How to Search California Voter Records (Start Here)

Voter registration records in California are maintained by county election offices and the state Secretary of State (or equivalent). Voter rolls are public records in most states, but access rules vary.

What this page covers: California voter registration lookups, election results, and campaign filing databases. What it does not cover: How individuals voted (ballots are secret) or federal election data (that is on the FEC page).

Where to start: To verify your own voter registration, use the state's online voter lookup tool (usually on the Secretary of State website). For voter roll data, contact the county election office.

Common mistake: Voter registration records show who is registered and where — they do not show how someone voted. Ballot secrecy is protected by law.

Statewide elections agency
California Secretary of State Elections Division
Statewide voter database
VoteCal
Check status / polling place
My Voter Status (voterstatus.sos.ca.gov)
Online registration
registertovote.ca.gov
County administrator
Registrar of Voters or County Clerk (58 counties)
Confidential fields
DOB, DL#, SSN digits, signature

How California Voter Records Work — Deep Dive

State and county responsibilities

The Secretary of State certifies elections, maintains VoteCal (the statewide voter database) and runs the public-facing lookup tools. Day-to-day voter-roll maintenance — registration intake, signature verification, vote-by-mail ballots, polling places — is the responsibility of each of California's 58 elected County Registrars of Voters (or, in some smaller counties, the County Clerk). Los Angeles County's Registrar/Recorder publishes its own status tool [lavote.gov] and Yolo County its own [ace.yolocounty.gov].

Online registration and verification

Eligible voters can register or update their record online at registertovote.ca.gov (the system uses DMV signature data for identity verification when available). Federal voter-registration links are also available via vote.gov. To verify current status, polling location, vote-by-mail ballot tracking and party affiliation, use My Voter Status — results are live against the VoteCal database.

What's public and what isn't

California Elections Code §2194 makes the voter file available only for election, scholarly, journalistic, political or governmental purposes — not commercial use. Date of birth, driver's license number, social-security digits and signatures in the voter record are confidential and never released. Bulk data requests are processed by the Secretary of State; individual lookups are restricted to confirming your own registration through the My Voter Status portal.

Frequently Asked Questions: California Voter Records

Use the official My Voter Status portal — it returns your registration status, party preference, address on file, polling place and vote-by-mail tracking from the VoteCal database.

Online at registertovote.ca.gov, by paper form available from any county elections office, or through DMV motor-voter at license renewal.

Both. The Secretary of State certifies elections and maintains the VoteCal master database; each of the 58 counties runs day-to-day registration, vote-by-mail and polling-place operations through its Registrar of Voters or County Clerk.

Only their existence as a registered voter and basic public fields can be confirmed for election/scholarly/journalistic/political/governmental purposes per California Elections Code §2194 — not commercial uses. DOB, DL#, SSN digits and signature are confidential.

California uses BallotTrax-style tracking integrated into the My Voter Status portal — you'll see when your ballot was mailed, received and counted.

Last reviewed:
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: California voter records URL verified against the official state publisher at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov on the review date. 7 primary .gov sources cited below.

California Voter Records — Key Facts (2026)

Voter registration, voting history, and election administration in California — what's public, what's not, and what 2024-2026 changed.
Public
Registration record
In most states
Secret
Your ballot choice
Constitutionally protected
State-run
Elections administration
Federal sets standards
EAVS
Federal election survey
Biennial — next 2026
65.3%
U.S. turnout (2024)
Census voting tables
What's public vs. private in a California voter record
Your name & address
100%
Party affiliation
80%
Did you vote
100%
How you voted
0%
Your driver's license
0%
Your SSN
0%
Unit: % publicly searchable.

What Changed in 2026 — California Voter Records

2026
California voter records portal active
The official California portal at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for voter records in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for voter records
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission at www.eac.gov provides federal-level context that complements California state records.
2026
California access in 2026
For 2026, California continues to publish voter records information through state-authorized portals; check voterstatus.sos.ca.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE California's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.

The 3-Tier California Voter Records Access

1
Tier 1 — Your own record
California lets every voter check their own registration status online — always free.
2
Tier 2 — Public voter file
California statewide voter file may be sold or restricted, depending on state law.
3
Tier 3 — Voting history
Whether you voted (not how) is public in most states. The ballot is secret.

Five Things People Get Wrong About California Voter Records

❌ Myth: "California voter rolls are secret."
✓ Truth: False. The list of registered voters is public in most states (sometimes with restrictions on commercial use).
❌ Myth: "Who I voted for is public."
✓ Truth: False. The ballot is secret. Only WHETHER you voted is recorded.
❌ Myth: "Federal government runs California elections."
✓ Truth: False. Elections are run by 50 states + DC. The EAC sets standards, not administration.
❌ Myth: "Voter registration purges are illegal."
✓ Truth: False. NVRA allows list maintenance under specific rules. EAVS tracks this every 2 years.
❌ Myth: "I can buy a national voter file."
✓ Truth: False. There is no national voter file. You buy each state file separately (where allowed).

