measures — use a personalized lookup rather than a generic candidate list.
Nonpartisan tool from the League of Women Voters. Enter your address to see every contest on your ballot, with candidate-submitted statements and ballot measure explanations.
Preview my ballot →Full candidate lists by office — U.S. House, State Senate, State Assembly, statewide offices — with party, incumbency, and candidacy status.
Browse candidates →The state's own guide, mailed to every household — statewide candidate statements, ballot measure text, and arguments for and against.
Read the guide →