Make A Voting Plan
STEP 1: MAKE A VOTING PLAN
2025 CA Statewide Special Election Information:
- The last day to register to vote for the November 4, 2025, CA Statewide Special Election is October 20, 2025.
- All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 4, 2025, Statewide Special Election.
- Your county elections office began mailing ballots on October 6, 2025.
- Ballot drop-off locations open on October 7, 2025.
- Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or your county elections office. Polling site and dropoff box locations will be announced 2 weeks prior to the election.
- To make sure your ballot is counted, return it early by mail, drop box, or vote center.
- On November 4, 2025 polling site hours are 7:00am - 8:00pm.
- Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day (November 4, 2025) and received by November 12, 2025.
Most California voters at CCA can find relevant information on the Official Election Site of Alameda County or the San Francisco Department of Elections website.
Every state has different deadlines and voting rules. To check your state’s requirements, visit Vote.org and scroll down to find your state.
Check your voter status.
First, you should confirm that you're registered to vote by checking your voter status on CCA's Voter Registration Portal.
If you've registered in California, you'll automatically receive a vote-by-mail ballot. Ballots will be mailed a month before the election to every active, registered voter in California. If you register after that date, then you'll receive your ballot later. Go to the ballottrax website to track the status of your ballot through every step of the election process.
Registered to vote in the U.S. but not a California voter? Learn the rules in your state. If you are registered out of state, you may need to submit a request to have a mail-in ballot sent to you.
Time Off to Vote for Employees
As noted in the staff handbook, CCA employees may take a maximum of two hours off from work to vote in a statewide election without loss of pay. They should take this time off at the beginning or end of the regular shift, and when possible give their supervisor at least two days’ notice. Here is a link to the state-issued Time Off to Vote poster.
STEP 2: RESEARCH YOUR BALLOT
Decide how you will cast your vote.
In Bay Area counties, you are voting on one proposition: California Proposition 50
(Sources: CA Official Voter Information Guide and KQED)
Voting someplace else? What are the issues and races in your voter district? Research the pros and cons of each issue. Look up info on the candidates that are running and see how their policies and voting records align with your own values.
Here are a few nonpartisan sites you can check out. They don't make endorsements; they present the information needed to make your own voting decisions.
Ballotpedia: Compare candidates and issues across parties and sample ballots—specific to your zip code.
Ballotready: Learn about the candidates and referendums on your ballot.
Vote411: Presented by the League of Women Voters of California, this site provides personalized information on how to vote and compares candidates and issues.
SF Elections: San Francisco residents can access the city's official voter guide online.
STEP 3: VOTE!
How to VOTE EARLY (strongly recommended).
We highly recommend that you VOTE EARLY to ensure that your ballot is counted. You can mail in your absentee or mail-in ballot at least a week or two in advance of Election day, or drop off your ballot at a local Elections dropoff box. Or you can vote early in person. For your vote to count, 30 of the 50 states require that your ballot be received by Election Day. To check your state’s requirements, visit Vote.org and scroll down to find your state.
How to vote on Election Day.
Go to Vote.org and scroll down to find your state. If you live in Founders Hall, head to 299 Vermont St. (Fire Station on corner of 16th/Vermont) to vote in person. If you live in Blattner Hall, head to 500 De Haro Street (St. Gregory of Nyssa Church). If you live elsewhere, look up your polling place. You may be asked to provide a photo id or residence identification (bill or mail with your name and address on it) so please bring that with you.
- Drop off your ballot at any polling or dropoff location near you.
- Return your ballot via mail (USPS mail box). It must be picked up early enough to be postmarked by USPS on November 4, 2025.
- Vote in person (and register too, if necessary) ON Election Day between 7am and 8pm. Be sure to look up your polling location in advance so you can plan how to get there or text Vote to GOVOTE (468683).