California Attorney General Rob Bonta reaffirmed that mail-in voting remains safe and secure for the November 3, 2026 General Election, after leading a multistate legal coalition to a U.S. Supreme Court victory blocking new federal mail-voting restrictions. Bonta held a press conference as county election officials began mailing ballots to registered voters this week.
In the June 2026 primary, over 89 percent of Californians cast their ballots by mail, underscoring the role of vote-by-mail in voter participation. The state's recent court wins included a Supreme Court order blocking the Trump Administration from imposing new mail-voting requirements, a California Supreme Court ruling ordering the return of approximately 650,000 ballots unlawfully seized by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, and an appellate court order blocking Shasta County's Measure B, which would have eliminated vote-by-mail and most early voting.
Voters have until October 19 to register or re-register to vote. The state noted that due to changes in U.S. Postal Service collection procedures, ballots mailed on Election Day from areas more than 50 miles from a postal regional hub may not be postmarked in time to be counted. The state recommends voters drop ballots at secure ballot drop boxes, vote centers, or mail them at least a week before Election Day.
For up-to-date election information, voters can visit sos.ca.gov/elections, register at registertovote.ca.gov, or track their ballot at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov.