Tuesday, November 4, 2025

California Special Election Tuesday Features Extended Voter Access

All registered voters received mail ballots; vote centers opened up to 10 days early

California holds a statewide special election Tuesday featuring a single ballot measure.

Senate Bill 280 called the election, which was signed into law as Chapter 97 of the 2025 legislative session.

Every active registered voter in the state should have received a vote-by-mail ballot. Counties began mailing ballots Sept. 25.

The election includes several provisions to expand voter access. Voters can register and cast ballots conditionally through Election Day.

Vote centers in some counties opened as early as Oct. 25. Counties using the Voter’s Choice Act opened one center per 10,000 registered voters starting Nov. 1.

Ballot drop boxes have been available since Oct. 7. Traditional polling place counties provided at least two drop-off locations or one per 30,000 voters.

The voter registration deadline was Oct. 20. But conditional registration allows people to register and vote through Tuesday. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Vote-by-mail ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Tuesday if hand-delivered. Mailed ballots postmarked by today can arrive up to seven days later and still be counted.

Military and overseas voters can return ballots by fax through 8 p.m.

County elections officials must complete their official canvass by Dec. 4. The Secretary of State will certify final results by Dec. 12.

The state will mail voter information guides to households with registered voters. Counties will provide additional voter guides and polling place notices.

For more information about the special election process,  visit https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/.