Voter Registration Assignment
Summary of the Assignment
Review voter registration eligibility requirements
If eligible, check to see if you are already registered
If not, and you would like to become a voter in California, register or pre-register online
Watch some videos about voting
Eligibility to Vote
[Optional] Watch: Who can vote in California?
ALSO: To vote, you must be either
registered to vote at least 15 days before the election in order to receive a mail-in ballot OR
registered during the hours that Vote Centers are open. This is called "same day registration."
Voter Registration
(1) What is pre-registration
[Optional] Watch: Pre-register to vote (video by California Sec. of State's office)
[Teens age 16 or 17 can pre-register to vote. If you do so, you’ll be automatically registered by the County when you turn 18. The DMV now also gives new drivers the opportunity to register with their driver’s license application (“motor voter.”)]
(2) How to check if you are registered or pre-registered already
If you have a driver's license or California ID, you might be already registered or pre-registered.
Watch: How do I check my registration?
Check: Are you already registered or pre-registered? (requires at least one form of ID; okay to leave the other one blank or enter zeroes even though it has an asterisk signaling “required”):
Santa Clara County: Go to sccvote.org and click on "Voter Registration Lookup"
San Mateo County: Go to https://www.smcacre.org/am-i-registered-vote and click on “Am I Registered to Vote?”
(3) How To Register or pre-register to vote
(Optional but encouraged if you are eligible and aren't already registered!)
Watch: How to register online;
You will need the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) and/or your Driver’s License number
A printer may be required if you don’t have a CA driver’s license or ID number
Questions about completing your registration? Check out these FAQs or Email: lwvpaoffice@gmail.com
If you cannot, for some reason, register online, you can request a paper registration form by calling 800-345-VOTE. Forms are also available at the Registrar of Voters Office, U.S. Post Offices, Public Libraries, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and other government offices. Signed & completed forms must be returned in person or by mail.
(4) Track your ballot (optional but encouraged!):
Before you vote, sign up for "Where's My Ballot" to receive an email or text when your ballot is mailed to you, received by the registrar, and counted!
Not Eligible or Not Old Enough to Vote Yet?
(1) Watch: video about other ways to be an engaged citizen
(2) Volunteer as a poll worker. High school students aged 16+ can be paid or get community service hours for being an election worker. Visit the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters website before any election to learn more.