Carly is KQED's Senior Editor of Audience News on the Digital News team, and has reported for the California Report Magazine, Bay Curious and KQED Arts. She's formerly the host of The Cooler podcast.
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"title": "Got a ‘Retake Your Test’ Letter From the DMV? It’s Real — and Here’s What to Do",
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"content": "\u003cp>More than 10,000 \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/california\">Californians\u003c/a> are receiving letters informing them that they need to retake their written driver’s license tests. Unfortunately for unlucky recipients, the letters aren’t part of a sophisticated scam, as Redditors have been \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1um1s4j/many_california_drivers_to_retake_written_dmv/\">speculating\u003c/a> — or perhaps hoping.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sorry to say, the notices are real, according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. And people who receive them will indeed need to retake their written knowledge test to stay on the roads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you did receive a dreaded DMV letter, here’s what you need to know about why you’re being asked to retake your test, how to do it and what could happen if you don’t.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Who has to retake their driver’s test?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you took your California written driver’s license tests between July 2025 and April 2026, look out for a letter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The DMV says about 11,000 people across the state who took the exam during that period will have to retake the test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The affected licenses don’t appear to be isolated to one region — people from Los Angeles to San Francisco have \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1um1s4j/many_california_drivers_to_retake_written_dmv/\">taken to social media\u003c/a> to say they’re headed to the DMV.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12032226\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12032226 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Traffic on Interstate 550 in Oakland flowing with cars. \u003ccite>(Joyce Tsai/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>Why is the DMV making me take my test again?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>We still don’t know the actual reasoning. The DMV says that they identified “anomalies” in “certain” test results, but didn’t answer specific questions about what caused them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unsurprisingly, Reddit has some prevailing theories — including that tests administered during that time frame were leaked online for others to copy, or the DMV’s automated testing machines graded exams incorrectly. But the DMV did not confirm whether there’s truth to any of the speculation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A spokesperson did say that the issue was not related to artificial intelligence or internal technical problems.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Do I have to retake the practical test or just the written test?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Don’t worry, you won’t have to get graded on your actual driving behind the wheel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But that’s not to say you shouldn’t brush up on the rules of the road ahead of retaking your written test. \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1u72dw2/is_this_legitimate_will_i_need_to_redo_the_behind/\">Some people online\u003c/a> say they failed the exam when they went in for their retest and had their license revoked. \u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#HowtostudyforyourDMVretest\">How to study for your DMV retest.\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How do I retake the test, and how fast do I have to do it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You’ll have to make an appointment online for an in-person test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The letters mailed out include a QR code that you can scan with your cell phone camera, which will route you directly to a \u003ca href=\"https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/appointments/select-appointment-type\">page on the DMV website\u003c/a> that has a “reevaluation” sign-up link.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11699281\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11699281\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance.jpg\" alt=\"The entrance to a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in Corte Madera.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1356\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-160x113.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-800x565.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-1020x720.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-1200x848.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-1180x833.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-960x678.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-240x170.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-375x265.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-520x367.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The entrance to a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in Corte Madera. \u003ccite>(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’d rather go to the site on a computer or in your internet browser, click on the “Appointments” page at \u003ca href=\"http://dmv.ca.gov\">dmv.ca.gov\u003c/a> and look for the “knowledge test reevaluation” button.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But be warned: the letters say that you need to retake the exam within 30 days of the date the notice was issued, located in the top left corner, to keep your California driver’s license.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Do I \u003cem>have \u003c/em>to make a DMV appointment to retake my test, and what do I need to bring with me?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes. The letter says appointments are required for the reevaluation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you go to your appointment, be sure to bring a copy of the notice requiring reevaluation, as well as your driver’s license card, temporary license, or instruction permit, whichever you have.[aside postID=news_12089236 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/GroceriesAP.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What if there are no available DMV appointments near me to retake the test within 30 days?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>A spokesperson for the DMV told KQED that there have been “no known issues getting [appointments]” and plenty are available. A DMV that’s further away from you may have more appointments available.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowtostudyforyourDMVretest\">\u003c/a>What if I fail my retest? Can I take the test again?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Some people who have gone in for the reevaluation say \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1u72dw2/is_this_legitimate_will_i_need_to_redo_the_behind/\">they’ve failed\u003c/a> and had their physical driver’s licenses taken by the DMV. They were able to reapply, retake the written test, and be issued a new temporary license within days — still with no road test needed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It could be worthwhile to study up before your appointment (or just test your knowledge if you’re just curious how you’d hypothetically perform, like this reporter). The DMV provides \u003ca href=\"https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/educational-materials/sample-driver-license-dl-knowledge-tests/\">sample tests\u003c/a> in multiple languages, and proficient Googlers may also be able to find apparent sample questions online via sites that are not affiliated with the DMV.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What happens if I don’t retake the test within 30 days?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Your license will be canceled — which means you cannot drive. It also means that your license will not be a valid form of identification.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your license \u003cem>does \u003c/em>lapse, the DMV says you are eligible to immediately reapply. It’s not clear if you would need to retake the road test in that case.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Who has to retake their driver’s test?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you took your California written driver’s license tests between July 2025 and April 2026, look out for a letter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The DMV says about 11,000 people across the state who took the exam during that period will have to retake the test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The affected licenses don’t appear to be isolated to one region — people from Los Angeles to San Francisco have \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1um1s4j/many_california_drivers_to_retake_written_dmv/\">taken to social media\u003c/a> to say they’re headed to the DMV.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12032226\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12032226 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Traffic on Interstate 550 in Oakland flowing with cars. \u003ccite>(Joyce Tsai/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>Why is the DMV making me take my test again?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>We still don’t know the actual reasoning. The DMV says that they identified “anomalies” in “certain” test results, but didn’t answer specific questions about what caused them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unsurprisingly, Reddit has some prevailing theories — including that tests administered during that time frame were leaked online for others to copy, or the DMV’s automated testing machines graded exams incorrectly. But the DMV did not confirm whether there’s truth to any of the speculation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A spokesperson did say that the issue was not related to artificial intelligence or internal technical problems.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Do I have to retake the practical test or just the written test?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Don’t worry, you won’t have to get graded on your actual driving behind the wheel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But that’s not to say you shouldn’t brush up on the rules of the road ahead of retaking your written test. \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1u72dw2/is_this_legitimate_will_i_need_to_redo_the_behind/\">Some people online\u003c/a> say they failed the exam when they went in for their retest and had their license revoked. \u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#HowtostudyforyourDMVretest\">How to study for your DMV retest.\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How do I retake the test, and how fast do I have to do it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You’ll have to make an appointment online for an in-person test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The letters mailed out include a QR code that you can scan with your cell phone camera, which will route you directly to a \u003ca href=\"https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/appointments/select-appointment-type\">page on the DMV website\u003c/a> that has a “reevaluation” sign-up link.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11699281\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11699281\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance.jpg\" alt=\"The entrance to a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in Corte Madera.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1356\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-160x113.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-800x565.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-1020x720.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-1200x848.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-1180x833.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-960x678.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-240x170.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-375x265.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-520x367.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The entrance to a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in Corte Madera. \u003ccite>(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’d rather go to the site on a computer or in your internet browser, click on the “Appointments” page at \u003ca href=\"http://dmv.ca.gov\">dmv.ca.gov\u003c/a> and look for the “knowledge test reevaluation” button.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But be warned: the letters say that you need to retake the exam within 30 days of the date the notice was issued, located in the top left corner, to keep your California driver’s license.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Do I \u003cem>have \u003c/em>to make a DMV appointment to retake my test, and what do I need to bring with me?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes. The letter says appointments are required for the reevaluation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you go to your appointment, be sure to bring a copy of the notice requiring reevaluation, as well as your driver’s license card, temporary license, or instruction permit, whichever you have.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What if there are no available DMV appointments near me to retake the test within 30 days?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>A spokesperson for the DMV told KQED that there have been “no known issues getting [appointments]” and plenty are available. A DMV that’s further away from you may have more appointments available.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowtostudyforyourDMVretest\">\u003c/a>What if I fail my retest? Can I take the test again?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Some people who have gone in for the reevaluation say \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1u72dw2/is_this_legitimate_will_i_need_to_redo_the_behind/\">they’ve failed\u003c/a> and had their physical driver’s licenses taken by the DMV. They were able to reapply, retake the written test, and be issued a new temporary license within days — still with no road test needed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It could be worthwhile to study up before your appointment (or just test your knowledge if you’re just curious how you’d hypothetically perform, like this reporter). The DMV provides \u003ca href=\"https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/educational-materials/sample-driver-license-dl-knowledge-tests/\">sample tests\u003c/a> in multiple languages, and proficient Googlers may also be able to find apparent sample questions online via sites that are not affiliated with the DMV.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What happens if I don’t retake the test within 30 days?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Your license will be canceled — which means you cannot drive. It also means that your license will not be a valid form of identification.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your license \u003cem>does \u003c/em>lapse, the DMV says you are eligible to immediately reapply. It’s not clear if you would need to retake the road test in that case.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "where-to-see-fireworks-4th-july-independence-day-san-francisco-bay-area-golden-gate-bridge-fourth-america-250",
"title": "Fourth of July Fireworks 2026: Shows, Parades and Events Around the Bay Area",
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"headTitle": "Fourth of July Fireworks 2026: Shows, Parades and Events Around the Bay Area | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>This Fourth of July marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/bay-area\">Bay Area\u003c/a> will be taking its celebrations to a whole new level accordingly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A major highlight will be San Francisco’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/event-20260704-fourth-of-july-fireworks-on-golden-gate-bridge\">annual free fireworks show\u003c/a> taking place not at its usual Fisherman’s Wharf location but on the Golden Gate Bridge itself – \u003ca href=\"https://www.goldengate.org/july-4-golden-gate-bridge-fireworks-show/\">only the third time this has happened\u003c/a> in almost a century.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(What will \u003cem>not\u003c/em> be happening on July Fourth: a FIFA World Cup match between Team USA and Team England in Philadelphia, despite \u003ca href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2026/06/17/could-the-usa-play-england-on-july-4th-fifa-bracket/90590652007/\">the wishes of some on the internet\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Along with fireworks galore, there will be a host of events throughout the Bay Area reflecting on America’s past and present — not just parades and parties, but crucial remembrances, exhibits and teach-ins.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So keep reading for what to know about fireworks (and drone) shows on the Fourth of July, 2026, from where you can safely view an official fireworks show, tips on comforting your pets, or navigating the holiday’s sights and sounds if you are living with post-traumatic stress disorder.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning on buying your own fireworks, be careful. Since unofficial fireworks can cause truly dangerous situations — burning and seriously injuring people, sparking wildfires, and causing major property damage — fireworks are also banned in many parts of California. You can \u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#jumpstraighttooursectionontipsandregulationsaroundfireworks\">jump straight to our section on tips and regulations around fireworks\u003c/a>\u003c/strong> to learn more.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Fourth of July fireworks and drone shows around the Bay Are\u003cstrong>a \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>July 4 this year falls on a Saturday, and most fireworks and festivities will be happening that day, usually starting after dusk, around 9:30 p.m.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But not \u003cem>all \u003c/em>of the celebrations will take place on that Saturday, so be sure to check the date and time of the event before you head out. Some events may require tickets in advance, so be sure to keep an eye out for that or possible cancellations due to interruptions like bad weather.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11954350\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11954350\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230628-SAN-FRANCISCO-FIREWORKS-GETTY-SM-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"The silhouettes of two or more people are thrown into relief by the explosions of fireworks in the distance over a city setting.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230628-SAN-FRANCISCO-FIREWORKS-GETTY-SM-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230628-SAN-FRANCISCO-FIREWORKS-GETTY-SM-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230628-SAN-FRANCISCO-FIREWORKS-GETTY-SM-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230628-SAN-FRANCISCO-FIREWORKS-GETTY-SM-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230628-SAN-FRANCISCO-FIREWORKS-GETTY-SM-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230628-SAN-FRANCISCO-FIREWORKS-GETTY-SM-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Illegal fireworks light up the sky in the Potrero Hill neighborhood on July 4, 2020, in San Francisco. \u003ccite>(Santiago Mejia/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year’s fireworks in San Francisco will be set off from the Golden Gate Bridge on Saturday, July 4, rather than the show’s usual spot at Fisherman’s Wharf.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The city has \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/event-20260704-fourth-of-july-fireworks-on-golden-gate-bridge\">a thorough page on details about the Golden Gate Bridge fireworks,\u003c/a> but the highlights are that the show is free and will start around 9:30 p.m. The best viewing locations are Crissy Field, Marina Green and Pier 39 and Northern Embarcadero. For those who don’t mind \u003ca href=\"https://www.schramsberg.com/events/america250-2/\">spending a bit of money\u003c/a>, there will be private cruise options for the fireworks viewings, with \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ca--san-francisco/july-4-fireworks/\">tickets available on Eventbrite\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A heads-up: The city’s website recommends\u003cem> avoiding \u003c/em>the Ferry Building and Embarcadero waterfront, since there will be no view of the fireworks there. Views of the Golden Gate Bridge fireworks will also be limited at Ocean Beach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also, a PSA for drivers in the area on July 4: The Golden Gate Bridge will be fully closed to cars \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/event-20260704-fourth-of-july-fireworks-on-golden-gate-bridge\">“from shortly before” the 9:30 pm scheduled display start time \u003c/a>until “shortly after” the end of the fireworks show, according to the city. “Closure duration may change based on operational needs,” the city’s website reads. “Expect delays before the bridge reopens.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bridge’s sidewalks will also be closed to pedestrians and cyclists at certain times on July 4, with the east sidewalk closed as early as the morning of July 3. \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/event-20260704-fourth-of-july-fireworks-on-golden-gate-bridge\">Read the full list of closures on sf.gov.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>East Bay\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>July 3: \u003ca href=\"https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/Calendar.aspx?EID=23116&month=7&year=2026&day=3&calType=0\">Fireworks at Marina Bay Park\u003c/a> in Richmond\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-of-july-fireworks-cruise-san-francisco-tickets-1989191915567\">Watching the San Francisco fireworks from a cruise\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://annual.alamedacountyfair.com/drone-show-2/\">Fireworks at the Michelob Ultra Grandstand\u003c/a> in Pleasanton\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.moraga.ca.us/419/July-4-Celebration-Fireworks\">Fireworks at Hacienda de las Flores Park\u003c/a> in Moraga\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.cityofmartinez.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/2224/399?curm=7&cury=2026\">Fireworks along the Martinez shoreline \u003c/a>in Martinez\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.antiochca.gov/221/Fourth-of-July-Celebration\">Fireworks at Waldie Plaza\u003c/a> in Rivertown\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://phjuly4.com/fireworks\">Fireworks show at College Park High School\u003c/a> in Pleasant Hill\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.concordjuly4th.com/festival/\">Festival & Fireworks at Mt. Diablo High School\u003c/a> in Concord\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/CityOfPittsburgCa/posts/celebrate-americas-250th-anniversary-at-the-pittsburg-marinaget-ready-for-an-unf/1427974609360338/\">Fireworks at Pittsburg Marina\u003c/a> in Pittsburg\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12088472\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12088472\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/EastOaklandFireworksJuly4Getty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1351\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/EastOaklandFireworksJuly4Getty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/EastOaklandFireworksJuly4Getty-160x108.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/EastOaklandFireworksJuly4Getty-1536x1038.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Illegal fireworks are detonated in this view from the King Estate Open Space Park in East Oakland, California, on July 4, 2021. \u003ccite>(Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>South Bay\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sixflags.com/cagreatamerica/events/fireworks\">Fireworks Celebration at the Great America amusement park\u003c/a> in Santa Clara\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-g-z/parks-recreation/special-events/4th-of-july-celebration\">Celebration with a view of Great America’s fireworks at Mission College\u003c/a> in Santa Clara\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.comfortinnmorganhill.com/blog/celebrate-independence-day-at-morgan-hill-freedom-fest-2026\">Fireworks at Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center\u003c/a> in Morgan Hill\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfsymphony.org/Buy-Tickets/2025-26/Shoreline-4th-of-July\">Fireworks Spectacular at Shoreline Amphitheatre\u003c/a> in Mountain View\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.parade.org/\">Fireworks at the Port of Redwood City\u003c/a> in Redwood City\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.cupertino.gov/Parks-Recreation/Events/Fourth-of-July\">Fireworks at Hyde Middle School\u003c/a> in Cupertino\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZtAWlQEmyI/\">Drone show at Lake Cunningham\u003c/a> in San José\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>North Bay\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>July 3: \u003ca href=\"https://visitshastalake.com/freedom-250/\">Drone Show at Shasta Dam\u003c/a> in Shasta Lake\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.suisun.com/Events-directory/4th-of-July-Celebration-2026\">Fireworks on the Suisun City Waterfront\u003c/a> in Suisun City\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-spirit-ship-celebration-on-mare-island-july-4-2026-tickets-1987655394792?aff=oddtdtcreator\">Drone on the Mare Island Waterfront\u003c/a> in Vallejo\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://donapa.com/event/fourth-of-july-napa-drone-show/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22632002387&gbraid=0aaaaadlb7sbfabkokjrqsvc6du0xi8-x0&gclid=cjwkcajw9ancbhaweiwaqbj-c2xr3wy3hk8kfbbmu6t4351ovoe5zmiycvohzlqhihk0ak-i-h9ygboc2ogqavd_bwe&__hstc=31770721.79fbd7f1328bca5a72c8504d7cad1739.1750797064720.1750797064720.1750797064720.1&__hssc=31770721.1.1750797064721&__hsfp=2138463993&hsutk=79fbd7f1328bca5a72c8504d7cad1739&contenttype=standard-page\">Drone show at Oxbow Commons\u003c/a> in Napa\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sonomacity.org/event/4th-of-july-parade-celebration-fireworks-show-3/\">Fireworks at General Vallejo’s field\u003c/a> in Sonoma\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://visitcalistoga.com/events/4th-of-july-laser-light-show/\">Laser Light Show at Pioneer Park\u003c/a> in Calistoga\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.americancanyon.gov/Live/Community-Calendar/4th-of-July\">Fireworks at Independence Park\u003c/a> in American Canyon\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Fourth of July parades, festivals and parties around the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>July 2: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/downtown-first-thursdays-w-peaches-christs-variety-show-jul-2-2026-tickets-1980042444252?