Your local guide to navigating the November 2026 General Election

Election DayTuesday, Nov. 3, 2026

  • Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day
  • In-person ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day
  • Mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3 and received within seven days following the election

Key Dates & Deadlines

  • Oct. 5: Start of the early voting period. County election officials will begin mailing ballots to voters. Ballot drop boxes open and early voting begins at the Alameda County Registrar of Voters’ Office, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  • Oct. 19: Last day to register to vote with a standard ballot. (Note: Conditional voter registration is available in-person through Election Day, which involves the use of a provisional ballot.)
  • Oct. 24: Alameda County Registrar of Voters’ Office opens for voting every day through Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vote centers open across the county, including the Pleasanton Unified School District headquarters (5794 W. Las Positas Blvd.), The Wave in Dublin (4201 Central Pkwy.) and the Bothwell Arts Center in Livermore (2466 8th St.).
  • Oct. 27: Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot replacement by mail.
  • Oct. 31: Additional vote centers open in Pleasanton, including Alisal Elementary School, Valley View Elementary School, Pleasanton Middle School and Harvest Park Middle School.
  • Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In-person ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3 and received within seven days following the election.

Check your voter registration

Make sure your registration is current. Voters should re-register if they change their name, political affiliation or residence.

Check your registration →

Vote by mail

Get details about the process of voting by mail, including information on the different ways to return your ballot.

Learn about voting by mail →

Vote in person

Find vote center locations, hours and information about early in-person voting.

Find where to vote →

Track your ballot

Sign up for the state’s “Where’s My Ballot?” tool. You will then receive notifications on the status of your vote-by-mail ballot, including when it’s mailed, received and counted.

Track your ballot →