Voter Registration

How and Where to Register

 

Registering to vote is the first step every citizen takes to become an eligible voter. Once registered, you can begin to strengthen our democracy by participating in elections, working at our polling precincts, and even registering others like yourself to become voters.

 

You may register by mailing a completed Voter Registration Form to the Elections office. Forms are available in person at public libraries, city and county offices, California Department of Motor Vehicles offices, and at U.S. Post Offices, or via on-line download. You may also call our office at (650) 312-5222 and we will mail a form to you within one business day.

 

• To pick up a Voter Registration Form in person, look at our index for a location near you
  
  
• To complete the Voter Registration Form on-line go to
  https://www.sos.ca.gov/nvrc/fedform/.

You may register at any time, but to be eligible to vote in an upcoming election, your Voter Registration Form must be postmarked no later than 15 days before that election.

 

Uniformed and Overseas Voters

San Mateo County voters who are overseas or in the military may register and apply for a Vote by Mail ballot by completing a Federal Post Card Application form (Standard Form 76). This form is available at your local US Embassy or by visiting the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at http://www.fvap.gov/.

 

Once your registration form is received and processed, we will send you a Voter Notification Card within 3 to 4 weeks indicating that you are now a registered voter. You can also check your eligibility online. If you are unsure about your voting status, please call the Elections Office directly at (650) 312-5222.

 

Voter Qualifications

You may register to vote if you meet all of the following requirements:

 

• Citizen of the United States
• Resident of California
• At least 18 years of age on or before election day
• Not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony.

Re-register to Vote

You must re-register to vote if you:

 

• change your name
• change your address
• want to change your political affiliation (party)

Cancelling Your Voter Registration

If you've moved out of the County or State, please cancel your voter registration.

Just fill out the attached "Authorization to Cancel Registration" form and sign and date it.  You may return it by mail, fax or email it to:

San Mateo County Registration & Elections Office

40 Tower Road

San Mateo, CA 94402

email:   registrar@smcare.org.

fax:        650.312.5348  

If you have any questions, please contact us at 650.312.5222.  Thank you.

 

Visit our Video Portal for video instructions on "How and Where to Register"