skip to main content

California

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on September 25, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in California, we recommend that you visit the Secretary of State's website or the California COVID-19 portal.

resource search icon

Description of Program and Relief

General Election Voter Relief

As a part of special COVID-19 relief measures, Governor Gavin Newsom has issued Executive Orders N-64- 20 and N-67-20 which together require that county elections officials take the following actions to increase voter access for the General Election: (1) send vote-by-mail ballots to all Californians registered to vote in the General Election and (2) ensure sufficient in-person voting opportunities are available to allow voters to maintain physical distancing.

Counties operating under the California Voter’s Choice Act, which permits counties to provide voters with increased flexibility and convenience by expanding mail-in-ballot, early voting, and voting center access, must provide: (1) at least one polling place per 10,000 registered voters (and make them available for three days of early voting starting the Saturday before the General Election for eight hours a day on early voting days and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day); and (2) a minimum of two vote-by-mail ballot drop-off locations and at least one vote-by-mail ballot drop-off location per 15,000 registered voters (and make them available from October 6, 2020 to November 3, 2020 for at least twelve hours each day). For a list of counties participating in the California’s Voter’s Choice Act, please see here.

Counties that are subject to the California Voter’s Choice act are encouraged to open voting centers earlier.

Government or Lead Agency

California Office of the Governor

Dates Available

Effective October 6, 2020 for the General Election. Mail-in-ballots will be made available earlier, on a county-by-county basis.

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

Californians who are eligible to vote in the General Election may avail themselves of the described voter relief.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

N/A

Contact for More Information

For more information, please contact your county election official, here.

List of Additional Information

For more information, please consult Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-64-20, located here, and Executive Order N-67-20, located here.


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

© 2024 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Privacy Policy