California Attorney General Rob Bonta urged voters Tuesday to mail their ballots at least a week before the Nov. 3 general election to avoid potential delays, while emphasizing the security of voting by mail and reminding residents of upcoming registration deadlines.
Bonta discussed election security, voting deadlines and protections for voters with disabilities during a news conference Tuesday in Los Angeles, three weeks before Election Day.
He reminded Californians that the deadline to register to vote online is Monday, Oct. 19, although eligible residents who miss that deadline can still register in person through the state’s conditional voter registration process.
“Election season is upon us, and with just three weeks until Election Day, now is the time to make a plan to vote,” Bonta said. “In California, every active, registered voter receives a ballot in the mail, and thanks to a major Supreme Court victory we recently secured, Californians can continue voting just as they have before — whether by mail, ballot drop box, early, or in-person on Election Day. Your voice matters — don’t miss your chance to use it!”
Under California law, ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by county elections offices no later than seven days afterward to be counted.
Bonta recommended that voters mail their ballots at least one week before Nov. 3. Those mailing ballots closer to Election Day can request a postmark at a post office counter or use an official ballot drop box or vote center.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, 148,241 mail ballots were rejected statewide during the June 2026 primary election, with nearly two-thirds rejected because they were postmarked after Election Day or received after the seven-day deadline.
Bonta also highlighted a California Department of Justice publication outlining voting protections for people with disabilities.
The publication, “Access to Voting for People with Disabilities,” explains federal and state requirements involving accessible voting facilities, parking, entrances and voting equipment, as well as the right of voters with disabilities who need assistance to receive it from a person of their choice.
Individuals who believe they have experienced disability discrimination while registering or voting can file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department.
Bonta also cited recent court rulings involving election administration and voting rights.
In September, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration from imposing new mail-voting requirements ahead of the November election, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Also in September, the California Supreme Court ordered the return of approximately 650,000 voted ballots seized by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and affirmed the attorney general’s authority to supervise county sheriffs, Bonta’s office reported.
In August, a state appellate court upheld a preliminary injunction blocking Shasta County’s Measure B, which would have eliminated voting by mail and most early voting while imposing new voter registration and identification requirements.
The California Department of Justice said attorneys and administrative staff throughout the state will be available to assist the Secretary of State’s Office in enforcing election laws before and during the Nov. 3 election.
Voters can register online at registertovote.ca.gov and obtain election information at sos.ca.gov/elections.
They can also track their ballots and confirm whether they have been counted at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov.
Suspected voting rights violations can be reported to the Secretary of State’s confidential voter hotline at 800-345-8683 or by email at elections@sos.ca.gov.
Information about ballot drop boxes and early voting locations is available at caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov.