Register to Vote

You may register at any time, but to be eligible to vote in an upcoming election, your Voter Registration Form must be submitted online by midnight no later than 15 days before that election. If you are mailing a Voter Registration Form, it must be postmarked no later than 15 days before that election and received by the San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division by the close of the polls on Election Day. 

If you miss the 15-day deadline to register to vote, you can register conditionally at 40 Tower Road, San Mateo. Other facilities may be open for conditional voter registration (CVR), depending on the election. Please check election-specific information for locations and dates. Conditional voters fill out a provisional ballot that is counted once their eligibility is confirmed.

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
• Not prohibited from voting by a court because of mental incompetency

Once your registration form is received and processed, we will send you a Voter Notification Card within three to four 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 San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division at 650.312.5222.

16 and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote if they meet all of the following requirements:

• Citizen of the United States
• Resident of California
• Not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony
• Not prohibited from voting by a court because of mental incompetency

Applicants will be sent confirmation when their voter pre-registration application is processed, or they will be contacted if more information is needed to confirm their eligibility.