Primary Sources and Official Record Portals

Related Voter Records Resources

Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Voter records
Sample California counties: Alameda · Alpine · Amador · Butte · Calaveras

Voter Records Databases

31 official California voter records sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Voter Records

Official Election Site of Alameda County
Official Free
Information on voter registration history, breakdown by party, language and more, updated daily. Learn More about Registration · Information on Vote by Mail ballots issued and returned by party and more. Learn More about Vote by Mail · Fill out the form to make a California Public Records Act request. REQUEST PUBLIC RECORD · Maps showing precincts, Federal, State, County, City, School, and Special districts. ... Alameda County Registrar of Voters is committed to ensuring that its website is accessible to people with disabilities.
🌐 acvote.alamedacountyca.gov
Colusa County | Colusa County, CA - Official Website
Official Free
Colusa County was established in 1850 as one of the original 27 counties created by the first state legislature . It once encompassed all of what is now Glenn County and a portion of Tehama County. In 1891, the counties of Glenn and Colusa were split.
🌐 countyofcolusaca.gov
Welcome to the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder – Contra Costa County
Official Free
To help reduce the rate of COVID-19 transmission, customers are urged to use online services for transactions or mail documents and forms to: Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder 555 Escobar St., Martinez, CA 94553. Requests may also be deposited in the mail drop box outside the Clerk-Recorder’s ...
🌐 contracostavote.gov
Home - County of Fresno
Official Free
On Display Indefinitely · In response to the rapid rate of growth of the Fresno June Lightning Complex Fire (Bolt, Hog and Flash) and subsequent evacuation orders, the Fresno County Administrative Officer/Emergency Services Director Paul Nerland has proclaimed a Local Emergency
🌐 fresnocountyca.gov
Kern
Official Free
permanent vote-by-mail status . When a county elections official receives and
🌐 elections.co.kern.ca.us
Check Your Voter Registration Status :: California Secretary of State
Official Free
Need to check what name you're registered under or what political party you're registered with? Check your registration status online at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov . Some county elections officials also allow you to check the status of your voter registration through their website, by telephone, or both.
🌐 sos.ca.gov
Departments | Marin County
Official Free
Maintains the County’s debt and investments, reports cash flow and banking. Manages estates and makes final arrangements for residents who die without a will or support to resolve their estate. Fire Department Protects Marin residents from fires and natural disasters.
🌐 marincounty.gov
Track your vote by mail ballot | Marin County
Official Free
When you sign up you will automatically get notifications for the current election and all elections in the future. To receive automatic email, SMS (text), or voice call notifications about your ballot status, click on the sign-up button . ... Marin County: Elections: Information on voting by mail.
🌐 marincounty.gov
Burn Information - MCAQMD - Mendocino County
Official Free
When Mendocino County is in 'Burn Ban/Burn Suspension' - All open burning permits are SUSPENDED . Campfires may be permitted by CalFire. ... The California Department of Forestry - State Responsibilty Area (SRA), and Fire Protection - Local Responsibilty Area (LRA), and the Air Quality Management ...
🌐 co.mendocino.ca.us
Services | Napa County, CA
Official Free
Our vision is to empower residents, businesses and governments within Napa County to better engage with the world using universal, affordable and reliable broadband high-speed internet service and the technologies that are enabled by it.
🌐 napacounty.gov
EL45A OFFICIAL RESULTS Summary Results Report 24GEN115 Orange County
Official Free
Orange County · November 5, 2024 · No. 4 Constitutional Amendment · Vote For 1 · TOTAL VOTE % ED-DS300 AV-DS950 EV-DS300 · Yes · 383,391 · 62.49% 89,847 · 107,308 · 186,236 · No · 206,093 · 33.59% 56,975 · 38,096 · 111,022 · Overvotes · 377 ·
🌐 ocfelections.gov
Voter Registration and Elections - Sacramento County
Official Free
Voter Registration and Elections
🌐 myvoterportal.saccounty.gov
San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Elections - ACRE
Official Free
The Office of Mark Church, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Chief Elections Officer of San Mateo County
🌐 smcacre.gov
Santa Barbara County, CA - Official Website | Official Website
Official Free
Official source for voter records (www.countyofsb.org).
🌐 countyofsb.org
FY 25-26 Budget Hearing Response to: Budget-Related Request for Information
Official Free
investigations, protect residents, and deter crime in Santa Clara County.
🌐 eservices.sccgov.org
Find Vote Center
Official Free
County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters SCCVote Application
🌐 rovservices.sccgov.org
Santa Cruz County Elections Department
Official Free
If you are looking to submit a Public Records Act request to the County: · Address: 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
🌐 votescount.santacruzcountyca.gov
County Of Sonoma
Official Free
