Decision 2020

Planning to Vote? An Important Registration Deadline Is Here

All registered voters in California have been issued mail-in ballots, which will be counted if postmarked by Nov. 3.

In this March 1, 2020, file photo, voters prepare their ballots in voting booths during early voting for the California presidential primary election at an LA County "vote center" in Los Angeles, California.
Getty Images

Monday is the deadline to register online or by mail to vote in November's election.

You can click here to register.

If you miss the online and mail registration deadline, you can register to vote at early voting locations and even on Election Day, then file a provisional ballot.

Anyone can vote in November if they are a U.S. citizen and California resident, are 18 years old or older on Election Day, are not in state or federal prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony, and have not been found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.

According to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's office, residents can register in one of the following ways:

  • Mail a completed voter registration form, which can be obtained by picking up a voter registration form at most government buildings;
  • In person at one of the RR/CC offices or most government buildings;
  • Call (800) 481-VOTE, 800-815-2666, Option 2.

Officials say a number of citizens who thought they had registered at Department of Motor Vehicle offices are not actually registered. Although they checked the box on the DMV form indicating they wanted to register to vote, many forgot to complete the attached voter registration form. A voter registration form must be completed and signed in order to become a registered voter.

People who were previously registered in Los Angeles County and have not re-registered since they moved within the County's borders can vote at the polling place for their new address. They will be asked to vote a provisional ballot and provide their new address and previous address on the provisional ballot envelope.

All registered voters in California have been issued mail-in ballots, which will be counted if postmarked by Nov. 3.

Registered voters in Los Angeles County will be able to cast their ballot in person starting Oct. 24 at any of the county's more than 760 vote centers, which include Dodger Stadium, SoFi Stadium, Staples Center, The Forum and the Long Beach Convention Center.

Social distancing will be in place and masks must be worn while at the voting centers, although individuals wishing to vote and unwilling to wear a mask will be allowed to vote curbside, according to the RR/CC.

Additionally, voters can fill out sample ballots online and receive a QR code that can be scanned at the polls and speed up the process.

More information on the election, including the ability to check voter registration status and voting locations, is available at lavote.net.

NBCLA's Toni Guinyard and Oleevia Woo contributed to this report.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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