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">Downtown First Thursdays with Peaches Christ’s Variety Show near Natoma Cabana\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 2: \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/sf-independence\">Independence Pre-Party at The Bank at Amador\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 3 to July 5: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/fourth-of-july-weekend-2026-on-sf-bay-2290659\">Fourth of July sailing on San Francisco Bay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fourth-of-july-pub-crawl-hot-dog-eating-contest-tickets-1983146875690?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">Pub Crawl and Hot Dog Eating Contest at Rick & Roxy’s\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rb-and-ribs-san-francisco-4th-of-july-tickets-1990829291001?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">R&B and RIBS at the Mint\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boomboom-madonna-night-tickets-1991591048438?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">Madonna Night at Beaux\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://discoverytrail250.org/RelayDayMap.php?date=2026-07-04®ion=West\">The Golden Gate Bridge stretch of the American Relay \u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://goldengateparkband.org/calendar/happy-250th-america\">A concert with the Golden Gate Park Band at the Spreckles Temple of Music\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/super-perreo-latin-rave-experience-emporium-9pm-tickets-1989769357712?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">Super Perreo: Latin Rave Experience at Emporium Arcade Bar\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12088474\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12088474\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/SFFireworksGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/SFFireworksGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/SFFireworksGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/SFFireworksGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fireworks illuminate the city during a Fourth of July celebration as seen from San Francisco’s Bay Bridge at Fort Baker in Sausalito, California, on July 4, 2025. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>East Bay\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>July 3: An \u003ca href=\"https://www.510families.com/calendar/moonlight-movies-aladdin/\">outdoor showing\u003c/a> of \u003ca href=\"https://www.danville.ca.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=4000&month=7&year=2026&day=25&calType=0\">\u003cem>Captain America: The First Avenger \u003c/em>at the Town Green\u003c/a> in Danville\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.alamedaca.gov/Shortcut-Content/Events-Activities/July-4th-Parade\">City of Alameda Fourth of July Parade\u003c/a> in Alameda\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://uss-hornet.org/event/4th-of-july-250th-birthday-of-america/\">America’s 250th Birthday aboard USS Hornet\u003c/a> in Alameda\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://piedmont.ca.gov/news/events/4th-of-july-parade\">Parade and picnic \u003c/a>in Piedmont\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.srvkiwanis.org/parade\">Fourth of July Parade\u003c/a> in Downtown Danville\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://downtownmartinez.org/4th-of-july-parade\">Fourth of July Parade\u003c/a> in Downtown Martinez\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanpabloca.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=7005&month=7&year=2026&day=4&calType=0\">Multicultural Fourth of July Celebration at the San Pablo Community Center\u003c/a> in San Pablo\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.antiochca.gov/221/Fourth-of-July-Celebration\">Fourth of July Celebration and Parade at Waldie Plaza\u003c/a> in Antioch\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://phjuly4.com/parade\">Fourth of July Parade\u003c/a> in Pleasant Hill\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZobLGNlarR/\">Festival at Monarch Bay Golf Club\u003c/a> in San Leandro\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://redoakvictory.us/events/\">Party on the SS Red Oak Victory\u003c/a> in Richmond\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>South Bay\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/CityofSouthSanFrancisco/posts/celebrate-americas-250th-birthday-with-the-south-san-francisco-community-at-a-sp/1410742167755823/\">Parade and picnic\u003c/a> in downtown South San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.rwbsj.org/the-parade\">Rose, White and Blue parade and festival\u003c/a> in San José\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.parade.org/parade/\">Fourth of July Parade and Festival\u003c/a> in Downtown Redwood City\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.menlopark.gov/Citywide-calendar/Community-events/20260704-4th-of-July\">Fourth of July Parade, picnic and circus at Burgess Park\u003c/a> in Menlo Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=5047&month=7&year=2026&day=4&calType=0\">Fourth of July Parade at Town Hall\u003c/a> in Los Altos Hills\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>North Bay\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>July 1 to July 5: \u003ca href=\"https://marinfair.org/\">Stars, Stripes and Stories at the Marin County Fair\u003c/a> in San Rafael\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 3: \u003ca href=\"https://cityofsthelena.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=2932\">Celebration at Crane Park\u003c/a> in St. Helena\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sonomacity.org/event/4th-of-july-parade-celebration-fireworks-show-3/\">Fourth of July Parade at the Plaza\u003c/a> in Sonoma\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>America 250 exhibits and longer-term events\u003c/h2>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Through Jan. 11: \u003ca href=\"https://www.huntington.org/exhibitions/this-land-is\">“This Land Is …” Exhibition at MaryLou and George Boone Gallery\u003c/a> in San Marino\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>June 21 to July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/news-mayor-lurie-announces-installation-with-49-beams-of-light-to-rise-above-civic-center-during-historic-summer-for-san-francisco\">“7X7,”\u003c/a> a public light installation in San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>June 29: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/commemorating-250-years-of-sf-at-its-birthplace-tickets-1990599811622\">Commemorating 250 Years of SF at its Birthplace at Manny’s\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>June 29 to July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/250th-anniversary-weeklong-pass-tickets-1990810200902?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">A weeklong “exploration into the past, present, and future of SF & the United States” at Manny’s\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Through Nov. 8: \u003ca href=\"https://www.losaltoshistory.org/exhibit/commemorating-americas-250th/\">The Spirit of ’76 at the Los Altos History Museum\u003c/a> in Los Altos\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 1 to July 8: \u003ca href=\"https://discoverytrail.org/adt-relay-calendar\">A cross-country relay across America starts on Limantour Beach\u003c/a> in Marin County\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 1: \u003ca href=\"https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-07-01/humanities-west-presents-250th-anniversary-declaration-independence\">Humanities West presents the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence\u003c/a> at the Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 2: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/commemorating-250-trans-250-art-exhibit-tickets-1990883647583\">Trans 250 Art Exhibit at Manny’s\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 11: \u003ca href=\"https://portchicagoweekend.org/event-omca.html\">Mutiny at Port Chicago: Black Resistance and Redemption at the Oakland Museum of California\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Something else to bear in mind: Until July 6, California State Parks is also \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1533\">offering a downloadable free pass\u003c/a> to celebrate America 250, which can be used for free entry to all state historic parks through Dec. 31.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"jumpstraighttooursectionontipsandregulationsaroundfireworks\">\u003c/a>Crucial reminders for fireworks safety in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How personal fireworks — and bonfires — can injure or kill you\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even before considering the huge risks of sparking a wildfire (more on this below), setting off your own fireworks — even when legally purchased in one of the areas that permits them — can be incredibly dangerous.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At a 2023 safety briefing, Dr. Clifford Sheckter, Director of the Regional Burn Center at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, gave graphic examples of the kinds of injuries — and even deaths — that attempting to set off your own fireworks can incur. On mortar-style fireworks, Sheckter warned that “if those go off in your hand, you are losing fingers, if not your whole hand. If this goes off by your face, you could end up blind.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And while sparklers might strike many folks as a small, innocuous kind of personal firework on July Fourth, Sheckter noted that not only are they illegal in many areas, but sparklers can also pose massive threats to children. “Kids think it’s a popsicle: They put it in their mouths, they put it near their faces, they give themselves pretty severe burns and end up on the burn unit for one to two weeks,” he warned.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11935568\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11935568\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/RS46625_009_SanFrancisco_Hospital_01142021-qut.jpg\" alt=\"An ambulance outside of a hospital.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/RS46625_009_SanFrancisco_Hospital_01142021-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/RS46625_009_SanFrancisco_Hospital_01142021-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/RS46625_009_SanFrancisco_Hospital_01142021-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/RS46625_009_SanFrancisco_Hospital_01142021-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/RS46625_009_SanFrancisco_Hospital_01142021-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco Fire Department ambulance leaves the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on Jan. 14, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Lt. Jonathan Baxter, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department, also told KQED in 2019 that \u003ca href=\"https://sf-fire.org/safety-resources-and-information/fireworks-safety\">sparklers are illegal in San Francisco\u003c/a> (and yes, sparklers are considered fireworks \u003ca href=\"https://www.calcityfire.us/residents/fireworks-info#:~:text=Are%20Sparklers%20Legal%20in%20California,dangerous%20fireworks%20and%20are%20illegal.\">according to the state\u003c/a>).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Sparklers burn at 1,800 degrees, which is [hot] enough to burn gold,” Baxter said. “So if it can burn gold, you can imagine what it can do to your hand.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sheckter particularly stressed the importance of not mixing alcohol and drugs with fireworks or fire, noting that “one of the most common injuries” his burns unit sees around the Fourth of July is incurred by people “mixing alcohol and bonfires.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you get wasted and fall into a bonfire, you’re either going to die, or you’re going to end up severely burned and on my burn unit for the next six months,” Sheckter said, warning of so-called sixth-degree burns that can extend down into a person’s bones. Injuries from these kinds of burns, Sheckter said, are very difficult to reconstruct and often necessitate tissue grafts or prostheses. Curious children wandering around campsites and grasping coals, embers or fire pit rings are also a common source of pediatric injuries.[aside postID=news_12086445 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-597922087.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How personal fireworks can spark wildfires at this time of year\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2021, \u003ca href=\"https://theconversation.com/skip-the-fireworks-this-record-dry-4th-of-july-over-150-wildfire-scientists-urge-the-us-west-163561\">over 150 fire scientists\u003c/a> were moved enough to join many fire officials across the West in urging residents to abandon their plans to launch personal fireworks on July Fourth because of the wildfire risks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Mishandled fireworks, specifically around the Fourth of July in California, have caused real damage in the past. In 2014, \u003ca href=\"https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/06/27/fourth-of-july-gone-bad-fireworks-casualty-warns-of-holiday-hazard/\">a reveler set off fireworks\u003c/a> in Yolo County near the Monticello Dam, igniting a 6,500-acre blaze that took days to put out, injured five firefighters and drove dozens of people from their homes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1944577/keep-your-fireworks-from-becoming-a-wildfire-this-fourth-of-july\">full list of tips on preventing causing a wildfire with your fireworks\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.baaqmd.gov/news-and-events/page-resources/2023-news/062923-fireworks?sc_lang=zh-TW&switch_lang=true\">Bay Area Air Quality Management District\u003c/a> also warned that “smoke from exploding fireworks results in elevated levels of particulate matter close to the ground, making it difficult for people to breathe, and may trigger asthma attacks, coughing, wheezing and eye irritation.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“At the local level, personal fireworks can cause unhealthy buildup in particulate matter pollution over the July 4 holiday,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.baaqmd.gov/news-and-events/page-resources/2023-news/062923-fireworks?sc_lang=zh-TW&switch_lang=true\">a 2023 statement reads\u003c/a>. “‘Safe and sane’ fireworks, like those purchased at pop-up fireworks stands, contain metal salts used to produce colors and can also cause excessive smoke.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Whether you’re planning to light up some fireworks or simply watch them from afar, here are a few safety tips compiled from experts around the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Check if your community allows for personal fireworks\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some types of fireworks — or any fireworks at all — are illegal in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“A legal firework has gone under testing by the state to ensure that the characteristics of it are inherently safer than those that don’t get our safety seal,” Daniel Berlant, deputy director of community wildfire preparedness and mitigation at Cal Fire, told KQED in 2022. “Really, any firework that explodes, goes up in the air or moves around the ground uncontrollably are considered illegal fireworks.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check this list to find out \u003ca href=\"https://ca-fireworks.presskit247.com/content/content-article.asp?ArticleID=508\">whether fireworks are legal in your city this Fourth of July\u003c/a> (and be sure to check any dates that apply).\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11878946\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11878946\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/06/OaklandFireworks.jpg\" alt=\"A display of fireworks in the city.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1047\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/06/OaklandFireworks.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/06/OaklandFireworks-800x436.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/06/OaklandFireworks-1020x556.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/06/OaklandFireworks-160x87.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/06/OaklandFireworks-1536x838.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Unsanctioned fireworks displays are seen over the East Bay on July 4, 2013. \u003ccite>(Eugene Eric Kim/Flickr)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Know that in some communities, even viewing an illegal fireworks show can get you into hot water. For example, in 2023, the City of San José began “holding spectators responsible for their role in the use of dangerous and illegal fireworks” by making anyone who is \u003ca href=\"https://library.municode.com/ca/san_jose/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT10PUPEMOWE_CH10.17FI_PT2SAUSPOSTFI_10.17.105SPPRFIEX\">“knowingly present and watching a fireworks exhibition”\u003c/a> subject to a fine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fireworks are also not permitted in \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1283#:~:text=No%20Fireworks%3A%20As%20a%20reminder,completely%20before%20leaving%20your%20site.\">California state parks\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/caha/learn/news/use-and-possession-of-fireworks-are-illegal-on-all-land-managed-by-national-park-service.htm\">National Park Service\u003c/a> land.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Check what \u003cem>kinds \u003c/em>of fireworks are allowed\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although certain fireworks are legal in much of California, the state has a zero-tolerance policy for both the sale and use of illegal fireworks, and violators may face fines of up to $50,000 and jail time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Illegal fireworks include firecrackers, Roman candles, skyrockets, bottle rockets, aerial shells and other fireworks that move on the ground or in the air uncontrollably.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Want to do a quick check? Look for the Safe and Sane label that indicates fire marshal approval. But sometimes \u003cem>even \u003c/em>Safe and Sane fireworks are banned, like \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/7371/4699\">in San José\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you do set off fireworks, plan your location wisely\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As well as being sure whether fireworks are even legal in your city this Fourth of July, consider where you’re setting them off.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We really are urging people to be extra cautious in wildland areas,” said Cal Fire’s Berlant, who notes that even in urban areas, fireworks can still spark a wildfire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11552046\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11552046\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks.jpg\" alt=\"Unsanctioned fireworks are seen over Oakland on July 4, 2017.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1167\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-160x97.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-800x486.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-1020x620.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-1180x717.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-960x584.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-240x146.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-375x228.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-520x316.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Unsanctioned fireworks are seen over Oakland on July 4, 2017. \u003ccite>(Theodore Roddy/YouTube)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Berlant recommends you make “sure that Safe and Sane fireworks are used in areas that are cleared from vegetation” and are lit in “parking lots or in driveways that are surrounded by nothing that could catch on fire.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Be ready to douse a fire\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Never point fireworks at yourself or another person, and never attempt to relight or fix a firework that won’t light. Designate a sober, responsible adult to light up the fireworks. Light one firework at a time, far away from dry grass, and have a bucket of water or a hose handy in case something goes wrong. Also, this may sound obvious, but alcohol and fireworks do not mix well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Properly dispose of fireworks\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the end of the celebration, all used and misfired fireworks should be submerged in water for 15 minutes and wrapped in a plastic bag to keep them from drying up. Then, toss them in the household trash. Any unused fireworks that have not expired should be kept in a cool, dry place away from children.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>KQED also has a thorough guide on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12045728/2025-fourth-of-july-fireworks-san-francisco-bay-area-near-me-friday-pets-ptsd#ptsd\">firework safety for people with PTSD\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12045728/2025-fourth-of-july-fireworks-san-francisco-bay-area-near-me-friday-pets-ptsd#pets\">what to do with anxious pets during July Fourth celebrations\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Fourth of July this year will be a special one, as Americans across the country celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.",
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"title": "Fourth of July Fireworks 2026: Shows, Parades and Events Around the Bay Area | KQED",
"description": "Fourth of July this year will be a special one, as Americans across the country celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.",
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"headline": "Fourth of July Fireworks 2026: Shows, Parades and Events Around the Bay Area",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>This Fourth of July marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/bay-area\">Bay Area\u003c/a> will be taking its celebrations to a whole new level accordingly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A major highlight will be San Francisco’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/event-20260704-fourth-of-july-fireworks-on-golden-gate-bridge\">annual free fireworks show\u003c/a> taking place not at its usual Fisherman’s Wharf location but on the Golden Gate Bridge itself – \u003ca href=\"https://www.goldengate.org/july-4-golden-gate-bridge-fireworks-show/\">only the third time this has happened\u003c/a> in almost a century.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(What will \u003cem>not\u003c/em> be happening on July Fourth: a FIFA World Cup match between Team USA and Team England in Philadelphia, despite \u003ca href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2026/06/17/could-the-usa-play-england-on-july-4th-fifa-bracket/90590652007/\">the wishes of some on the internet\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Along with fireworks galore, there will be a host of events throughout the Bay Area reflecting on America’s past and present — not just parades and parties, but crucial remembrances, exhibits and teach-ins.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So keep reading for what to know about fireworks (and drone) shows on the Fourth of July, 2026, from where you can safely view an official fireworks show, tips on comforting your pets, or navigating the holiday’s sights and sounds if you are living with post-traumatic stress disorder.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning on buying your own fireworks, be careful. Since unofficial fireworks can cause truly dangerous situations — burning and seriously injuring people, sparking wildfires, and causing major property damage — fireworks are also banned in many parts of California. You can \u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#jumpstraighttooursectionontipsandregulationsaroundfireworks\">jump straight to our section on tips and regulations around fireworks\u003c/a>\u003c/strong> to learn more.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Fourth of July fireworks and drone shows around the Bay Are\u003cstrong>a \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>July 4 this year falls on a Saturday, and most fireworks and festivities will be happening that day, usually starting after dusk, around 9:30 p.m.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But not \u003cem>all \u003c/em>of the celebrations will take place on that Saturday, so be sure to check the date and time of the event before you head out. Some events may require tickets in advance, so be sure to keep an eye out for that or possible cancellations due to interruptions like bad weather.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11954350\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11954350\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230628-SAN-FRANCISCO-FIREWORKS-GETTY-SM-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"The silhouettes of two or more people are thrown into relief by the explosions of fireworks in the distance over a city setting.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230628-SAN-FRANCISCO-FIREWORKS-GETTY-SM-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230628-SAN-FRANCISCO-FIREWORKS-GETTY-SM-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230628-SAN-FRANCISCO-FIREWORKS-GETTY-SM-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230628-SAN-FRANCISCO-FIREWORKS-GETTY-SM-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230628-SAN-FRANCISCO-FIREWORKS-GETTY-SM-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230628-SAN-FRANCISCO-FIREWORKS-GETTY-SM-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Illegal fireworks light up the sky in the Potrero Hill neighborhood on July 4, 2020, in San Francisco. \u003ccite>(Santiago Mejia/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year’s fireworks in San Francisco will be set off from the Golden Gate Bridge on Saturday, July 4, rather than the show’s usual spot at Fisherman’s Wharf.