Register to Vote

Go to the California Online Voter Registration website.  

The deadline to register or re-register to vote for any election is February 18, 2020 – 15 days before the March 3 Primary Election.

After February 18, Santa Clara County residents can still register to vote, update your voter registration and vote at one of the Vote Centers located in Santa Clara County.   Vote Centers are open starting February 22. 

If you recently registered online, wait at least 24 hours before checking your registration status.

TO REGISTER ONLINE, YOU WILL NEED

• Your California driver license or California identification card number,
• The last four digits of your social security number and
• Your date of birth.

Your information will be provided to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to retrieve a copy of your DMV signature.

If you do not have a California driver license or California identification card, you can register to vote at any of the Vote Centers in Santa Clara County.  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

See if you are registered to vote and if so, in what county.

If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can use this online registration application to pre-register to vote.

For more information on registering to vote you may want to visit the Secretary of State's Frequently Asked Questions.

Visit Voter’s Edge to find in-depth information about what’s on your ballot.

From Voter’s Edge you can

• Use your address to view your own personalized ballot.
• Get information on candidates, measures, and who supports them.
• Keep track of your choices and use them to vote.

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Reminder: You can register to vote online up until February 18 to vote in the March 3 Primary.

Need to check your voter registration? Check your voter registration status

Need to register to vote, or update your voter registration? Go online to register. 

Are you voting for President but registered as No Party Preference? Make sure you get the right ballot.

When you vote in a presidential primary election, it’s important that you get a ballot for the political party that you support. This can be confusing as there are many political parties but only the following six parties are qualified parties in California:

• American Independent
  NOTE: If you identify as an Independent/No Party Preference, chances are you do not support the American Independent party. An Independent voter is a No Party Preference voter. The American Independent Party is a conservative party.

• Democratic
• Peace and Freedom
• Green
• Libertarian
• Republican

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Political Party Ballot Guidelines for the Presidential Primary

1. If you are registered with one of the above-mentioned qualified parties, then you will receive a ballot for that party.
2. If you are a No Party Preference voter (Independent), then you can choose a nonpartisan ballot or a ballot from one of the following political parties:
   • American Independent
   • Democratic
   • Libertarian

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No Party Preference Voters

These three political parties have opened their presidential primary to No Party Preference voters.

This does not change your registration as a No PartyPreference voter. To request one of these three ballots:

1. Vote by Mail voters can request their ballot choice in advance in writing or by returning an unvoted ballot.
2. Voters can request a ballot at a Vote Center on or before Election Day.
3. If you are No Party Preference voter and want a ballot from one of the following parties, then you must reregister with that party:
   • Green
   • Peace and Freedom
   • Republican
4. If you are registered with one of the six qualified parties but you want a ballot from a different party, then you must reregister. The deadline to reregister is February 18. However, you can register conditionally up to and including Election Day at a Vote Center.

Santa Clara County is modernizing voting and providing voters with greater flexibility and convenience.

Registered Voters have New Choices for Voting!

1. Vote by Mail:

Once your ballot is completed, you may choose to return your ballot using any of the following options:

• Prepaid postage return envelope
• Official Ballot Drop Box on Foothill’s campus or other locations countywide
• ANY of the new Santa Clara County Vote Centers

OR

2. Vote in Person at one of the new 110 Vote Centers located across Santa Clara County.

Vote using your Vote by Mail Ballot or vote in person at any Vote Center located within Santa Clara County.  Vote Centers are universal polling places and will be open several days.  Vote Centers offer more services:  

• Accessible voting machines
• Ballot marking devices
• Drop off your completed ballot
• Receive a replacement ballot
• Register to vote or update registration information through Election Day
• Language assistance
• Election materials

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What is the Voter’s Choice Act?

The Voter’s Choice Act is a new law passed by the California State Legislature in 2016. The VCA was implemented successfully in five counties in 2018 elections.   Fifteen counties in California are conducting elections under the VCA model for the 2020 elections.

For more information, you can call toll free (866) 430-VOTE (8683) or email:  voterschoice@rov.sccgov.org