Election Corner: Conditional Voter Registration

Did you miss the voter registration deadline? Don’t worry, you can still vote in the November 3 election!

What is Conditional Voter Registration (CVR)?

In California, the deadline to register to vote is 15-days before every election; for the November 3 election, the deadline was October 19. The voter registration deadline is in place to allow election officials ample time to print up-to-date voter rosters and materials to be made available at polling places and Vote Centers throughout the state.

Beginning in 2017, California began offering Conditional Voter Registration (CVR), also known as “Same Day Registration”, which is a safety net designed to allow Californians who miss the voter registration deadline to exercise their right to vote by following a few additional steps.

How can I register and vote with CVR?

If you missed the voter registration deadline but want to participate in the November 3 election, visit any Vote Center in San Mateo County and complete a conditional voter registration application. After completing the registration application, a Vote Center employee will give you a provisional ballot that includes all of the contests for which you are eligible to participate. After you cast your provisional ballot you will receive a receipt with a unique tracking number to track the status of your provisional ballot.

Will my ballot be counted?

Once you cast a provisional ballot under CVR, election officials will confirm that you are eligible to vote and that you did not vote by mail or vote in person on Election Day anywhere else in the state. Once confirmed, your ballot is prepared for counting.

To confirm that your CVR provisional ballot was counted, call the San Mateo County Elections Office at (650) 312–5222 and provide them with your unique tracking number.

What happens to my registration after this election?

After registering and casting a CVR ballot for the November 3 election, your voter registration will be active on file with the San Mateo County Elections Office. You will receive a vote-by-mail ballot ahead of each election at the address provided on your conditional voter registration application. If you move, change your name, or want to change your political party preference before the next election, you will need to update your voter registration with the San Mateo County Elections Office.

Where can I get more information?

For more information about Conditional Voter Registration in San Mateo County, go here or call the San Mateo County Elections Office at (650) 312–5222.

For more information about the 2020 Municipal Election, go here.

For more information about district elections, go here.