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The city has \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/event-20260704-fourth-of-july-fireworks-on-golden-gate-bridge\">a thorough page on details about the Golden Gate Bridge fireworks,\u003c/a> but the highlights are that the show is free and will start around 9:30 p.m. The best viewing locations are Crissy Field, Marina Green and Pier 39 and Northern Embarcadero. For those who don’t mind \u003ca href=\"https://www.schramsberg.com/events/america250-2/\">spending a bit of money\u003c/a>, there will be private cruise options for the fireworks viewings, with \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ca--san-francisco/july-4-fireworks/\">tickets available on Eventbrite\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A heads-up: The city’s website recommends\u003cem> avoiding \u003c/em>the Ferry Building and Embarcadero waterfront, since there will be no view of the fireworks there. Views of the Golden Gate Bridge fireworks will also be limited at Ocean Beach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also, a PSA for drivers in the area on July 4: The Golden Gate Bridge will be fully closed to cars \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/event-20260704-fourth-of-july-fireworks-on-golden-gate-bridge\">“from shortly before” the 9:30 pm scheduled display start time \u003c/a>until “shortly after” the end of the fireworks show, according to the city. “Closure duration may change based on operational needs,” the city’s website reads. “Expect delays before the bridge reopens.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bridge’s sidewalks will also be closed to pedestrians and cyclists at certain times on July 4, with the east sidewalk closed as early as the morning of July 3. \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/event-20260704-fourth-of-july-fireworks-on-golden-gate-bridge\">Read the full list of closures on sf.gov.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>East Bay\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>July 3: \u003ca href=\"https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/Calendar.aspx?EID=23116&month=7&year=2026&day=3&calType=0\">Fireworks at Marina Bay Park\u003c/a> in Richmond\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-of-july-fireworks-cruise-san-francisco-tickets-1989191915567\">Watching the San Francisco fireworks from a cruise\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://annual.alamedacountyfair.com/drone-show-2/\">Fireworks at the Michelob Ultra Grandstand\u003c/a> in Pleasanton\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.moraga.ca.us/419/July-4-Celebration-Fireworks\">Fireworks at Hacienda de las Flores Park\u003c/a> in Moraga\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.cityofmartinez.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/2224/399?curm=7&cury=2026\">Fireworks along the Martinez shoreline \u003c/a>in Martinez\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.antiochca.gov/221/Fourth-of-July-Celebration\">Fireworks at Waldie Plaza\u003c/a> in Rivertown\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://phjuly4.com/fireworks\">Fireworks show at College Park High School\u003c/a> in Pleasant Hill\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.concordjuly4th.com/festival/\">Festival & Fireworks at Mt. Diablo High School\u003c/a> in Concord\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/CityOfPittsburgCa/posts/celebrate-americas-250th-anniversary-at-the-pittsburg-marinaget-ready-for-an-unf/1427974609360338/\">Fireworks at Pittsburg Marina\u003c/a> in Pittsburg\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12088472\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12088472\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/EastOaklandFireworksJuly4Getty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1351\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/EastOaklandFireworksJuly4Getty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/EastOaklandFireworksJuly4Getty-160x108.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/EastOaklandFireworksJuly4Getty-1536x1038.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Illegal fireworks are detonated in this view from the King Estate Open Space Park in East Oakland, California, on July 4, 2021. \u003ccite>(Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>South Bay\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sixflags.com/cagreatamerica/events/fireworks\">Fireworks Celebration at the Great America amusement park\u003c/a> in Santa Clara\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-g-z/parks-recreation/special-events/4th-of-july-celebration\">Celebration with a view of Great America’s fireworks at Mission College\u003c/a> in Santa Clara\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.comfortinnmorganhill.com/blog/celebrate-independence-day-at-morgan-hill-freedom-fest-2026\">Fireworks at Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center\u003c/a> in Morgan Hill\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfsymphony.org/Buy-Tickets/2025-26/Shoreline-4th-of-July\">Fireworks Spectacular at Shoreline Amphitheatre\u003c/a> in Mountain View\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.parade.org/\">Fireworks at the Port of Redwood City\u003c/a> in Redwood City\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.cupertino.gov/Parks-Recreation/Events/Fourth-of-July\">Fireworks at Hyde Middle School\u003c/a> in Cupertino\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZtAWlQEmyI/\">Drone show at Lake Cunningham\u003c/a> in San José\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>North Bay\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>July 3: \u003ca href=\"https://visitshastalake.com/freedom-250/\">Drone Show at Shasta Dam\u003c/a> in Shasta Lake\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.suisun.com/Events-directory/4th-of-July-Celebration-2026\">Fireworks on the Suisun City Waterfront\u003c/a> in Suisun City\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-spirit-ship-celebration-on-mare-island-july-4-2026-tickets-1987655394792?aff=oddtdtcreator\">Drone on the Mare Island Waterfront\u003c/a> in Vallejo\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://donapa.com/event/fourth-of-july-napa-drone-show/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22632002387&gbraid=0aaaaadlb7sbfabkokjrqsvc6du0xi8-x0&gclid=cjwkcajw9ancbhaweiwaqbj-c2xr3wy3hk8kfbbmu6t4351ovoe5zmiycvohzlqhihk0ak-i-h9ygboc2ogqavd_bwe&__hstc=31770721.79fbd7f1328bca5a72c8504d7cad1739.1750797064720.1750797064720.1750797064720.1&__hssc=31770721.1.1750797064721&__hsfp=2138463993&hsutk=79fbd7f1328bca5a72c8504d7cad1739&contenttype=standard-page\">Drone show at Oxbow Commons\u003c/a> in Napa\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sonomacity.org/event/4th-of-july-parade-celebration-fireworks-show-3/\">Fireworks at General Vallejo’s field\u003c/a> in Sonoma\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://visitcalistoga.com/events/4th-of-july-laser-light-show/\">Laser Light Show at Pioneer Park\u003c/a> in Calistoga\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.americancanyon.gov/Live/Community-Calendar/4th-of-July\">Fireworks at Independence Park\u003c/a> in American Canyon\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Fourth of July parades, festivals and parties around the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>July 2: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/downtown-first-thursdays-w-peaches-christs-variety-show-jul-2-2026-tickets-1980042444252?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">Downtown First Thursdays with Peaches Christ’s Variety Show near Natoma Cabana\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 2: \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/sf-independence\">Independence Pre-Party at The Bank at Amador\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 3 to July 5: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/fourth-of-july-weekend-2026-on-sf-bay-2290659\">Fourth of July sailing on San Francisco Bay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fourth-of-july-pub-crawl-hot-dog-eating-contest-tickets-1983146875690?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">Pub Crawl and Hot Dog Eating Contest at Rick & Roxy’s\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rb-and-ribs-san-francisco-4th-of-july-tickets-1990829291001?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">R&B and RIBS at the Mint\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boomboom-madonna-night-tickets-1991591048438?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">Madonna Night at Beaux\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://discoverytrail250.org/RelayDayMap.php?date=2026-07-04®ion=West\">The Golden Gate Bridge stretch of the American Relay \u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://goldengateparkband.org/calendar/happy-250th-america\">A concert with the Golden Gate Park Band at the Spreckles Temple of Music\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/super-perreo-latin-rave-experience-emporium-9pm-tickets-1989769357712?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">Super Perreo: Latin Rave Experience at Emporium Arcade Bar\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12088474\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12088474\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/SFFireworksGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/SFFireworksGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/SFFireworksGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/SFFireworksGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fireworks illuminate the city during a Fourth of July celebration as seen from San Francisco’s Bay Bridge at Fort Baker in Sausalito, California, on July 4, 2025. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>East Bay\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>July 3: An \u003ca href=\"https://www.510families.com/calendar/moonlight-movies-aladdin/\">outdoor showing\u003c/a> of \u003ca href=\"https://www.danville.ca.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=4000&month=7&year=2026&day=25&calType=0\">\u003cem>Captain America: The First Avenger \u003c/em>at the Town Green\u003c/a> in Danville\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.alamedaca.gov/Shortcut-Content/Events-Activities/July-4th-Parade\">City of Alameda Fourth of July Parade\u003c/a> in Alameda\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://uss-hornet.org/event/4th-of-july-250th-birthday-of-america/\">America’s 250th Birthday aboard USS Hornet\u003c/a> in Alameda\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://piedmont.ca.gov/news/events/4th-of-july-parade\">Parade and picnic \u003c/a>in Piedmont\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.srvkiwanis.org/parade\">Fourth of July Parade\u003c/a> in Downtown Danville\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://downtownmartinez.org/4th-of-july-parade\">Fourth of July Parade\u003c/a> in Downtown Martinez\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanpabloca.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=7005&month=7&year=2026&day=4&calType=0\">Multicultural Fourth of July Celebration at the San Pablo Community Center\u003c/a> in San Pablo\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.antiochca.gov/221/Fourth-of-July-Celebration\">Fourth of July Celebration and Parade at Waldie Plaza\u003c/a> in Antioch\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://phjuly4.com/parade\">Fourth of July Parade\u003c/a> in Pleasant Hill\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZobLGNlarR/\">Festival at Monarch Bay Golf Club\u003c/a> in San Leandro\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://redoakvictory.us/events/\">Party on the SS Red Oak Victory\u003c/a> in Richmond\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>South Bay\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/CityofSouthSanFrancisco/posts/celebrate-americas-250th-birthday-with-the-south-san-francisco-community-at-a-sp/1410742167755823/\">Parade and picnic\u003c/a> in downtown South San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.rwbsj.org/the-parade\">Rose, White and Blue parade and festival\u003c/a> in San José\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.parade.org/parade/\">Fourth of July Parade and Festival\u003c/a> in Downtown Redwood City\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.menlopark.gov/Citywide-calendar/Community-events/20260704-4th-of-July\">Fourth of July Parade, picnic and circus at Burgess Park\u003c/a> in Menlo Park\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=5047&month=7&year=2026&day=4&calType=0\">Fourth of July Parade at Town Hall\u003c/a> in Los Altos Hills\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>North Bay\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>July 1 to July 5: \u003ca href=\"https://marinfair.org/\">Stars, Stripes and Stories at the Marin County Fair\u003c/a> in San Rafael\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 3: \u003ca href=\"https://cityofsthelena.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=2932\">Celebration at Crane Park\u003c/a> in St. Helena\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sonomacity.org/event/4th-of-july-parade-celebration-fireworks-show-3/\">Fourth of July Parade at the Plaza\u003c/a> in Sonoma\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>America 250 exhibits and longer-term events\u003c/h2>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Through Jan. 11: \u003ca href=\"https://www.huntington.org/exhibitions/this-land-is\">“This Land Is …” Exhibition at MaryLou and George Boone Gallery\u003c/a> in San Marino\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>June 21 to July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/news-mayor-lurie-announces-installation-with-49-beams-of-light-to-rise-above-civic-center-during-historic-summer-for-san-francisco\">“7X7,”\u003c/a> a public light installation in San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>June 29: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/commemorating-250-years-of-sf-at-its-birthplace-tickets-1990599811622\">Commemorating 250 Years of SF at its Birthplace at Manny’s\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>June 29 to July 4: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/250th-anniversary-weeklong-pass-tickets-1990810200902?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">A weeklong “exploration into the past, present, and future of SF & the United States” at Manny’s\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Through Nov. 8: \u003ca href=\"https://www.losaltoshistory.org/exhibit/commemorating-americas-250th/\">The Spirit of ’76 at the Los Altos History Museum\u003c/a> in Los Altos\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 1 to July 8: \u003ca href=\"https://discoverytrail.org/adt-relay-calendar\">A cross-country relay across America starts on Limantour Beach\u003c/a> in Marin County\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 1: \u003ca href=\"https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-07-01/humanities-west-presents-250th-anniversary-declaration-independence\">Humanities West presents the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence\u003c/a> at the Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 2: \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/commemorating-250-trans-250-art-exhibit-tickets-1990883647583\">Trans 250 Art Exhibit at Manny’s\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 11: \u003ca href=\"https://portchicagoweekend.org/event-omca.html\">Mutiny at Port Chicago: Black Resistance and Redemption at the Oakland Museum of California\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Something else to bear in mind: Until July 6, California State Parks is also \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1533\">offering a downloadable free pass\u003c/a> to celebrate America 250, which can be used for free entry to all state historic parks through Dec. 31.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"jumpstraighttooursectionontipsandregulationsaroundfireworks\">\u003c/a>Crucial reminders for fireworks safety in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How personal fireworks — and bonfires — can injure or kill you\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even before considering the huge risks of sparking a wildfire (more on this below), setting off your own fireworks — even when legally purchased in one of the areas that permits them — can be incredibly dangerous.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At a 2023 safety briefing, Dr. Clifford Sheckter, Director of the Regional Burn Center at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, gave graphic examples of the kinds of injuries — and even deaths — that attempting to set off your own fireworks can incur. On mortar-style fireworks, Sheckter warned that “if those go off in your hand, you are losing fingers, if not your whole hand. If this goes off by your face, you could end up blind.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And while sparklers might strike many folks as a small, innocuous kind of personal firework on July Fourth, Sheckter noted that not only are they illegal in many areas, but sparklers can also pose massive threats to children. “Kids think it’s a popsicle: They put it in their mouths, they put it near their faces, they give themselves pretty severe burns and end up on the burn unit for one to two weeks,” he warned.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11935568\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11935568\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/RS46625_009_SanFrancisco_Hospital_01142021-qut.jpg\" alt=\"An ambulance outside of a hospital.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/RS46625_009_SanFrancisco_Hospital_01142021-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/RS46625_009_SanFrancisco_Hospital_01142021-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/RS46625_009_SanFrancisco_Hospital_01142021-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/RS46625_009_SanFrancisco_Hospital_01142021-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/RS46625_009_SanFrancisco_Hospital_01142021-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco Fire Department ambulance leaves the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on Jan. 14, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Lt. Jonathan Baxter, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department, also told KQED in 2019 that \u003ca href=\"https://sf-fire.org/safety-resources-and-information/fireworks-safety\">sparklers are illegal in San Francisco\u003c/a> (and yes, sparklers are considered fireworks \u003ca href=\"https://www.calcityfire.us/residents/fireworks-info#:~:text=Are%20Sparklers%20Legal%20in%20California,dangerous%20fireworks%20and%20are%20illegal.\">according to the state\u003c/a>).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Sparklers burn at 1,800 degrees, which is [hot] enough to burn gold,” Baxter said. “So if it can burn gold, you can imagine what it can do to your hand.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sheckter particularly stressed the importance of not mixing alcohol and drugs with fireworks or fire, noting that “one of the most common injuries” his burns unit sees around the Fourth of July is incurred by people “mixing alcohol and bonfires.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you get wasted and fall into a bonfire, you’re either going to die, or you’re going to end up severely burned and on my burn unit for the next six months,” Sheckter said, warning of so-called sixth-degree burns that can extend down into a person’s bones. Injuries from these kinds of burns, Sheckter said, are very difficult to reconstruct and often necessitate tissue grafts or prostheses. Curious children wandering around campsites and grasping coals, embers or fire pit rings are also a common source of pediatric injuries.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How personal fireworks can spark wildfires at this time of year\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2021, \u003ca href=\"https://theconversation.com/skip-the-fireworks-this-record-dry-4th-of-july-over-150-wildfire-scientists-urge-the-us-west-163561\">over 150 fire scientists\u003c/a> were moved enough to join many fire officials across the West in urging residents to abandon their plans to launch personal fireworks on July Fourth because of the wildfire risks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Mishandled fireworks, specifically around the Fourth of July in California, have caused real damage in the past. In 2014, \u003ca href=\"https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/06/27/fourth-of-july-gone-bad-fireworks-casualty-warns-of-holiday-hazard/\">a reveler set off fireworks\u003c/a> in Yolo County near the Monticello Dam, igniting a 6,500-acre blaze that took days to put out, injured five firefighters and drove dozens of people from their homes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1944577/keep-your-fireworks-from-becoming-a-wildfire-this-fourth-of-july\">full list of tips on preventing causing a wildfire with your fireworks\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.baaqmd.gov/news-and-events/page-resources/2023-news/062923-fireworks?sc_lang=zh-TW&switch_lang=true\">Bay Area Air Quality Management District\u003c/a> also warned that “smoke from exploding fireworks results in elevated levels of particulate matter close to the ground, making it difficult for people to breathe, and may trigger asthma attacks, coughing, wheezing and eye irritation.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“At the local level, personal fireworks can cause unhealthy buildup in particulate matter pollution over the July 4 holiday,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.baaqmd.gov/news-and-events/page-resources/2023-news/062923-fireworks?sc_lang=zh-TW&switch_lang=true\">a 2023 statement reads\u003c/a>. “‘Safe and sane’ fireworks, like those purchased at pop-up fireworks stands, contain metal salts used to produce colors and can also cause excessive smoke.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Whether you’re planning to light up some fireworks or simply watch them from afar, here are a few safety tips compiled from experts around the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Check if your community allows for personal fireworks\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some types of fireworks — or any fireworks at all — are illegal in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“A legal firework has gone under testing by the state to ensure that the characteristics of it are inherently safer than those that don’t get our safety seal,” Daniel Berlant, deputy director of community wildfire preparedness and mitigation at Cal Fire, told KQED in 2022. “Really, any firework that explodes, goes up in the air or moves around the ground uncontrollably are considered illegal fireworks.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check this list to find out \u003ca href=\"https://ca-fireworks.presskit247.com/content/content-article.asp?ArticleID=508\">whether fireworks are legal in your city this Fourth of July\u003c/a> (and be sure to check any dates that apply).\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11878946\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11878946\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/06/OaklandFireworks.jpg\" alt=\"A display of fireworks in the city.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1047\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/06/OaklandFireworks.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/06/OaklandFireworks-800x436.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/06/OaklandFireworks-1020x556.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/06/OaklandFireworks-160x87.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/06/OaklandFireworks-1536x838.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Unsanctioned fireworks displays are seen over the East Bay on July 4, 2013. \u003ccite>(Eugene Eric Kim/Flickr)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Know that in some communities, even viewing an illegal fireworks show can get you into hot water. For example, in 2023, the City of San José began “holding spectators responsible for their role in the use of dangerous and illegal fireworks” by making anyone who is \u003ca href=\"https://library.municode.com/ca/san_jose/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT10PUPEMOWE_CH10.17FI_PT2SAUSPOSTFI_10.17.105SPPRFIEX\">“knowingly present and watching a fireworks exhibition”\u003c/a> subject to a fine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fireworks are also not permitted in \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1283#:~:text=No%20Fireworks%3A%20As%20a%20reminder,completely%20before%20leaving%20your%20site.\">California state parks\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/caha/learn/news/use-and-possession-of-fireworks-are-illegal-on-all-land-managed-by-national-park-service.htm\">National Park Service\u003c/a> land.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Check what \u003cem>kinds \u003c/em>of fireworks are allowed\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although certain fireworks are legal in much of California, the state has a zero-tolerance policy for both the sale and use of illegal fireworks, and violators may face fines of up to $50,000 and jail time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Illegal fireworks include firecrackers, Roman candles, skyrockets, bottle rockets, aerial shells and other fireworks that move on the ground or in the air uncontrollably.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Want to do a quick check? Look for the Safe and Sane label that indicates fire marshal approval. But sometimes \u003cem>even \u003c/em>Safe and Sane fireworks are banned, like \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/7371/4699\">in San José\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you do set off fireworks, plan your location wisely\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As well as being sure whether fireworks are even legal in your city this Fourth of July, consider where you’re setting them off.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We really are urging people to be extra cautious in wildland areas,” said Cal Fire’s Berlant, who notes that even in urban areas, fireworks can still spark a wildfire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11552046\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11552046\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks.jpg\" alt=\"Unsanctioned fireworks are seen over Oakland on July 4, 2017.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1167\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-160x97.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-800x486.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-1020x620.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-1180x717.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-960x584.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-240x146.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-375x228.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/07/OaklandFireworks-520x316.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Unsanctioned fireworks are seen over Oakland on July 4, 2017. \u003ccite>(Theodore Roddy/YouTube)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Berlant recommends you make “sure that Safe and Sane fireworks are used in areas that are cleared from vegetation” and are lit in “parking lots or in driveways that are surrounded by nothing that could catch on fire.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Be ready to douse a fire\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Never point fireworks at yourself or another person, and never attempt to relight or fix a firework that won’t light. Designate a sober, responsible adult to light up the fireworks. Light one firework at a time, far away from dry grass, and have a bucket of water or a hose handy in case something goes wrong. Also, this may sound obvious, but alcohol and fireworks do not mix well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Properly dispose of fireworks\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the end of the celebration, all used and misfired fireworks should be submerged in water for 15 minutes and wrapped in a plastic bag to keep them from drying up. Then, toss them in the household trash. Any unused fireworks that have not expired should be kept in a cool, dry place away from children.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>KQED also has a thorough guide on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12045728/2025-fourth-of-july-fireworks-san-francisco-bay-area-near-me-friday-pets-ptsd#ptsd\">firework safety for people with PTSD\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12045728/2025-fourth-of-july-fireworks-san-francisco-bay-area-near-me-friday-pets-ptsd#pets\">what to do with anxious pets during July Fourth celebrations\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "Going to San Francisco Pride 2026 This Weekend? Parade Times, Maps, Street Closures and Safety Advice",
