Election Day
A Presidential Primary Election is held on the third Tuesday of March in a presidential election year. The Primary Election is held 11 weeks before the General Election for purposes of nominating party nominees to be voted for in the General Election to fill a national, state, county, or district office. A General Election is held in November of every even-numbered year. The election dates for 2020 are:
- Presidential Preference Primary Election: March 17
- Primary Election: August 18
- General Election: November 3
Note: Special elections may be called at any time during the year. Local elections may also be held throughout the year. Check the Local Elections Database which contain dates as reported by the county for elections (county-specific, municipal, special district, or other local election) scheduled within one county. Contact your county Supervisor of Elections for the most up-to-date information.
Deadline to Register (Book Closing)
Eligible individuals can register to vote at any time. The deadline to register in order to participate in an upcoming election is 29 days before the election. The registration deadlines for 2020 are:
- Presidential Preference Primary Election: February 18*
- Primary Election: July 20
- General Election: October 5
*Federal holiday moves the deadline to the next business day
Vote-by-Mail Ballot 'Send' Deadline
For vote-by-mail ballot requests on record, state law requires that the ballots be sent during specified timeframes.
For absent stateside and overseas uniformed service member and overseas civilian voters (also known as UOCAVA voters), Supervisors of Elections send the ballots no later than 45 days before an election. The send periods for 2020 are:
- Presidential Preference Primary Election: February 1
- Primary Election: July 4
- General Election: September 19
For domestic voters, Supervisors of Elections send the ballots during a 7-day window between 40 and 33 days before an election. The send periods for 2020 are:
- Presidential Preference Primary Election: February 6 – 13
- Primary Election: July 9 - July 16
- General Election: September 24 – October 1