Why vote? It’s your voice and your right!
Voting is important because it allows you to have a say in how your community and country are run. When you vote, you help choose leaders and make decisions on issues that affect your life. Your vote is your way of sharing your opinions and making sure your needs and ideas are heard.
California offers different ways for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to vote. The California Secretary of State has resources and information to support access and privacy in the voting process. Below are steps you can follow to vote in our state.
Register to Vote today!
The first step in casting your ballot is registration. Here’s how you can register to vote:
- Register online. Follow the steps on California’s voter registration website in your preferred language.
- Register by mail. Watch this video by the Secretary of State on how to fill out your Voter Registration Card (VRC) with American Sign Language (ASL).
The deadline to register to vote in California for any election is 15 days before Election Day. If you’ve already registered, make sure your information is up to date by checking your voter registration status.
Who can register to vote in California?
You can register to vote if you are 18 years old or older on Election Day and you meet all of the eligibility requirements on the Secretary of State’s website.
Now that you’re registered, make a voting plan.
Choose how you want to vote in your community:
- In-person at Accessible Voting Machines – You can use your address to find your polling place and see what’s on the ballot in your community.
- At home by Mail – You can contact your County Elections Office or request for vote-by-mail when you review voter status.
- In your car with Curbside Voting – Elections officials can bring voting materials to you in your car at the curb.
Remember: If you need support marking your ballot, you can choose someone to help you. You can also check with your local county election office to learn more about your options.
Get ready to vote. Know your rights and what’s happening!
To prepare for the next election, get to know your rights and what’s on the ballot.
- Watch this video from the Secretary of State that walks you through your voting rights as a Californian.
- Read the official voter information guide in your preferred language.
- Read the California Office of the Attorney General’s legal rights guide that tells you:
- The laws that protect voters with disabilities
- Your rights as a voter with disabilities
- How you can make complaints if you believe your voting rights have been denied
Encourage your friends, family, and those who you know in the disability community to vote and have their voices heard. Visit vote.ca.gov to learn more.
Last modified: October 8, 2024