We’re bringing essential County services directly into Sonoma County communities. Our mobile vans make it easier for residents to access benefits, health resources, and family support.
🌐 sonomacounty.gov
Language Assistance - Elections - StanVote - Stanislaus County
Official Free
You also may call or mail, fax or email a request to receive a facsimile ballot by mail in Khmer, Punjabi or Syriac (Assyrian). Click on the link below for the form. The elections official must receive the request no later than 7 days before Election Day. ... CLICK HERE for a facsimile ballot request form. ... Public Notices Voter's Choice Act Language Assistance Español RAVBM (Remote Accessible Vote By Mail) Election Results Campaign Disclosure Accomplishments County Clerk / Recorder
🌐 stanvote.gov
Tehama County | Welcome to the Tehama County Website!
Official Free
With more than 300 miles of trails (including 17 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail) and Lassen Volcanic National Park only forty-five miles to the east, Tehama County offers unlimited recreational opportunities. ... Red Bluff is strategically located on Interstate 5 providing direct one day access between Seattle and Los Angeles. ADA Coordinator Birth & Death records Marriage Services Fish & Game Commission Official Records Board of Supervisors meetings · Forms & Publications Bidding Opportunities SB 272 Enterprise Software Catalog California Emergency Disaster Information County Budgets &…
🌐 tehama.gov
Ventura County, CA – County Clerk and Recorder / Registrar of Voters
Official Free
The County Clerk-Recorder has two locations for your convenience. When you make your appointment (above) you will have your choice of locations. You can make an appointment for most services at either location: Ventura County Government Center: Monday – Friday Counter Hours from 8am to 4:45pm
🌐 recorder.countyofventura.org
Vote-by-Mail Voting | Yolo County ACE Department, CA
Official Free
By law, all voters eligible for an election will be mailed an official ballot 29-days prior to Election Day . We welcome and encourage members of the public to visit our office and observe how we process and count ballots. Drop off your ballot directly to us - safely and securely at a Ballot ...
🌐 ace.yolocounty.gov
Voter Registration | Yolo County ACE Department, CA
Official Free
Help keep Yolo County's voter registration database clean and accurate by using these forms. Names of potential jurors are randomly selected from the list of citizens from the California Franchise Tax Board, Department of Motor Vehicles and from the voter registration rolls.
🌐 ace.yolocounty.gov
Butte County Clerk Recorder, CA | Official Website
Official Free
Butte County Grand Jury · Public Records Act Request · California Secretary of State · U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs · California Legislative Information · California Department of Public Health · /QuickLinks.aspx · Home · Site Map · Contact Us · Accessibility · Copyright Notices · Privacy Policy · /QuickLinks.aspx · Government Websites by CivicPlus® ·
🌐 buttevotes.ca.gov
PrecinctsMapsApplication
Official Free
Los Angeles County · Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk · LAVOTE.GOV · About Us · Contact · LAVOTE.GOV · About Us · Contact · Precincts Maps · Vote By Mail Application · Vote By Mail Status · Apply to be an Election Worker ·
🌐 lavote.gov
FINAL EAP (03/08/2022) - Page 1 of 103 COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
Official Free
California Gubernatorial Recall Election. Over 1.96 million ballots were mailed to the · county’s active registered voters, 131 mail ballot drop-off locations were open for nearly · a month and 221 in-person voting sites were open for four days of in-person voting. ... The Registrar’s office plans to provide more vote centers than the required minimum. San Diego County will operate approximately 39 vote centers open for 11 days,
🌐 sdvote.com
FAQs • Who must vote a provisional ballot?
Official Free
The following voters will be asked to put their ballot inside of a provisional envelope; Voters who have moved into a new precinct and have not updated their registration to the new address; Voters whose names are not on the roster where they go to vote; Voters who have registered by mail, but did not provide a CA .driver’s license number, or CA ID number when they registered; Voters who return their absentee ballots to the polls without an envelope; Voters who have applied to vote by mail, but do not have their ballot to turn in when they go to the polls; Voters who register too late for…
🌐 tuolumnecounty.ca.gov
Vote Centers and Ballot Drop-off Locations - California Secretary of State
Official Free
If you wish to continue in a language other than English, please select your language below · You can map all the Vote Centers and Ballot Drop-off locations near you by visiting the Secretary of State's look up tool
🌐 voterstatus.sos.ca.gov
sf.courts.ca.gov
Official Free
By clicking Search, you agree to: ... by name, filer id, filing date and independent expenditures. San Francisco County Election Results https://sfelections.sfgov.org/results Find San Francisco County, California election results, including information on voters, candidates, ...
🌐 sf.courts.ca.gov
My Voter Status - California Secretary of State
Official Free
If you wish to continue in a language other than English, please select your language below
🌐 voterstatus.sos.ca.gov