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HomeElections CodeDiv. 2Ch. 2Art. 1§ 2119 Voter Registration Deadlines

§ 2119 Voter Registration Deadlines

Elections Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 2119 Voter Registration Deadlines

Key Takeaways

  • •You can register to vote anytime, except for the 14 days right before an election.
  • •If you move, you can update your voting address anytime before the 14-day cutoff, even by just sending a letter.
  • •If you register or update your address during the 14 days before an election, you can’t vote in that election.
  • •You can register online, by mail, or in person, but it must be done at least 15 days before the election to vote in it.

Example

You move to a new apartment two weeks before an election and forget to update your voting address.

If you try to update your address during those last 14 days, you won’t be able to vote in that election. But if you update it 15 days or earlier, you can vote.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 2119 Voter Registration Deadlines

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (d) and Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 2170), the county elections official shall accept affidavits of registration at all times except during the 14 days immediately preceding an election, when registration shall cease for that election as to electors residing in the territory within which the election is held. (b) Transfers of registration for an election may be made from one precinct to another precinct in the same county, from one county to another county, or for a residence address change within the same precinct at any time registration is in progress in the precinct or county to which the elector seeks to transfer. In lieu of executing a new affidavit of registration for a change of address, the county elections official shall accept a notice, a letter of the change of address signed by a voter as the voter is registered, or written notice. The former address shall be maintained with the voter record and the registration of the voter shall be immediately updated. (c) If the reregistration or transfer is from one county to another county, the county elections official of the county in which the voter was formerly registered shall be notified and the registration of the voter shall be immediately updated. (d) The county elections official shall accept an affidavit of registration or a notification for the forthcoming election and shall immediately update the address on the voter’s affidavit of registration accordingly if the affidavit of registration or notification is executed on or before the 15th day prior to the election and if any of the following apply: (1) The mailed affidavit of registration or notification is postmarked on or before the 15th day prior to the election and received by mail by the county elections official before the close of the polls on election day. (2) The affidavit of registration or notification is submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles or accepted by any other public agency designated as a voter registration agency pursuant to the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.) on or before the 15th day prior to the election. (3) The affidavit of registration or notification is delivered to the county elections official by means other than those described in paragraphs (1) and (2) on or before the 15th day prior to the election. (4) The affidavit is submitted electronically on the internet website of the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 2196 on or before the 15th day prior to the election. (e) If the registration, reregistration, or notification is executed during the 14 days before an election or is executed on or before the 15th day prior to the election, but does not meet any of the conditions set forth in subdivision (d), the registration of the voter or the update to the registration of the voter shall be immediately processed, but the voter will not be eligible to vote in that election. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 109, Sec. 3. (AB 2582) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

affidavits of registrationcounty elections official14 days immediately preceding an electionTransfers of registrationreregistrationnotification

Related Statutes

  • § 18104 Voter Registration Affidavit Return
  • § 2102 Voter Registration Requirements
  • § 2114 Cross-County Voter Registration
  • § 2120 Voter Address Change Rules
  • § 2122 Voter Affidavit Precinct Notations

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 2119.
View Official Source