The Department of Elections Reminds New Voters to Register by October 19 to Receive a Ballot by Mail

Department of Elections
City and County of San Francisco
John Arntz, Director

For Immediate Release
SAN FRANCISCO, Thursday, October 15, 2026 – The Department of Elections reminds eligible San Franciscans who are not yet registered to vote to register by Monday, October 19, to receive a ballot by mail for the November 3, 2026, Consolidated General Election. The Department also encourages registered voters to confirm that their registration information is current.

“Registering by October 19 allows voters to receive their ballot in the mail and vote at their convenience,” said Director John Arntz. “Eligible residents who miss this deadline can still register and vote in person at the City Hall Voting Center through Election Day or at a polling place on November 3. We encourage everyone to review their registration now and make a plan to vote.”

Eligible residents can register or update their voter registration at registertovote.ca.gov or by submitting a paper registration form. Online applications must be completed by midnight on October 19. Paper forms must be postmarked or delivered to the Department by the same date.

Residents who miss the October 19 deadline can complete same-day voter registration and cast a provisional ballot at the City Hall Voting Center from October 20 through November 3, or at any San Francisco polling place on Election Day. Their ballots will be counted once the Department verifies their eligibility and completes the registration process.

Local voters can confirm their registration details by visiting sfelections.gov/voterportal or by contacting the Department of Elections at (415) 558-6100, emailing sfvote@sfgov.org, or visiting City Hall, Room 48.

More information on voter registration, including specific circumstances such as registering while a student, experiencing homelessness, or with criminal justice involvement, is available at sfelections.gov/registration.

For official, reliable information about the November 3 election, visit the Department of Elections website at sfelections.gov. Members of the public can also subscribe to Department news and updates at sfelections.gov/trustedinfo.

###