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"headTitle": "Going to San Francisco Pride 2026 This Weekend? Parade Times, Maps, Street Closures and Safety Advice | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/san-francisco-pride\">San Francisco Pride 2026\u003c/a> — one of the biggest LGBTQ+ celebrations in the world — is just a few days away.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Organizers say that the event returns this year stronger than ever after facing some \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12031588/san-francisco-pride-struggles-secure-sponsorships-ahead-2025-parade\">financial challenges\u003c/a> last year. “San Francisco Pride \u003cem>is \u003c/em>going to happen,” said executive director Suzanne Ford. “Come to San Francisco’s Civic Center for the street fair, the celebration, all the music — and it’s all free.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ford added that this year’s theme, “Resistance in Action,” will be on display in both the \u003ca href=\"https://sfpride.org/celebration/\">Pride celebration at Civic Center\u003c/a> — which takes place on both Saturday and Sunday — and \u003ca href=\"https://sfpride.org/parade/\">Sunday’s Pride parade\u003c/a> down Market Street.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>SF Pride has also partnered with the progressive grassroots group \u003ca href=\"https://indivisiblesf.org/\">Indivisible SF\u003c/a>, the organizers behind \u003ca href=\"https://www.thedykemarch.org/\">SF Dyke March\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://juanitamore.com/about-peoples-march-rally\">People’s March\u003c/a>, and the motorcycle group \u003ca href=\"https://www.dykesonbikes.org/\">Dykes on Bikes\u003c/a> to host a \u003ca href=\"https://indivisiblesf.org/events/2026/06/27/trans-ally-rally\">Trans Ally Rally\u003c/a> on Saturday morning that will start at Embarcadero Plaza and end at Civic Center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#WhendoesSFPride2026start\">When does SF Pride 2026 start?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Pride weekend comes at a time when LGBTQ+ organizations nationwide are continuing to push back against \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/03/president-trump-ended-democrats-transgender-for-everybody-insanity/\">policies\u003c/a> from President Donald Trump’s administration \u003ca href=\"https://www.kff.org/lgbtq/overview-of-president-trumps-executive-actions-impacting-lgbtq-health/\">targeting\u003c/a> transgender and nonbinary people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Earlier this month, White House officials proposed \u003ca href=\"https://www.regulations.gov/document/OMB-2026-0034-0001\">new rules\u003c/a> that would block federal agencies from funding anything related to transgender people — a move the administration has called “ending government sponsorship of gender ideology.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11992644\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11992644\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/20240630_Pride_GC-35-KQED.jpg\" alt='A white person kisses another person on the cheek while holding a smartphone with other people holding signs that say \"Haney\" in rainbow lettering.' width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/20240630_Pride_GC-35-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/20240630_Pride_GC-35-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/20240630_Pride_GC-35-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/20240630_Pride_GC-35-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/20240630_Pride_GC-35-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/20240630_Pride_GC-35-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Two individuals rejoice during the Pride Parade in San Francisco on June 30, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“We want allies to come out in the street and show their support for trans people,” Ford said of SF Pride.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And all over the Bay Area, there are protests, parties and workshops scheduled throughout the weekend. As you make your Pride plans, keep this guide handy to know what’s happening in downtown San Francisco and elsewhere — and see what public health officials are recommending to stay safe while having fun this weekend.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WhendoesSFPride2026start\">\u003c/a>When is SF Pride 2026?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>This year, SF Pride falls on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What’s happening when? The SF Pride Celebration is a free two-day event in the city’s Civic Center that includes several block parties and musical performances from noon–6 p.m. on both days. On Sunday, the main stage will be hosted by political activist and drag performer Honey Mahogany and Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and will feature performances by Oakland rapper Kamaiyah, the pop duo Aly & AJ and the ballroom collective \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13968489/bay-area-ballroom-vogueing-oakland-to-all-ball\">Oakland to All\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087035\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087035\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PRIDE-MAP-2026.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2182\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PRIDE-MAP-2026.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PRIDE-MAP-2026-160x175.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PRIDE-MAP-2026-1408x1536.jpg 1408w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PRIDE-MAP-2026-1877x2048.jpg 1877w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A map showing the SF Pride parade route for Sunday, June 28, 2026. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of SF Pride)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>SF Pride’s legendary Pride Parade takes place at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday and will move through Market Street. The parade starts at the intersection of Beale and Market streets and ends at Civic Center Plaza. Community members can also be part of the parade by \u003ca href=\"http://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdajgPcR3VBDAqPArT2uHfjc06nkVDus95Ilf_4QZbEhDB8mw/viewform\">joining SF Pride’s “Resistance in Action!” contingent\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Organizers have also planned a \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vip-party-at-asian-art-museum-tickets-1987280776298?aff=oddtdtcreator\">“VIP Party” on Sunday\u003c/a> inside the Asian Art Museum, right in front of Civic Center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Two additional major events taking place in SF Pride week, which aren’t produced by SF Pride: The Trans March \u003ca href=\"https://transmarch.org/\">will take place\u003c/a> on Friday at Dolores Park, and the Dyke March is \u003ca href=\"https://www.thedykemarch.org/\">scheduled for Saturday\u003c/a> and will also start at Dolores Park.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What streets will be closed for the SF Pride parade and celebration?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Multiple street closures will begin even before the celebrations start. On Thursday at 7 p.m., Grove Street will be closed between Polk and Larkin streets, and reopen on Monday at 6 a.m.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Friday, the following streets will be closed and reopen on Monday morning:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Fulton between Hyde and Larkin\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Grove between Van Ness and Hyde\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Starting at 12:01 a.m., Polk between McAllister and Grove, and at 8 p.m., Polk between Golden Gate and Hayes\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Starting at 12:01 a.m., Larkin between McAllister and Market, and at 8 p.m., Larkin between Golden Gate and Grove\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Starting at 8 p.m., McAllister between Van Ness and Leavenworth\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Starting at 8 p.m., Hyde between Golden Gate and Market\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The 5 Fulton, 6 Hayes/Parnassus, 19 Polk and 27 Bryant Muni bus lines will also be partially rerouted around the Civic Center area. SFMTA has provided \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/travel-updates/san-francisco-pride-festival-weekend-saturday-sunday-june-27-28-2026\">a full list\u003c/a> of which stops will be skipped and where passengers can board their bus instead.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Will I be able to find parking at SF Pride?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you plan to park near Market Street on Sunday for the SF Pride Parade, you may want to rethink that strategy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Finding\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086537/paying-for-parking-in-san-francisco-make-sure-youre-using-the-right-apps\"> a public parking spot in downtown San Francisco\u003c/a> is already difficult on any other day of the year and nearly impossible during Pride. If you’re determined to drive into the city that weekend, there are private parking lots downtown, but bear in mind that they can be pricey, usually charging at least $30-$40 per hour, and likely more during big events.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12046509\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12046509\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-21-BL.jpg\" alt=\"Several people wearing colorful clothing stand next to each other behind a barricade.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-21-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-21-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-21-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A crowd watches the San Francisco Pride Parade on June 29, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Alternatively, you may need to drive to pretty far-off neighborhoods to find a spot. Or you can reserve a parking spot ahead of time \u003ca href=\"https://spothero.com/search?kind=address&latitude=37.793301236424945&longitude=-122.39645940189274&%243p=a_hasoffers&%24affiliate_json=http%3A%2F%2Ftracking.spothero.com%2Faff_c%3Foffer_id%3D1%26aff_id%3D1433%26file_id%3D28%26source%3Dsfpridestartline%26aff_sub2%3Dparkingpage%26format%3Djson&_branch_match_id=1326649323374618505&utm_source=Partnerships&utm_campaign=Tune_Platform&utm_medium=paid+advertising&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA32SwU7EIBCGn6bc7LZA260JMSbq0Yvx3MxSusVlCwI18e0dtnWzrsaEy%2FzDzPzzwRijC7ebTXA2jsrbHJzLjZ4OmxhKR5%2FfX1R5d9BTL6DvvQqBGIg6zr0SrMmblrGipKzmlLe8IsZO%2ByV5U1Kas7bmVcuLctvShpOMcuYEdCMEOwzKh6TAMGijIaruLdhJjOgnY%2FcZfcITPUicvc%2FP7qQ9oo41nczY06lLp%2FuMPZQZrZO8BJwxjLGxWgS6xTDY2UuFURic170KEXzEVdVaGuYdxawDn2Y62KfEYP0RIsrJHZm9OTkMZ4u%2FuCXbZ3LoMaNVWhs7XCyOja%2B8Z82jNFoeVqWgTVNx4JzSpq4L2FY71ZYVg%2B1OFut1G2InZ%2B%2FVJD%2Bx5vXl4SLxAWZOu66Xg5J26sF%2Fdm7eGR3QMiYTlBG68xOs0j%2Bc9hZMgkRJkKM6qoUGGXGk%2BIWCOIij%2BAHkjz9waiko%2BQYiSrI4ENfzyQUk8T8icg1IIB7yA44ovgD2DmjT%2FAIAAA%3D%3D&view=dl\">using SpotHero\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another option is to drive to a BART station outside the city, park there, and take BART to any of the downtown San Francisco stations on Market Street (Civic Center, Powell, Montgomery and Embarcadero). That way, you’ll avoid the weekend traffic coming into the city on the Bay Bridge or Highway 101.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Are there things I can’t bring to San Francisco Pride?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>There are usually security checkpoints to get into both the Pride parade and the celebrations at the Civic Center. Event organizers \u003ca href=\"https://sfpride.org/safety/\">strongly recommend\u003c/a> people travel light and bring their ID, cell phone, sunscreen, and an empty reusable water bottle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>SF Pride is discouraging attendees from bringing any kind of bag to speed up entry into the event, but will allow some bags to pass through, including:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags that do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Small clutch bags or purses no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Fanny packs or crossbody bags smaller than 12″ × 6″ × 4″\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The following items will not be allowed during Pride weekend:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Weapons of any kind (regardless of permit)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Alcoholic beverages or outside food\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Drones or remote-control aircraft\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Bikes or hoverboards\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Chairs of any kind\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Selfie sticks or professional camera equipment without media credentials\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Pets (service animals welcome)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://sfpride.org/safety/\">Check out the full list of banned items at SF Pride.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What’s the weather like in San Francisco during Pride weekend?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The National Weather Service has an optimistic forecast for Pride weekend: mostly sunny and temperatures in the high 60s on both Friday and Saturday, and a sunny Sunday in the low 70s.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But remember that this is San Francisco, where the weather can change very quickly. Even on a sunny day, it’s normal for the weather to still feel chilly, thanks to the strong winds pushing in from the bay. And nighttime temperatures throughout this week are predicted to be in the 50s — so it’s a good idea to bring a warm jacket along if you’re staying after the celebrations to party some more in the city.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What to know about accessibility at SF Pride\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The Pride parade has a free accessible viewing area, which organizers say provides an “unobstructed parade viewing at no cost for you and one guest.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In order to request a spot, you’ll need to \u003ca href=\"https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsSAMJ_jH4mwg3hMMClLSsVuwqPqqTEn4kYIA1RIBA11igEQ/viewform\">complete an online form\u003c/a>, but organizers add that space is limited and spots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12046511\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12046511\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-22-BL.jpg\" alt=\"A person wearing an elaborate dress walks in the street.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-22-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-22-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-22-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Siam Phusri, a Thai drag performer, marches in the San Francisco Pride Parade on June 29, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>SF Pride also offers American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and a special seating platform at the Civic Center celebration on both days. To access this service, you’ll need to pick up a wristband at the SF Pride information booth at Fulton and Larkin streets.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’re taking BART to Pride, all BART stations have accessible elevators, but keep in mind that technical issues with these elevators are unfortunately common. You can sign up for BART alerts to be notified if the elevator at your station breaks down, or you can also call 510-834-LIFT to check the status of the elevator at any station.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Keeping each other safe at SF Pride\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For decades, Pride in San Francisco has been a time when LGBTQ+ people have come together to \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfaf.org/resource-library/sfaf-history/\">advocate\u003c/a> for the health needs of their community. Part of celebrating Pride is honoring that legacy and protecting our own sexual health and that of our partners.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Talk with your partners and provider about when you last tested for an STI (sexually transmitted infection) and make testing part of your regular health routine,” a spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Public Health told KQED.[aside postID=news_12061805 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/1.png']If you have insurance, call your health care provider and share that you need to know your status ahead of Pride weekend. And if you are uninsured, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082251/after-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-free-clinics-are-stepping-up\">multiple clinics\u003c/a> and LGBTQ+ community centers around the Bay Area offer free or low-cost STI testing, including:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/cityclinic\">San Francisco City Clinic\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sffc.org/\">San Francisco Free Clinic\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.clinicbythebay.org/\">Clinic by the Bay\u003c/a> (San Francisco)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.berkeleyfreeclinic.org/sti-testing\">Berkeley Free Clinic\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.defrankcenter.org/hiv-testing\">Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center\u003c/a> (San José)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.jewishfreeclinic.org/scheduling-hours\">Jewish Community Free Clinic\u003c/a> (Santa Rosa)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Residents of Alameda and Contra Costa counties can also request \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebgtz.org/get-tested-treated/\">at-home HIV tests\u003c/a> mailed to the address of their choice for free.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Public health officials also advise that folks learn about doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis — or \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/cityclinic-get-doxypep\">doxy-PEP\u003c/a> — an antibiotic taken after sex that research has shown to be highly effective at preventing syphilis and chlamydia. As for HIV prevention, pre-exposure prophylaxis — or PrEP — can help protect folks from an HIV infection and can be taken as a pill or an injection. Vaccines are also available to help prevent hepatitis A, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (HPV), meningitis, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12080320/mpox-clade-i-san-francisco-2026-symptoms-rash-where-to-find-monkeypox-vaccine\">mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) infections\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Preventing a dangerous overdose\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Taking party drugs (molly, cocaine, ketamine or 2C-B, also known as tusi or pink cocaine ) has become more dangerous in recent years, as these drugs are now being laced with fentanyl \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/09/14/1199396794/fentanyl-mixed-with-cocaine-or-meth-is-driving-the-4th-wave-of-the-overdose-cris\">more frequently\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Public health advocates recommend that anyone who plans to consume drugs should test them ahead of time for fentanyl. The nonprofit FentCheck provides \u003ca href=\"https://fentcheck.org/check-your-drugs-1\">a list of bars and other community spaces\u003c/a> that offer fentanyl test strips.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Something else to consider bringing with you when going out: Narcan, the brand name for a naloxone nasal spray that is administered to someone when they are experiencing an opioid overdose (including from fentanyl).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Anyone can buy Narcan at a pharmacy without needing a prescription, and you can also get it \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/location/behavioral-health-access-center-bhac\">free of charge\u003c/a> at the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s Community Behavioral Health Services pharmacy at 1380 Howard St. The pharmacy is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/san-francisco-pride\">San Francisco Pride 2026\u003c/a> — one of the biggest LGBTQ+ celebrations in the world — is just a few days away.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Organizers say that the event returns this year stronger than ever after facing some \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12031588/san-francisco-pride-struggles-secure-sponsorships-ahead-2025-parade\">financial challenges\u003c/a> last year. “San Francisco Pride \u003cem>is \u003c/em>going to happen,” said executive director Suzanne Ford. “Come to San Francisco’s Civic Center for the street fair, the celebration, all the music — and it’s all free.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ford added that this year’s theme, “Resistance in Action,” will be on display in both the \u003ca href=\"https://sfpride.org/celebration/\">Pride celebration at Civic Center\u003c/a> — which takes place on both Saturday and Sunday — and \u003ca href=\"https://sfpride.org/parade/\">Sunday’s Pride parade\u003c/a> down Market Street.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>SF Pride has also partnered with the progressive grassroots group \u003ca href=\"https://indivisiblesf.org/\">Indivisible SF\u003c/a>, the organizers behind \u003ca href=\"https://www.thedykemarch.org/\">SF Dyke March\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://juanitamore.com/about-peoples-march-rally\">People’s March\u003c/a>, and the motorcycle group \u003ca href=\"https://www.dykesonbikes.org/\">Dykes on Bikes\u003c/a> to host a \u003ca href=\"https://indivisiblesf.org/events/2026/06/27/trans-ally-rally\">Trans Ally Rally\u003c/a> on Saturday morning that will start at Embarcadero Plaza and end at Civic Center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#WhendoesSFPride2026start\">When does SF Pride 2026 start?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Pride weekend comes at a time when LGBTQ+ organizations nationwide are continuing to push back against \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/03/president-trump-ended-democrats-transgender-for-everybody-insanity/\">policies\u003c/a> from President Donald Trump’s administration \u003ca href=\"https://www.kff.org/lgbtq/overview-of-president-trumps-executive-actions-impacting-lgbtq-health/\">targeting\u003c/a> transgender and nonbinary people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Earlier this month, White House officials proposed \u003ca href=\"https://www.regulations.gov/document/OMB-2026-0034-0001\">new rules\u003c/a> that would block federal agencies from funding anything related to transgender people — a move the administration has called “ending government sponsorship of gender ideology.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11992644\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11992644\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/20240630_Pride_GC-35-KQED.jpg\" alt='A white person kisses another person on the cheek while holding a smartphone with other people holding signs that say \"Haney\" in rainbow lettering.' width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/20240630_Pride_GC-35-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/20240630_Pride_GC-35-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/20240630_Pride_GC-35-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/20240630_Pride_GC-35-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/20240630_Pride_GC-35-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/20240630_Pride_GC-35-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Two individuals rejoice during the Pride Parade in San Francisco on June 30, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“We want allies to come out in the street and show their support for trans people,” Ford said of SF Pride.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And all over the Bay Area, there are protests, parties and workshops scheduled throughout the weekend. As you make your Pride plans, keep this guide handy to know what’s happening in downtown San Francisco and elsewhere — and see what public health officials are recommending to stay safe while having fun this weekend.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WhendoesSFPride2026start\">\u003c/a>When is SF Pride 2026?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>This year, SF Pride falls on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What’s happening when? The SF Pride Celebration is a free two-day event in the city’s Civic Center that includes several block parties and musical performances from noon–6 p.m. on both days. On Sunday, the main stage will be hosted by political activist and drag performer Honey Mahogany and Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and will feature performances by Oakland rapper Kamaiyah, the pop duo Aly & AJ and the ballroom collective \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13968489/bay-area-ballroom-vogueing-oakland-to-all-ball\">Oakland to All\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087035\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087035\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PRIDE-MAP-2026.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2182\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PRIDE-MAP-2026.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PRIDE-MAP-2026-160x175.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PRIDE-MAP-2026-1408x1536.jpg 1408w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PRIDE-MAP-2026-1877x2048.jpg 1877w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A map showing the SF Pride parade route for Sunday, June 28, 2026. