San Diego voters face tight Nov. 3 deadline

San Diego County residents must finalize their voting plans before 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, when polls close for the 2026 midterm elections. The county’s Registrar of Voters confirmed that in-line voters at official vote centers will be permitted to cast ballots even if they arrive after the closing hour. Mail ballots sent through the U.S. Postal Service must bear a postmark from Election Day to remain valid.

Early in-person voting began on Oct. 24 at designated vote centers across the county. Mail ballots were distributed to all active registered voters starting the week of Oct. 5. Residents who have not received their mail ballot can check its status online or request a replacement through the Registrar of Voters website.

Voters who missed the Oct. 19 registration deadline can still participate through conditional voter registration. Eligible Californians may register and cast a provisional ballot at the Registrar’s office at 5600 Overland Ave. in San Diego or at any official vote center. These provisional votes are counted once the voter’s registration status is verified.

The ballot includes federal, state, and local contests. California voters will select a new governor to replace Gavin Newsom. Democrat Xavier Becerra faces Republican Steve Hilton in that race. Statewide contests also include attorney general, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, controller, insurance commissioner, and treasurer. Local races cover two San Diego Board of Supervisors seats and congressional districts 48 and 49. City of San Diego voters will elect representatives in districts 2, 4, 6, and 8.

Fourteen California propositions appear on the ballot, addressing housing, taxes, environmental regulations, and election rules. Countywide measures regarding term limits for supervisors and sales tax are also included. Voters can review sample ballots on the Registrar of Voters website to prepare for the elections.

More than 100 official ballot drop boxes are available throughout San Diego County. These red, white, and blue containers are typically located in libraries, parks, and public spaces. Drop boxes opened on Oct. 4 and remain accessible until 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Residents may use any official drop box in the county regardless of their registration address. Each drop box serves approximately 15,000 registered voters.

Preliminary election results will be released as soon as polls close on Nov. 3. California officials have until Dec. 3 to certify final results. Some races may be decided immediately, while others could take days or weeks to determine.