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of SF Pride)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>SF Pride’s legendary Pride Parade takes place at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday and will move through Market Street. The parade starts at the intersection of Beale and Market streets and ends at Civic Center Plaza. Community members can also be part of the parade by \u003ca href=\"http://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdajgPcR3VBDAqPArT2uHfjc06nkVDus95Ilf_4QZbEhDB8mw/viewform\">joining SF Pride’s “Resistance in Action!” contingent\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Organizers have also planned a \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vip-party-at-asian-art-museum-tickets-1987280776298?aff=oddtdtcreator\">“VIP Party” on Sunday\u003c/a> inside the Asian Art Museum, right in front of Civic Center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Two additional major events taking place in SF Pride week, which aren’t produced by SF Pride: The Trans March \u003ca href=\"https://transmarch.org/\">will take place\u003c/a> on Friday at Dolores Park, and the Dyke March is \u003ca href=\"https://www.thedykemarch.org/\">scheduled for Saturday\u003c/a> and will also start at Dolores Park.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What streets will be closed for the SF Pride parade and celebration?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Multiple street closures will begin even before the celebrations start. On Thursday at 7 p.m., Grove Street will be closed between Polk and Larkin streets, and reopen on Monday at 6 a.m.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Friday, the following streets will be closed and reopen on Monday morning:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Fulton between Hyde and Larkin\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Grove between Van Ness and Hyde\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Starting at 12:01 a.m., Polk between McAllister and Grove, and at 8 p.m., Polk between Golden Gate and Hayes\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Starting at 12:01 a.m., Larkin between McAllister and Market, and at 8 p.m., Larkin between Golden Gate and Grove\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Starting at 8 p.m., McAllister between Van Ness and Leavenworth\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Starting at 8 p.m., Hyde between Golden Gate and Market\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The 5 Fulton, 6 Hayes/Parnassus, 19 Polk and 27 Bryant Muni bus lines will also be partially rerouted around the Civic Center area. SFMTA has provided \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/travel-updates/san-francisco-pride-festival-weekend-saturday-sunday-june-27-28-2026\">a full list\u003c/a> of which stops will be skipped and where passengers can board their bus instead.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Will I be able to find parking at SF Pride?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you plan to park near Market Street on Sunday for the SF Pride Parade, you may want to rethink that strategy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Finding\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086537/paying-for-parking-in-san-francisco-make-sure-youre-using-the-right-apps\"> a public parking spot in downtown San Francisco\u003c/a> is already difficult on any other day of the year and nearly impossible during Pride. If you’re determined to drive into the city that weekend, there are private parking lots downtown, but bear in mind that they can be pricey, usually charging at least $30-$40 per hour, and likely more during big events.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12046509\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12046509\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-21-BL.jpg\" alt=\"Several people wearing colorful clothing stand next to each other behind a barricade.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-21-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-21-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-21-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A crowd watches the San Francisco Pride Parade on June 29, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Alternatively, you may need to drive to pretty far-off neighborhoods to find a spot. Or you can reserve a parking spot ahead of time \u003ca href=\"https://spothero.com/search?kind=address&latitude=37.793301236424945&longitude=-122.39645940189274&%243p=a_hasoffers&%24affiliate_json=http%3A%2F%2Ftracking.spothero.com%2Faff_c%3Foffer_id%3D1%26aff_id%3D1433%26file_id%3D28%26source%3Dsfpridestartline%26aff_sub2%3Dparkingpage%26format%3Djson&_branch_match_id=1326649323374618505&utm_source=Partnerships&utm_campaign=Tune_Platform&utm_medium=paid+advertising&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA32SwU7EIBCGn6bc7LZA260JMSbq0Yvx3MxSusVlCwI18e0dtnWzrsaEy%2FzDzPzzwRijC7ebTXA2jsrbHJzLjZ4OmxhKR5%2FfX1R5d9BTL6DvvQqBGIg6zr0SrMmblrGipKzmlLe8IsZO%2ByV5U1Kas7bmVcuLctvShpOMcuYEdCMEOwzKh6TAMGijIaruLdhJjOgnY%2FcZfcITPUicvc%2FP7qQ9oo41nczY06lLp%2FuMPZQZrZO8BJwxjLGxWgS6xTDY2UuFURic170KEXzEVdVaGuYdxawDn2Y62KfEYP0RIsrJHZm9OTkMZ4u%2FuCXbZ3LoMaNVWhs7XCyOja%2B8Z82jNFoeVqWgTVNx4JzSpq4L2FY71ZYVg%2B1OFut1G2InZ%2B%2FVJD%2Bx5vXl4SLxAWZOu66Xg5J26sF%2Fdm7eGR3QMiYTlBG68xOs0j%2Bc9hZMgkRJkKM6qoUGGXGk%2BIWCOIij%2BAHkjz9waiko%2BQYiSrI4ENfzyQUk8T8icg1IIB7yA44ovgD2DmjT%2FAIAAA%3D%3D&view=dl\">using SpotHero\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another option is to drive to a BART station outside the city, park there, and take BART to any of the downtown San Francisco stations on Market Street (Civic Center, Powell, Montgomery and Embarcadero). That way, you’ll avoid the weekend traffic coming into the city on the Bay Bridge or Highway 101.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Are there things I can’t bring to San Francisco Pride?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>There are usually security checkpoints to get into both the Pride parade and the celebrations at the Civic Center. Event organizers \u003ca href=\"https://sfpride.org/safety/\">strongly recommend\u003c/a> people travel light and bring their ID, cell phone, sunscreen, and an empty reusable water bottle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>SF Pride is discouraging attendees from bringing any kind of bag to speed up entry into the event, but will allow some bags to pass through, including:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags that do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Small clutch bags or purses no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Fanny packs or crossbody bags smaller than 12″ × 6″ × 4″\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The following items will not be allowed during Pride weekend:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Weapons of any kind (regardless of permit)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Alcoholic beverages or outside food\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Drones or remote-control aircraft\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Bikes or hoverboards\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Chairs of any kind\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Selfie sticks or professional camera equipment without media credentials\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Pets (service animals welcome)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://sfpride.org/safety/\">Check out the full list of banned items at SF Pride.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What’s the weather like in San Francisco during Pride weekend?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The National Weather Service has an optimistic forecast for Pride weekend: mostly sunny and temperatures in the high 60s on both Friday and Saturday, and a sunny Sunday in the low 70s.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But remember that this is San Francisco, where the weather can change very quickly. Even on a sunny day, it’s normal for the weather to still feel chilly, thanks to the strong winds pushing in from the bay. And nighttime temperatures throughout this week are predicted to be in the 50s — so it’s a good idea to bring a warm jacket along if you’re staying after the celebrations to party some more in the city.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What to know about accessibility at SF Pride\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The Pride parade has a free accessible viewing area, which organizers say provides an “unobstructed parade viewing at no cost for you and one guest.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In order to request a spot, you’ll need to \u003ca href=\"https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsSAMJ_jH4mwg3hMMClLSsVuwqPqqTEn4kYIA1RIBA11igEQ/viewform\">complete an online form\u003c/a>, but organizers add that space is limited and spots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12046511\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12046511\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-22-BL.jpg\" alt=\"A person wearing an elaborate dress walks in the street.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-22-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-22-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/250629-SFPrideParade-22-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Siam Phusri, a Thai drag performer, marches in the San Francisco Pride Parade on June 29, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>SF Pride also offers American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and a special seating platform at the Civic Center celebration on both days. To access this service, you’ll need to pick up a wristband at the SF Pride information booth at Fulton and Larkin streets.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’re taking BART to Pride, all BART stations have accessible elevators, but keep in mind that technical issues with these elevators are unfortunately common. You can sign up for BART alerts to be notified if the elevator at your station breaks down, or you can also call 510-834-LIFT to check the status of the elevator at any station.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Keeping each other safe at SF Pride\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For decades, Pride in San Francisco has been a time when LGBTQ+ people have come together to \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfaf.org/resource-library/sfaf-history/\">advocate\u003c/a> for the health needs of their community. Part of celebrating Pride is honoring that legacy and protecting our own sexual health and that of our partners.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Talk with your partners and provider about when you last tested for an STI (sexually transmitted infection) and make testing part of your regular health routine,” a spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Public Health told KQED.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>If you have insurance, call your health care provider and share that you need to know your status ahead of Pride weekend. And if you are uninsured, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082251/after-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-free-clinics-are-stepping-up\">multiple clinics\u003c/a> and LGBTQ+ community centers around the Bay Area offer free or low-cost STI testing, including:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/cityclinic\">San Francisco City Clinic\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sffc.org/\">San Francisco Free Clinic\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.clinicbythebay.org/\">Clinic by the Bay\u003c/a> (San Francisco)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.berkeleyfreeclinic.org/sti-testing\">Berkeley Free Clinic\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.defrankcenter.org/hiv-testing\">Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center\u003c/a> (San José)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.jewishfreeclinic.org/scheduling-hours\">Jewish Community Free Clinic\u003c/a> (Santa Rosa)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Residents of Alameda and Contra Costa counties can also request \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebgtz.org/get-tested-treated/\">at-home HIV tests\u003c/a> mailed to the address of their choice for free.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Public health officials also advise that folks learn about doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis — or \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/cityclinic-get-doxypep\">doxy-PEP\u003c/a> — an antibiotic taken after sex that research has shown to be highly effective at preventing syphilis and chlamydia. As for HIV prevention, pre-exposure prophylaxis — or PrEP — can help protect folks from an HIV infection and can be taken as a pill or an injection. Vaccines are also available to help prevent hepatitis A, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (HPV), meningitis, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12080320/mpox-clade-i-san-francisco-2026-symptoms-rash-where-to-find-monkeypox-vaccine\">mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) infections\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Preventing a dangerous overdose\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Taking party drugs (molly, cocaine, ketamine or 2C-B, also known as tusi or pink cocaine ) has become more dangerous in recent years, as these drugs are now being laced with fentanyl \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/09/14/1199396794/fentanyl-mixed-with-cocaine-or-meth-is-driving-the-4th-wave-of-the-overdose-cris\">more frequently\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Public health advocates recommend that anyone who plans to consume drugs should test them ahead of time for fentanyl. The nonprofit FentCheck provides \u003ca href=\"https://fentcheck.org/check-your-drugs-1\">a list of bars and other community spaces\u003c/a> that offer fentanyl test strips.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Something else to consider bringing with you when going out: Narcan, the brand name for a naloxone nasal spray that is administered to someone when they are experiencing an opioid overdose (including from fentanyl).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Anyone can buy Narcan at a pharmacy without needing a prescription, and you can also get it \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/location/behavioral-health-access-center-bhac\">free of charge\u003c/a> at the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s Community Behavioral Health Services pharmacy at 1380 Howard St. The pharmacy is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "Primary 2026: Still Need to Vote on Election Day? Here’s Where to Do It (and Why You Shouldn’t Mail Your Ballot)",
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"headTitle": "Primary 2026: Still Need to Vote on Election Day? Here’s Where to Do It (and Why You Shouldn’t Mail Your Ballot) | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>Tuesday is \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/electionsnews\">Election Day\u003c/a> in California, so it’s your last chance to vote in the state primary election — and to cast your vote for who should be the next governor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you still need to vote before 8 p.m., you’re not alone. As of Sunday, less than\u003ca href=\"https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/statewide-elections/2026-primary/bsr-statistics.pdf\"> 17%\u003c/a> of registered voters in California returned their ballots, according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">data\u003c/a> from the Secretary of State.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Luckily, you have lots of options for how to cast your vote on Election Day itself. One big thing to know: At this stage, officials say \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12085378/usps-changes-ballot-drop-box-near-me-deadline-california-primary-vote-for-governor\">you should definitely \u003cem>not \u003c/em>mail your ballot\u003c/a> using a United States Postal Service mail collection box, since it now runs the risk of being postmarked too late to be counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for all the ways you can vote on Tuesday. If you still want to learn more about the candidates and measures on your ballot, including the candidates vying for state governor, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\">take a look at our comprehensive KQED voter guide.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’ve already filled out your ballot but you’re worried you’ve made a mistake, read \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\">our guide on addressing common ballot errors\u003c/a> before you submit it. The good news: If you’re \u003cem>really \u003c/em>concerned, you still have options to get a fresh ballot or vote in person, even on Tuesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I’ve filled out my ballot. Where can I submit it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\">make sure you’ve signed the back\u003c/a> of your ballot and included the right date and your address. (It can be easy to forget when you’re rushing.) Then:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Find a secure election drop box near you\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Visit the\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> state of California lookup tool\u003c/a>, where you can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Enter your county (adding your city or ZIP code will give more localized results, but it’s optional).\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Check the “Drop Off Location” box.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Hit “Search” to see all the drop-off locations in that area.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11847168\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11847168\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45623_026_KQED_SanFrancisco_BallotDropOff_10312020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"Voters drop off their mail-in ballots at the Chase Center official ballot drop-off location on Oct. 31, 2020.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45623_026_KQED_SanFrancisco_BallotDropOff_10312020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45623_026_KQED_SanFrancisco_BallotDropOff_10312020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45623_026_KQED_SanFrancisco_BallotDropOff_10312020-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45623_026_KQED_SanFrancisco_BallotDropOff_10312020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45623_026_KQED_SanFrancisco_BallotDropOff_10312020-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters drop off their mail-in ballots at the Chase Center official ballot drop-off location on Oct. 31, 2020. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Submit it at a voting location near you\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Use the\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> state of California lookup tool\u003c/a> and check the “Early Voting” box to see all the Election Day voting locations near you. You can then take your ballot to one of these locations and hand-deliver it there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another perk of dropping off your ballot at a voting location during operating hours: If you have a few lingering questions about your ballot or the process, chances are good that you’ll find someone there to help answer them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t mail your ballot using USPS on Tuesday\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember: State officials — and USPS — stress that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\">you shouldn’t \u003cem>mail \u003c/em>your ballot on Election Day\u003c/a>, because there’s a real risk it might be postmarked too late for it to be counted at this stage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead, find a secure official election drop box or take it to an open voting location and submit it there. You can also take it to the counter at an open post office on Tuesday and ask them to postmark it today.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Regardless of how you deliver it, you can\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> sign up to track your ballot’s progress with the “Where’s My Ballot?” online tool\u003c/a>, for reassurance that it’s on its way to being counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Where can I vote in person on Election Day?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Until 8 p.m. on Election Day, in-person voting is still available at every county registrar’s office (also known as your county’s elections office) in the Bay Area. If you’re a San Francisco voter, this location will be City Hall.\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> Find your county registrar’s office and opening hours.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check your mail-in ballot to see where you can vote and whether you’ve been assigned a specific polling place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11846400\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11846400\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/002_KQED_SanFrancisco_PollingPlaces_Columbarium_11032020.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/002_KQED_SanFrancisco_PollingPlaces_Columbarium_11032020.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/002_KQED_SanFrancisco_PollingPlaces_Columbarium_11032020-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/002_KQED_SanFrancisco_PollingPlaces_Columbarium_11032020-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/002_KQED_SanFrancisco_PollingPlaces_Columbarium_11032020-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/002_KQED_SanFrancisco_PollingPlaces_Columbarium_11032020-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The San Francisco Columbarium and Funeral Home polling place on Nov. 3, 2020 \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in San Francisco, Contra Costa or Solano counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You are assigned a specific polling place, though Contra Costa County election officials say they can process your ballot no matter where you show up to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even if you live in a county that assigns you a particular polling place, you can still vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> your county registrar’s office\u003c/a>.[aside label=\"2026 California Voter Guide\" link1='https://www.kqed.org/voterguide,Learn everything you need to cast an informed ballot for the 2026 primary election' hero=https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/80/2026/04/Aside-California-Voter-Guide-2026-Primary-Election-1200x1200@2x.png]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Sonoma counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can vote at any voting location — known as Vote Centers — including your county registrar’s office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> find your voting location through the state’s lookup tool\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Do I need to bring my ballot with me?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’d like to cast a ballot in person, it’s a good idea to bring the blank ballot you were mailed, as some counties may require you to vote provisionally if you don’t bring it. If you’re issued a new ballot when you vote in person, any ballot you left at home will be canceled.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Provisional votes are subject to extra checks — confirming that you’re actually registered to vote in California, or that you didn’t already complete and mail your ballot — and this extra layer of confirmation takes time. That means that although your vote will eventually be counted, it might not be tallied on Election Day itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I still need to register to vote. Can I do this on Election Day?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’ve changed your name or the political party choice that you previously registered to vote with, or you’ve moved addresses, you’ll need to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> reregister\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can’t do this online on Election Day, but you can still complete the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location. This system enables you to fill out and submit your ballot then and there, up until polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to voter registration, many voting locations also offer replacement ballots, accessible voting machines and language assistance.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How can I contact my county directly about voting?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Tuesday is \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/electionsnews\">Election Day\u003c/a> in California, so it’s your last chance to vote in the state primary election — and to cast your vote for who should be the next governor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you still need to vote before 8 p.m., you’re not alone. As of Sunday, less than\u003ca href=\"https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/statewide-elections/2026-primary/bsr-statistics.pdf\"> 17%\u003c/a> of registered voters in California returned their ballots, according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">data\u003c/a> from the Secretary of State.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Luckily, you have lots of options for how to cast your vote on Election Day itself. One big thing to know: At this stage, officials say \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12085378/usps-changes-ballot-drop-box-near-me-deadline-california-primary-vote-for-governor\">you should definitely \u003cem>not \u003c/em>mail your ballot\u003c/a> using a United States Postal Service mail collection box, since it now runs the risk of being postmarked too late to be counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for all the ways you can vote on Tuesday. If you still want to learn more about the candidates and measures on your ballot, including the candidates vying for state governor, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\">take a look at our comprehensive KQED voter guide.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’ve already filled out your ballot but you’re worried you’ve made a mistake, read \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\">our guide on addressing common ballot errors\u003c/a> before you submit it. The good news: If you’re \u003cem>really \u003c/em>concerned, you still have options to get a fresh ballot or vote in person, even on Tuesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I’ve filled out my ballot. Where can I submit it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\">make sure you’ve signed the back\u003c/a> of your ballot and included the right date and your address. (It can be easy to forget when you’re rushing.) Then:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Find a secure election drop box near you\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Visit the\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> state of California lookup tool\u003c/a>, where you can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Enter your county (adding your city or ZIP code will give more localized results, but it’s optional).\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Check the “Drop Off Location” box.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Hit “Search” to see all the drop-off locations in that area.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11847168\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11847168\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45623_026_KQED_SanFrancisco_BallotDropOff_10312020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"Voters drop off their mail-in ballots at the Chase Center official ballot drop-off location on Oct. 31, 2020.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45623_026_KQED_SanFrancisco_BallotDropOff_10312020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45623_026_KQED_SanFrancisco_BallotDropOff_10312020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45623_026_KQED_SanFrancisco_BallotDropOff_10312020-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45623_026_KQED_SanFrancisco_BallotDropOff_10312020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45623_026_KQED_SanFrancisco_BallotDropOff_10312020-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters drop off their mail-in ballots at the Chase Center official ballot drop-off location on Oct. 31, 2020. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Submit it at a voting location near you\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Use the\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> state of California lookup tool\u003c/a> and check the “Early Voting” box to see all the Election Day voting locations near you. You can then take your ballot to one of these locations and hand-deliver it there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another perk of dropping off your ballot at a voting location during operating hours: If you have a few lingering questions about your ballot or the process, chances are good that you’ll find someone there to help answer them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t mail your ballot using USPS on Tuesday\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember: State officials — and USPS — stress that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\">you shouldn’t \u003cem>mail \u003c/em>your ballot on Election Day\u003c/a>, because there’s a real risk it might be postmarked too late for it to be counted at this stage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead, find a secure official election drop box or take it to an open voting location and submit it there. You can also take it to the counter at an open post office on Tuesday and ask them to postmark it today.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Regardless of how you deliver it, you can\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> sign up to track your ballot’s progress with the “Where’s My Ballot?” online tool\u003c/a>, for reassurance that it’s on its way to being counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Where can I vote in person on Election Day?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Until 8 p.m. on Election Day, in-person voting is still available at every county registrar’s office (also known as your county’s elections office) in the Bay Area. If you’re a San Francisco voter, this location will be City Hall.\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> Find your county registrar’s office and opening hours.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check your mail-in ballot to see where you can vote and whether you’ve been assigned a specific polling place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11846400\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11846400\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/002_KQED_SanFrancisco_PollingPlaces_Columbarium_11032020.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/002_KQED_SanFrancisco_PollingPlaces_Columbarium_11032020.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/002_KQED_SanFrancisco_PollingPlaces_Columbarium_11032020-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/002_KQED_SanFrancisco_PollingPlaces_Columbarium_11032020-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/002_KQED_SanFrancisco_PollingPlaces_Columbarium_11032020-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/002_KQED_SanFrancisco_PollingPlaces_Columbarium_11032020-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The San Francisco Columbarium and Funeral Home polling place on Nov. 3, 2020 \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in San Francisco, Contra Costa or Solano counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You are assigned a specific polling place, though Contra Costa County election officials say they can process your ballot no matter where you show up to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even if you live in a county that assigns you a particular polling place, you can still vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> your county registrar’s office\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Sonoma counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can vote at any voting location — known as Vote Centers — including your county registrar’s office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> find your voting location through the state’s lookup tool\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Do I need to bring my ballot with me?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’d like to cast a ballot in person, it’s a good idea to bring the blank ballot you were mailed, as some counties may require you to vote provisionally if you don’t bring it. If you’re issued a new ballot when you vote in person, any ballot you left at home will be canceled.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Provisional votes are subject to extra checks — confirming that you’re actually registered to vote in California, or that you didn’t already complete and mail your ballot — and this extra layer of confirmation takes time. That means that although your vote will eventually be counted, it might not be tallied on Election Day itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I still need to register to vote. Can I do this on Election Day?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’ve changed your name or the political party choice that you previously registered to vote with, or you’ve moved addresses, you’ll need to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> reregister\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can’t do this online on Election Day, but you can still complete the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location. This system enables you to fill out and submit your ballot then and there, up until polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to voter registration, many voting locations also offer replacement ballots, accessible voting machines and language assistance.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How can I contact my county directly about voting?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "usps-changes-ballot-drop-box-near-me-deadline-california-primary-vote-for-governor",
"title": "Still Need to Mail Your Primary Ballot? Don’t Rely on USPS, Officials Say",
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"headTitle": "Still Need to Mail Your Primary Ballot? Don’t Rely on USPS, Officials Say | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/electionsnews\">Election Day\u003c/a> in the California primary is on Tuesday — just days away — and it’ll decide the two candidates who will advance in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/2026-governors-race\">governor’s race\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you were still planning on mailing your ballot through the United States Postal Service, California officials have warned that at this stage, for voters outside major cities, there’s a risk it might not be counted — and they’re urging you to cast your vote another way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Why is this happening? To be counted, a mail-in ballot needs to be postmarked by USPS before or on Election Day — June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And in previous years, as long as you didn’t drop your ballot in a USPS mailbox that already saw its last collection, or at a closed post office, your ballot would have received that Election Day postmark.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But now, California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned, \u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-and-secretary-state-weber-sacramento-vote-early-june\">USPS has changed\u003c/a> how often it collects mail from post offices and collection boxes “in areas outside California’s major coastal cities.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you live in one of these regions, “a ballot dropped in the U.S. mail on Election Day might be collected too late to be counted,” he added.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>A new voter deadline\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In a joint statement with Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Bonta said that California voters planning to mail their ballots “should do so at least a week before Election Day.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means Wednesday was actually the last day the state recommended putting your mail-in ballot into a USPS collection box — even if you live in a relatively metropolitan area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082778\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082778\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2274165052-scaled-e1778866234143.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Election voting materials, including an official voter information guide, a sample ballot and an official ballot with a return envelope, were mailed to a Southern California resident ahead of a state primary election, photographed May 5, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. \u003ccite>(Jay L Clendenin/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>These changes to how USPS collects its mail in certain areas are particularly impactful in a state like California, which saw \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/historical-absentee\">almost 90% of its votes\u003c/a> cast via mail-in ballots in the last statewide election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the good news: If you were planning to mail your ballot through USPS before or on Tuesday, you still have \u003cem>lots \u003c/em>of other options for making sure your ballot reaches your county swiftly, so it can be counted after all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what to know, or jump straight to.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Wheretosubmityourballotinsteadofmailingit\"> Where to submit your ballot instead of mailing it\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Howtomakesureyourballothasbeencounted\"> How to make sure your ballot has been counted\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>How has USPS changed mail collection — and how do I know if I’ll be affected?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In April 2025, \u003ca href=\"https://prc.gov/postal-service-implements-nationwide-changes-mail-service\">USPS implemented changes\u003c/a> that mean that if a post office or a collection box is more than 50 miles from a USPS regional hub, the mail dropped off there is now picked up the next day, rather than the same day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The only USPS regional hubs in Northern California are located in Richmond and West Sacramento.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if your local post office or collection box where you live is more than 50 miles away from these locations, any mail you drop off there won’t be picked up until the next day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12085425\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12085425\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Voting-Rights-Social-Map.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Voting-Rights-Social-Map.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Voting-Rights-Social-Map-160x200.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Voting-Rights-Social-Map-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Voting-Rights-Social-Map-1638x2048.jpg 1638w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A map illustrating the location of California’s six USPS regional hubs, and the regions 50 miles or more away that are now impacted by the postal service’s new collections system. \u003ccite>(Office of the Attorney General of California)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And if you’re dropping off your election ballot on Tuesday, it won’t be picked up until Wednesday and will therefore be considered invalid due to the lack of postmark by June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In their early mailing PSA, Bonta and Weber cited \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-04/california-election-experts-sound-alarm-as-rejected-ballots-quadruple\">an LA Times investigation \u003c/a>that found that under the new USPS system, mail-in ballots in California’s 2025 Proposition 50 election arrived too late to be counted at four times the 2024 rate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even if you live within 50 miles of a USPS regional hub, the state \u003cem>still \u003c/em>recommends that, at this stage, you use another method to submit your ballot rather than mailing it to a USPS collection box.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Something that might convince you: The same LA Times report found that even within the 17 counties mostly or entirely within that 50-mile radius, the average rate of late ballots still doubled in 2025 under the new USPS system.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Wheretosubmityourballotinsteadofmailingit\">\u003c/a>How should I now submit my ballot instead of mailing it via USPS?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Regardless of the method you choose below, you should strongly consider submitting your mail-in ballot before Tuesday. In their statement, Bonta and Weber cited a USPS spokesperson’s \u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-and-secretary-state-weber-sacramento-vote-early-june\">warning \u003c/a>that “you should never be mailing your ballot on election day.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead of using a USPS collection box in the days before June 2, you can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Use a secure drop box\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can submit your completed ballot into a secure drop box until polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. To find your closest drop box, visit the\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> state of California lookup tool\u003c/a>, where you can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Enter your county (adding your city or ZIP code will give more localized results, but it’s optional).\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Check “Drop Off Location.”\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Hit “Search” to see all the early voting and drop-off locations in that area.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Take your ballot to an open post office and ask staff to postmark it\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This approach — \u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-and-secretary-state-weber-sacramento-vote-early-june\">recommended \u003c/a>by Bonta and Weber specifically as a good option for Election Day itself — means you’ll have proof there and then that your ballot was postmarked by Election Day.[aside label=\"2026 California Voter Guide\" link1='https://www.kqed.org/voterguide,Learn everything you need to cast an informed ballot for the 2026 primary election' hero=https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/80/2026/04/Aside-California-Voter-Guide-2026-Primary-Election-1200x1200@2x.png]From there, you can drop it into a USPS collection box at the post office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Vote early in person — or drop off your ballot at an open voting location\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">The first vote centers\u003c/a> have already opened in certain counties, with more early voting locations opening on Saturday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To find your closest early voting location, visit the\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> state of California lookup tool\u003c/a>, where you can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Enter your county (adding your city or ZIP code will give more localized results, but it’s optional).\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Check “Early Voting.”\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Hit “Search” to see all the early voting and drop-off locations in that area.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Remember that in-person voting hours may differ by location, and some locations may not be open every day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you intend to vote in person, it’s a good idea to bring the blank ballot you were mailed, as some counties may require you to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082074/california-primary-2026-dropbox-near-me-san-francisco-bay-area-find-my-polling-place-election-day-voter-guide\">vote provisionally\u003c/a> if you don’t bring it. If you’re issued a new ballot when you vote in person, any ballot you left at home will be canceled.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Vote in person on Election Day itself\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Tuesday, in-person voting is still available at every county registrar’s office (also known as your county’s elections office) in the Bay Area. If you’re a San Francisco voter, this location will be City Hall.\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> Find your county registrar’s office and opening hours.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check your mail-in ballot to see where you can vote and whether you’ve been assigned a specific polling place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079133\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12079133\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/230808-SanFranciscoCityHall-18-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/230808-SanFranciscoCityHall-18-BL_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/230808-SanFranciscoCityHall-18-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/230808-SanFranciscoCityHall-18-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vehicles pass by City Hall in San Francisco on Aug. 8, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you live in San Francisco, Contra Costa or Solano counties, you’ll be assigned a specific polling place, though Contra Costa County election officials say they can process your ballot no matter where you show up to vote. You can also still vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> your county registrar’s office\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you live in Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Sonoma counties, you can vote at any voting location — known as Vote Centers — including your county registrar’s office. Find \u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\">your voting location through the state’s lookup tool\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Again, it’s a good idea to bring along the blank ballot that you were mailed.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howtomakesureyourballothasbeencounted\">\u003c/a>I submitted my ballot, but now I’m paranoid. How can I make sure it’ll be counted?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You can sign up to track your ballot’s progress with the state’s \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">“Where’s My Ballot?” online tool\u003c/a>, where you can receive updates — and be reassured that your vote is on its way to being counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How can I contact my county directly about voting?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call (510) 267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call (925) 335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call (415) 473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call (707) 253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call (415) 554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call (888) 762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at (866) 430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call (707) 784-6675 or (888) 933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call (707) 565-6800 or toll-free at (800) 750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "State officials are warning that some ballots mailed too close to Election Day might not be counted. Here are other recommended ways to submit your ballot instead.",
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"title": "Still Need to Mail Your Primary Ballot? Don’t Rely on USPS, Officials Say | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/electionsnews\">Election Day\u003c/a> in the California primary is on Tuesday — just days away — and it’ll decide the two candidates who will advance in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/2026-governors-race\">governor’s race\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you were still planning on mailing your ballot through the United States Postal Service, California officials have warned that at this stage, for voters outside major cities, there’s a risk it might not be counted — and they’re urging you to cast your vote another way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Why is this happening? To be counted, a mail-in ballot needs to be postmarked by USPS before or on Election Day — June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And in previous years, as long as you didn’t drop your ballot in a USPS mailbox that already saw its last collection, or at a closed post office, your ballot would have received that Election Day postmark.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But now, California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned, \u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-and-secretary-state-weber-sacramento-vote-early-june\">USPS has changed\u003c/a> how often it collects mail from post offices and collection boxes “in areas outside California’s major coastal cities.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you live in one of these regions, “a ballot dropped in the U.S. mail on Election Day might be collected too late to be counted,” he added.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>A new voter deadline\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In a joint statement with Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Bonta said that California voters planning to mail their ballots “should do so at least a week before Election Day.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means Wednesday was actually the last day the state recommended putting your mail-in ballot into a USPS collection box — even if you live in a relatively metropolitan area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082778\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082778\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2274165052-scaled-e1778866234143.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Election voting materials, including an official voter information guide, a sample ballot and an official ballot with a return envelope, were mailed to a Southern California resident ahead of a state primary election, photographed May 5, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. \u003ccite>(Jay L Clendenin/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>These changes to how USPS collects its mail in certain areas are particularly impactful in a state like California, which saw \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/historical-absentee\">almost 90% of its votes\u003c/a> cast via mail-in ballots in the last statewide election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the good news: If you were planning to mail your ballot through USPS before or on Tuesday, you still have \u003cem>lots \u003c/em>of other options for making sure your ballot reaches your county swiftly, so it can be counted after all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what to know, or jump straight to.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Wheretosubmityourballotinsteadofmailingit\"> Where to submit your ballot instead of mailing it\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Howtomakesureyourballothasbeencounted\"> How to make sure your ballot has been counted\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>How has USPS changed mail collection — and how do I know if I’ll be affected?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In April 2025, \u003ca href=\"https://prc.gov/postal-service-implements-nationwide-changes-mail-service\">USPS implemented changes\u003c/a> that mean that if a post office or a collection box is more than 50 miles from a USPS regional hub, the mail dropped off there is now picked up the next day, rather than the same day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The only USPS regional hubs in Northern California are located in Richmond and West Sacramento.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if your local post office or collection box where you live is more than 50 miles away from these locations, any mail you drop off there won’t be picked up until the next day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12085425\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12085425\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Voting-Rights-Social-Map.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Voting-Rights-Social-Map.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Voting-Rights-Social-Map-160x200.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Voting-Rights-Social-Map-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/Voting-Rights-Social-Map-1638x2048.jpg 1638w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A map illustrating the location of California’s six USPS regional hubs, and the regions 50 miles or more away that are now impacted by the postal service’s new collections system. \u003ccite>(Office of the Attorney General of California)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And if you’re dropping off your election ballot on Tuesday, it won’t be picked up until Wednesday and will therefore be considered invalid due to the lack of postmark by June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In their early mailing PSA, Bonta and Weber cited \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-04/california-election-experts-sound-alarm-as-rejected-ballots-quadruple\">an LA Times investigation \u003c/a>that found that under the new USPS system, mail-in ballots in California’s 2025 Proposition 50 election arrived too late to be counted at four times the 2024 rate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even if you live within 50 miles of a USPS regional hub, the state \u003cem>still \u003c/em>recommends that, at this stage, you use another method to submit your ballot rather than mailing it to a USPS collection box.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Something that might convince you: The same LA Times report found that even within the 17 counties mostly or entirely within that 50-mile radius, the average rate of late ballots still doubled in 2025 under the new USPS system.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Wheretosubmityourballotinsteadofmailingit\">\u003c/a>How should I now submit my ballot instead of mailing it via USPS?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Regardless of the method you choose below, you should strongly consider submitting your mail-in ballot before Tuesday. In their statement, Bonta and Weber cited a USPS spokesperson’s \u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-and-secretary-state-weber-sacramento-vote-early-june\">warning \u003c/a>that “you should never be mailing your ballot on election day.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead of using a USPS collection box in the days before June 2, you can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Use a secure drop box\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can submit your completed ballot into a secure drop box until polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. To find your closest drop box, visit the\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> state of California lookup tool\u003c/a>, where you can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Enter your county (adding your city or ZIP code will give more localized results, but it’s optional).\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Check “Drop Off Location.”\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Hit “Search” to see all the early voting and drop-off locations in that area.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Take your ballot to an open post office and ask staff to postmark it\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This approach — \u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-and-secretary-state-weber-sacramento-vote-early-june\">recommended \u003c/a>by Bonta and Weber specifically as a good option for Election Day itself — means you’ll have proof there and then that your ballot was postmarked by Election Day.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>From there, you can drop it into a USPS collection box at the post office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Vote early in person — or drop off your ballot at an open voting location\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">The first vote centers\u003c/a> have already opened in certain counties, with more early voting locations opening on Saturday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To find your closest early voting location, visit the\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> state of California lookup tool\u003c/a>, where you can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Enter your county (adding your city or ZIP code will give more localized results, but it’s optional).\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Check “Early Voting.”\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Hit “Search” to see all the early voting and drop-off locations in that area.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Remember that in-person voting hours may differ by location, and some locations may not be open every day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you intend to vote in person, it’s a good idea to bring the blank ballot you were mailed, as some counties may require you to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082074/california-primary-2026-dropbox-near-me-san-francisco-bay-area-find-my-polling-place-election-day-voter-guide\">vote provisionally\u003c/a> if you don’t bring it. If you’re issued a new ballot when you vote in person, any ballot you left at home will be canceled.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Vote in person on Election Day itself\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Tuesday, in-person voting is still available at every county registrar’s office (also known as your county’s elections office) in the Bay Area. If you’re a San Francisco voter, this location will be City Hall.\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> Find your county registrar’s office and opening hours.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check your mail-in ballot to see where you can vote and whether you’ve been assigned a specific polling place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12079133\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12079133\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/230808-SanFranciscoCityHall-18-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/230808-SanFranciscoCityHall-18-BL_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/230808-SanFranciscoCityHall-18-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/230808-SanFranciscoCityHall-18-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vehicles pass by City Hall in San Francisco on Aug. 8, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you live in San Francisco, Contra Costa or Solano counties, you’ll be assigned a specific polling place, though Contra Costa County election officials say they can process your ballot no matter where you show up to vote. You can also still vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> your county registrar’s office\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you live in Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Sonoma counties, you can vote at any voting location — known as Vote Centers — including your county registrar’s office. Find \u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\">your voting location through the state’s lookup tool\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Again, it’s a good idea to bring along the blank ballot that you were mailed.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howtomakesureyourballothasbeencounted\">\u003c/a>I submitted my ballot, but now I’m paranoid. How can I make sure it’ll be counted?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You can sign up to track your ballot’s progress with the state’s \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">“Where’s My Ballot?” online tool\u003c/a>, where you can receive updates — and be reassured that your vote is on its way to being counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How can I contact my county directly about voting?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call (510) 267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call (925) 335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call (415) 473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call (707) 253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call (415) 554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call (888) 762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at (866) 430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call (707) 784-6675 or (888) 933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call (707) 565-6800 or toll-free at (800) 750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "My Ballot Never Showed Up. How Can I Still Vote in the 2026 California Primary?",
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"content": "\u003cp>Election Day — your last day to\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california\"> vote\u003c/a> — is less than two weeks away, on Tuesday, June 2. And every registered California voter will receive a mail-in ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But what if your ballot still hasn’t shown up yet?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The deadline for Bay Area counties to start mailing out their ballots was May 4, so if you’re registered to vote, your ballot should have shown up by now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But don’t worry: You have time — and several options — to fix things and make sure you get to cast your vote by the time polls close at 8 p.m. on June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Looking for information about what’s on your ballot instead?\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\"> Take a look at KQED’s Voter Guide\u003c/a>, including information about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/governor\">California’s governor race. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’ve made a mistake on your ballot, we also have a guide to\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\"> how to address different kinds of ballot — and signature — goofs.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#Whatsthequickestwaytogetareplacementballot\">What’s the quickest way to get a replacement ballot?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>First, check if your voter registration is correct — and if your ballot was actually sent out\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">Input your details on the Secretary of State’s voter status page\u003c/a> to check your registration status.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This site will show whether you’re correctly registered to vote and to which address. It should also show whether your ballot was mailed out.\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\"> Read our guide to making sure you’re correctly registered to vote.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also use \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">the Where’s My Ballot? Tool\u003c/a> to check whether your ballot has been sent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Finding out if your voter registration is correct will help you determine next steps in getting your ballot:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If your ballot was sent to the wrong address\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If it turns out your ballot was missing because your voter registration wasn’t updated, don’t feel bad — people move all the time and forget to update their registrations accordingly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The deadline to update your voter registration online using\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> was May 18. But if you missed that date, you can still\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\"> reregister with your new address in person through Same Day Registration (also called “conditional registration”). \u003c/a>You can do this in person right up until when polls close on 8 p.m. on Election Day, June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12084656\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12084656\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco official mail-in ballot for the Nov. 3, 2020, election. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You can reregister to vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\"> your county elections office during business hours\u003c/a>, which is now open for early voting. You can also ask for Same Day Registration at an open voting location near you. \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">The first vote centers open \u003c/a>May 23 in certain counties, with more early voting locations opening May 30.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you do this, your county will cancel the ballot that went to your old address and give you a new one to vote with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082074/california-primary-2026-dropbox-near-me-san-francisco-bay-area-find-my-polling-place-election-day-voter-guide\">Read more about registering (or reregistering) to vote in person.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"Whatsthequickestwaytogetareplacementballot\">\u003c/a>If your voter registration address was correct, but your ballot never showed up\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If it’s more than six days before Election Day, you can just\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> call your county elections office \u003c/a>and ask them to send a new ballot. Scroll to the bottom of this story to find your Bay Area county elections office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your county elections office won’t mail you a ballot six days or less before Election Day because it can’t be sure the ballot will reach you in time. So, if you’re trying to get a ballot in the immediate run-up to Election Day, go to your county elections office in person and request one at the counter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11978435\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1990px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11978435 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/GETTYIMAGES-2053492564-KQED-e1729796821581.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1990\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/GETTYIMAGES-2053492564-KQED-e1729796821581.jpg 1990w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/GETTYIMAGES-2053492564-KQED-e1729796821581-800x536.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/GETTYIMAGES-2053492564-KQED-e1729796821581-1020x683.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/GETTYIMAGES-2053492564-KQED-e1729796821581-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/GETTYIMAGES-2053492564-KQED-e1729796821581-1536x1029.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/GETTYIMAGES-2053492564-KQED-e1729796821581-1920x1286.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1990px) 100vw, 1990px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">‘I Voted’ stickers at the ready atop a table at the Allen Temple Voting Center on March 5, 2024, in Oakland. \u003ccite>(Philip Pacheco/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Your county elections office is also already open for early voting through Election Day, so you could also go there and vote in person at the same time.\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> More early voting locations will be opening throughout May.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember, if you’re \u003cem>not\u003c/em> actually registered to vote or need to reregister to update details like your address or your legal name, you always have the option of\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg\"> Same Day Registration\u003c/a> at an open voting location, where you can then fill out and submit your ballot, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If your ballot showed up, but it has your former name on it\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’ve legally changed your name since you last voted in California, you’ll need to reregister to vote with your current (new) name.[aside postID=news_12082074 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/007_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg']The deadline to update your voter registration online using\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> the Secretary of State’s voter status page\u003c/a> was May 18, and if you missed that date, you’ll need to\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12083100/am-i-registered-to-vote-california-primary-2026-voting-for-governor-check-voter-registration\"> reregister with your new address in person through Same Day Registration (also called “conditional registration”).\u003c/a> You can do this in person right up until polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can reregister to vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\"> your county elections office during business hours\u003c/a>, which is now open for early voting. You can also ask for Same Day Registration at an open voting location near you when many early voting locations open around the Bay Area on May 23.\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082074/california-primary-2026-dropbox-near-me-san-francisco-bay-area-find-my-polling-place-election-day-voter-guide\"> Read more about how to find your closest voting location.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you do this, your county will cancel the ballot that went to your old address and give you a new one to vote with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082074/california-primary-2026-dropbox-near-me-san-francisco-bay-area-find-my-polling-place-election-day-voter-guide\">Read more about registering (or reregistering) to vote in person.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>How to contact your county directly about voting\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org/\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "If your election ballot never showed up, here’s how registered voters can get a new one ahead of Election Day on June 2.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Election Day — your last day to\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california\"> vote\u003c/a> — is less than two weeks away, on Tuesday, June 2. And every registered California voter will receive a mail-in ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But what if your ballot still hasn’t shown up yet?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The deadline for Bay Area counties to start mailing out their ballots was May 4, so if you’re registered to vote, your ballot should have shown up by now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But don’t worry: You have time — and several options — to fix things and make sure you get to cast your vote by the time polls close at 8 p.m. on June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Looking for information about what’s on your ballot instead?\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\"> Take a look at KQED’s Voter Guide\u003c/a>, including information about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/governor\">California’s governor race. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’ve made a mistake on your ballot, we also have a guide to\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\"> how to address different kinds of ballot — and signature — goofs.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#Whatsthequickestwaytogetareplacementballot\">What’s the quickest way to get a replacement ballot?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>First, check if your voter registration is correct — and if your ballot was actually sent out\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">Input your details on the Secretary of State’s voter status page\u003c/a> to check your registration status.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This site will show whether you’re correctly registered to vote and to which address. It should also show whether your ballot was mailed out.\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\"> Read our guide to making sure you’re correctly registered to vote.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also use \u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\">the Where’s My Ballot? Tool\u003c/a> to check whether your ballot has been sent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Finding out if your voter registration is correct will help you determine next steps in getting your ballot:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If your ballot was sent to the wrong address\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If it turns out your ballot was missing because your voter registration wasn’t updated, don’t feel bad — people move all the time and forget to update their registrations accordingly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The deadline to update your voter registration online using\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> was May 18. But if you missed that date, you can still\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\"> reregister with your new address in person through Same Day Registration (also called “conditional registration”). \u003c/a>You can do this in person right up until when polls close on 8 p.m. on Election Day, June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12084656\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12084656\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco official mail-in ballot for the Nov. 3, 2020, election. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You can reregister to vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\"> your county elections office during business hours\u003c/a>, which is now open for early voting. You can also ask for Same Day Registration at an open voting location near you. \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">The first vote centers open \u003c/a>May 23 in certain counties, with more early voting locations opening May 30.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you do this, your county will cancel the ballot that went to your old address and give you a new one to vote with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082074/california-primary-2026-dropbox-near-me-san-francisco-bay-area-find-my-polling-place-election-day-voter-guide\">Read more about registering (or reregistering) to vote in person.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"Whatsthequickestwaytogetareplacementballot\">\u003c/a>If your voter registration address was correct, but your ballot never showed up\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If it’s more than six days before Election Day, you can just\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> call your county elections office \u003c/a>and ask them to send a new ballot. Scroll to the bottom of this story to find your Bay Area county elections office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your county elections office won’t mail you a ballot six days or less before Election Day because it can’t be sure the ballot will reach you in time. So, if you’re trying to get a ballot in the immediate run-up to Election Day, go to your county elections office in person and request one at the counter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11978435\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1990px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11978435 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/GETTYIMAGES-2053492564-KQED-e1729796821581.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1990\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/GETTYIMAGES-2053492564-KQED-e1729796821581.jpg 1990w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/GETTYIMAGES-2053492564-KQED-e1729796821581-800x536.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/GETTYIMAGES-2053492564-KQED-e1729796821581-1020x683.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/GETTYIMAGES-2053492564-KQED-e1729796821581-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/GETTYIMAGES-2053492564-KQED-e1729796821581-1536x1029.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/GETTYIMAGES-2053492564-KQED-e1729796821581-1920x1286.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1990px) 100vw, 1990px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">‘I Voted’ stickers at the ready atop a table at the Allen Temple Voting Center on March 5, 2024, in Oakland. \u003ccite>(Philip Pacheco/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Your county elections office is also already open for early voting through Election Day, so you could also go there and vote in person at the same time.\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> More early voting locations will be opening throughout May.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember, if you’re \u003cem>not\u003c/em> actually registered to vote or need to reregister to update details like your address or your legal name, you always have the option of\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg\"> Same Day Registration\u003c/a> at an open voting location, where you can then fill out and submit your ballot, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If your ballot showed up, but it has your former name on it\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’ve legally changed your name since you last voted in California, you’ll need to reregister to vote with your current (new) name.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>The deadline to update your voter registration online using\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> the Secretary of State’s voter status page\u003c/a> was May 18, and if you missed that date, you’ll need to\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12083100/am-i-registered-to-vote-california-primary-2026-voting-for-governor-check-voter-registration\"> reregister with your new address in person through Same Day Registration (also called “conditional registration”).\u003c/a> You can do this in person right up until polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can reregister to vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12058837/election-2025-am-i-registered-to-vote-check-voter-registration-prop-50\"> your county elections office during business hours\u003c/a>, which is now open for early voting. You can also ask for Same Day Registration at an open voting location near you when many early voting locations open around the Bay Area on May 23.\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082074/california-primary-2026-dropbox-near-me-san-francisco-bay-area-find-my-polling-place-election-day-voter-guide\"> Read more about how to find your closest voting location.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you do this, your county will cancel the ballot that went to your old address and give you a new one to vote with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082074/california-primary-2026-dropbox-near-me-san-francisco-bay-area-find-my-polling-place-election-day-voter-guide\">Read more about registering (or reregistering) to vote in person.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>How to contact your county directly about voting\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org/\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "am-i-registered-to-vote-california-primary-2026-voting-for-governor-check-voter-registration",
"title": "Primary 2026: Monday Is Your Last Day to Register Online to Vote. What if You Miss It?",
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"headTitle": "Primary 2026: Monday Is Your Last Day to Register Online to Vote. What if You Miss It? | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>Monday — May 18 — is the last day to register online to\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082074/california-primary-2026-dropbox-near-me-san-francisco-bay-area-find-my-polling-place-election-day-voter-guide\"> vote in the June 2 state primary election\u003c/a>. It’s also your last chance to \u003cem>re\u003c/em>-register online if you need to update your voter registration details.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you miss this deadline, don’t worry. You have several options for registering or re-registering in person all the way through June 2, your last day to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here’s what to know about checking your voter registration, from the May 18 deadline to how to make sure election officials have your correct mailing address. You can also jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Iwanttoregistertovoteforthefirsttime\">I want to register to vote for the first time\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatshouldIdoifIvemovedtoanewaddressorchangedmyname\">What should I do if I’ve moved to a new address or changed my name?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatifIhaventreceivedmyballotyet\">What if I haven’t received my ballot yet?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>I’m almost certain I’m registered to vote … but how can I check?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You can check your voter registration status at\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> voterstatus.sos.ca.gov\u003c/a>, which will show whether you’re registered to vote and the address associated with your registration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your voter registration is active and your address and name are up to date, your ballot should have arrived by now. You can use\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> voterstatus.sos.ca.gov\u003c/a> to check when your ballot was mailed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also use\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> the Where’s My Ballot?\u003c/a> tool to check whether your ballot was sent out, and read\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060171/ballot-missing-election-2025-hasnt-arrived-yet-replacement\"> our guide on what to do if your ballot never showed up.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are some reasons I might need to update my voter registration?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Updating your voter registration is also known as “re-registering” to vote — because to update elements of your voter record at\u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\"> registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a>, you’ll need to register to vote \u003cem>again\u003c/em> as if you were making a new application.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a general rule, you’ll definitely need to re-register if your name or address has changed. But if registering to vote when you know you’re already registered feels weird, don’t worry: this won’t be seen as you trying to fraudulently register to vote twice or anything like that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082778\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12082778 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2274165052-scaled-e1778866234143.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The June 2 state primary election is approaching quickly. Stay informed with KQED’s voter guide. \u003ccite>(Jay L Clendenin/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Because your voter registration is tied to your social security number and your driver’s license/state ID card number, your new voter registration will be matched with your \u003cem>existing\u003c/em> voter registration and your details will be updated. There will also be a section on the form where you can provide any previous addresses and names you’ve been registered to vote under.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you want to change your party preference, you’ll also need to re-register to do that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For smaller changes, your county may allow you to submit a Voter Action Form by mail or online. For example, if San Francisco residents want to make minor changes to their voter registration, they can use\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfelections.org/tools/regupdate/regupd.php\"> a form from the San Francisco Department of Elections\u003c/a> to determine whether they can do so online. \u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#FindyourBayAreacountyelectionsofficeswebsiteandcontactdetails\">Find your Bay Area county elections office’s website and contact details.\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You should update your voter registration if:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"WhatshouldIdoifIvemovedtoanewaddressorchangedmyname\">\u003c/a>If you have moved to a new address within California\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your old address is on your voter registration, then your mail-in ballot will automatically be sent to that address — not your new one. Your voter registration will only reflect your new address if you’ve manually updated it or\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions\"> if you’ve updated your address with the DMV.\u003c/a>[aside postID=news_12082074 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/007_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg']Register to vote with your new address at\u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\"> registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state says that you can also send a signed letter to your current county elections official to let them know you’ve moved, along with your date of birth and current address. Find your Bay Area county elections office’s website and contact details.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you have legally changed your name\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You’ll need to re-register to vote with your new name. One important thing: Before you do that, the Secretary of State recommends that you\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions\"> update your California driver’s license or identification card with the DMV \u003cem>first.\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is because when you register to vote online, your county elections office electronically requests a copy of the signature the DMV currently has for you. And if you haven’t updated your signature with the DMV, the signature the agency sends to your county elections office will be the signature for your previous name, not your new one, and your registration will be rejected.\u003ca href=\"https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/updating-information-on-your-driver-license-or-identification-dl-id-card/\"> Read how to update your signature with the DMV.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What if you aren’t able to update your details with the DMV first? The state recommends you select “decline” on the application when asked to use your DMV signature to register to vote — but you’ll have to hit “print” and sign the paper application, which you’ll mail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Register to vote with your new name at\u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\"> registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you haven’t voted in a while\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In general,” the Secretary of State’s office says, you’ll stay registered to vote for as long as you remain at the same address you’re registered with — but “\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions\">there are cases in which voter registration can be canceled\u003c/a> if a voter has not voted in several consecutive general elections.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if your ballot hasn’t arrived in May, and you suspect it might be because you haven’t voted in many years, contact your county’s elections office ASAP. Jump straight to our list of Bay Area county elections offices.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>When is my last chance to update my voter registration?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you forget to re-register with your new address or name, and your ballot is sent out in May to the wrong address or without your current name, don’t worry.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As long as you update your voter registration online at\u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\"> registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a> before the May 18 deadline, your county will just cancel the ballot that went to your old address and send you a new one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062372\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12062372\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251030-BAYAREAVOTERS-33-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251030-BAYAREAVOTERS-33-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251030-BAYAREAVOTERS-33-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251030-BAYAREAVOTERS-33-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A voter drops off a ballot at the City Hall Voting Center in San Francisco on Oct. 30, 2025, ahead of the statewide special election. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And if things get hectic this month and you miss the May 18 deadline, you can still update your voter registration — you’ll just have to do it in person at that stage. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082074/california-primary-2026-dropbox-near-me-san-francisco-bay-area-find-my-polling-place-election-day-voter-guide\">Vote centers will open in most Bay Area counties on May 23. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Go to your county elections office or an open voting location and ask to register in person via Same Day Registration (also called conditional registration). You can do this up until when polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Iwanttoregistertovoteforthefirsttime\">\u003c/a>How can I register to vote for the \u003cem>first\u003c/em> time?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You can register to vote if you’re:[aside label=\"2026 California Voter Guide\" link1='https://www.kqed.org/voterguide,Learn everything you need to cast an informed ballot for the 2026 primary election' hero=https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/80/2026/04/Aside-California-Voter-Guide-2026-Primary-Election-1200x1200@2x.png]\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>A United States citizen and a resident of California,\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>18 years old or older on Election Day\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>People who are currently serving a state or federal prison term for a felony conviction cannot vote or register to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can register to vote online at\u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\"> registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a> before the May 18 deadline. After that, you can register to vote in person at your county elections office or an open voting location, where you can register through Same Day Registration (also called conditional registration). You can do this up until when polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re unhoused or have no fixed address, you can still register to vote by describing the place where you spend most of your time, if you don’t have a street address, including cross streets. You can \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">register to vote this way via online application\u003c/a> before May 18, or on the paper voter registration application you can pick up at any Department of Motor Vehicles field office, or many post offices, public libraries, government offices or\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> your county elections office\u003c/a> by request (where you can also use Same Day Registration in person).\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WhatifIhaventreceivedmyballotyet\">\u003c/a>When will my ballot arrive?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Every registered voter in California will automatically receive a ballot in the mail, and by this point, you should have received yours if you were correctly registered to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>May 4 was the deadline for Bay Area counties to \u003cem>start\u003c/em> mailing ballots, though many started several days earlier. This means your ballot will most likely have arrived in early to mid-May.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082112\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082112\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Porfirio Diaz fills out his mail-in ballot for California’s gubernatorial recall election at his home in Oakland on Sept. 9, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You can use both\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> voterstatus.sos.ca.gov\u003c/a> and the state’s\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> Where’s My Ballot?\u003c/a> A tool to check whether your ballot has been sent out. And if your ballot is still missing, don’t worry: You have options.\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060171/ballot-missing-election-2025-hasnt-arrived-yet-replacement\"> Read our 2025 guide for what to do if your ballot doesn’t show up.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can use the ballot to cast your vote, or you can forget it and request a fresh one at a voting location. The one that arrived in the mail will be canceled.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"FindyourBayAreacountyelectionsofficeswebsiteandcontactdetails\">\u003c/a>How can I contact my county directly about voting?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org/\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Monday — May 18 — is the last day to register online to\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082074/california-primary-2026-dropbox-near-me-san-francisco-bay-area-find-my-polling-place-election-day-voter-guide\"> vote in the June 2 state primary election\u003c/a>. It’s also your last chance to \u003cem>re\u003c/em>-register online if you need to update your voter registration details.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you miss this deadline, don’t worry. You have several options for registering or re-registering in person all the way through June 2, your last day to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here’s what to know about checking your voter registration, from the May 18 deadline to how to make sure election officials have your correct mailing address. You can also jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Iwanttoregistertovoteforthefirsttime\">I want to register to vote for the first time\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatshouldIdoifIvemovedtoanewaddressorchangedmyname\">What should I do if I’ve moved to a new address or changed my name?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatifIhaventreceivedmyballotyet\">What if I haven’t received my ballot yet?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>I’m almost certain I’m registered to vote … but how can I check?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You can check your voter registration status at\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> voterstatus.sos.ca.gov\u003c/a>, which will show whether you’re registered to vote and the address associated with your registration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your voter registration is active and your address and name are up to date, your ballot should have arrived by now. You can use\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> voterstatus.sos.ca.gov\u003c/a> to check when your ballot was mailed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also use\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> the Where’s My Ballot?\u003c/a> tool to check whether your ballot was sent out, and read\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060171/ballot-missing-election-2025-hasnt-arrived-yet-replacement\"> our guide on what to do if your ballot never showed up.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are some reasons I might need to update my voter registration?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Updating your voter registration is also known as “re-registering” to vote — because to update elements of your voter record at\u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\"> registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a>, you’ll need to register to vote \u003cem>again\u003c/em> as if you were making a new application.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a general rule, you’ll definitely need to re-register if your name or address has changed. But if registering to vote when you know you’re already registered feels weird, don’t worry: this won’t be seen as you trying to fraudulently register to vote twice or anything like that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082778\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12082778 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2274165052-scaled-e1778866234143.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The June 2 state primary election is approaching quickly. Stay informed with KQED’s voter guide. \u003ccite>(Jay L Clendenin/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Because your voter registration is tied to your social security number and your driver’s license/state ID card number, your new voter registration will be matched with your \u003cem>existing\u003c/em> voter registration and your details will be updated. There will also be a section on the form where you can provide any previous addresses and names you’ve been registered to vote under.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you want to change your party preference, you’ll also need to re-register to do that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For smaller changes, your county may allow you to submit a Voter Action Form by mail or online. For example, if San Francisco residents want to make minor changes to their voter registration, they can use\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfelections.org/tools/regupdate/regupd.php\"> a form from the San Francisco Department of Elections\u003c/a> to determine whether they can do so online. \u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#FindyourBayAreacountyelectionsofficeswebsiteandcontactdetails\">Find your Bay Area county elections office’s website and contact details.\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You should update your voter registration if:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"WhatshouldIdoifIvemovedtoanewaddressorchangedmyname\">\u003c/a>If you have moved to a new address within California\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your old address is on your voter registration, then your mail-in ballot will automatically be sent to that address — not your new one. Your voter registration will only reflect your new address if you’ve manually updated it or\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions\"> if you’ve updated your address with the DMV.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Register to vote with your new address at\u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\"> registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state says that you can also send a signed letter to your current county elections official to let them know you’ve moved, along with your date of birth and current address. Find your Bay Area county elections office’s website and contact details.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you have legally changed your name\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You’ll need to re-register to vote with your new name. One important thing: Before you do that, the Secretary of State recommends that you\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions\"> update your California driver’s license or identification card with the DMV \u003cem>first.\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is because when you register to vote online, your county elections office electronically requests a copy of the signature the DMV currently has for you. And if you haven’t updated your signature with the DMV, the signature the agency sends to your county elections office will be the signature for your previous name, not your new one, and your registration will be rejected.\u003ca href=\"https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/updating-information-on-your-driver-license-or-identification-dl-id-card/\"> Read how to update your signature with the DMV.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What if you aren’t able to update your details with the DMV first? The state recommends you select “decline” on the application when asked to use your DMV signature to register to vote — but you’ll have to hit “print” and sign the paper application, which you’ll mail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Register to vote with your new name at\u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\"> registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you haven’t voted in a while\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In general,” the Secretary of State’s office says, you’ll stay registered to vote for as long as you remain at the same address you’re registered with — but “\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/frequently-asked-questions\">there are cases in which voter registration can be canceled\u003c/a> if a voter has not voted in several consecutive general elections.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if your ballot hasn’t arrived in May, and you suspect it might be because you haven’t voted in many years, contact your county’s elections office ASAP. Jump straight to our list of Bay Area county elections offices.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>When is my last chance to update my voter registration?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you forget to re-register with your new address or name, and your ballot is sent out in May to the wrong address or without your current name, don’t worry.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As long as you update your voter registration online at\u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\"> registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a> before the May 18 deadline, your county will just cancel the ballot that went to your old address and send you a new one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12062372\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12062372\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251030-BAYAREAVOTERS-33-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251030-BAYAREAVOTERS-33-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251030-BAYAREAVOTERS-33-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251030-BAYAREAVOTERS-33-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A voter drops off a ballot at the City Hall Voting Center in San Francisco on Oct. 30, 2025, ahead of the statewide special election. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And if things get hectic this month and you miss the May 18 deadline, you can still update your voter registration — you’ll just have to do it in person at that stage. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082074/california-primary-2026-dropbox-near-me-san-francisco-bay-area-find-my-polling-place-election-day-voter-guide\">Vote centers will open in most Bay Area counties on May 23. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Go to your county elections office or an open voting location and ask to register in person via Same Day Registration (also called conditional registration). You can do this up until when polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Iwanttoregistertovoteforthefirsttime\">\u003c/a>How can I register to vote for the \u003cem>first\u003c/em> time?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You can register to vote if you’re:\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>A United States citizen and a resident of California,\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>18 years old or older on Election Day\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>People who are currently serving a state or federal prison term for a felony conviction cannot vote or register to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can register to vote online at\u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\"> registertovote.ca.gov\u003c/a> before the May 18 deadline. After that, you can register to vote in person at your county elections office or an open voting location, where you can register through Same Day Registration (also called conditional registration). You can do this up until when polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re unhoused or have no fixed address, you can still register to vote by describing the place where you spend most of your time, if you don’t have a street address, including cross streets. You can \u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\">register to vote this way via online application\u003c/a> before May 18, or on the paper voter registration application you can pick up at any Department of Motor Vehicles field office, or many post offices, public libraries, government offices or\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> your county elections office\u003c/a> by request (where you can also use Same Day Registration in person).\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WhatifIhaventreceivedmyballotyet\">\u003c/a>When will my ballot arrive?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Every registered voter in California will automatically receive a ballot in the mail, and by this point, you should have received yours if you were correctly registered to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>May 4 was the deadline for Bay Area counties to \u003cem>start\u003c/em> mailing ballots, though many started several days earlier. This means your ballot will most likely have arrived in early to mid-May.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082112\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082112\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Porfirio Diaz fills out his mail-in ballot for California’s gubernatorial recall election at his home in Oakland on Sept. 9, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You can use both\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> voterstatus.sos.ca.gov\u003c/a> and the state’s\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> Where’s My Ballot?\u003c/a> A tool to check whether your ballot has been sent out. And if your ballot is still missing, don’t worry: You have options.\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060171/ballot-missing-election-2025-hasnt-arrived-yet-replacement\"> Read our 2025 guide for what to do if your ballot doesn’t show up.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can use the ballot to cast your vote, or you can forget it and request a fresh one at a voting location. The one that arrived in the mail will be canceled.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"FindyourBayAreacountyelectionsofficeswebsiteandcontactdetails\">\u003c/a>How can I contact my county directly about voting?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org/\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "california-primary-2026-dropbox-near-me-san-francisco-bay-area-find-my-polling-place-election-day-voter-guide",
"title": "Primary 2026: Where Can I Drop Off My Ballot — or Vote Early?",
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"headTitle": "Primary 2026: Where Can I Drop Off My Ballot — or Vote Early? | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>California voters: the state primary elections are here. And if you’re registered to vote, your ballot will be on its way in the next few days — ahead of Election Day itself on June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wondering where to drop off your completed mail-in ballot in the Bay Area? Or where can you vote in person, and find a polling place near you? What about if you prefer to vote on Election Day itself?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for everything you need to know about submitting your vote in the California primary elections. And if you’re looking for detailed information about what you’ll be voting on, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\">take a look at KQED’s Voter Guide.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Howtofindyourclosestvotinglocationorballotdropoff\">How to find your closest voting location or ballot drop-off\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#HowtofindyourpollingplaceonElectionDay\">How to find your polling place on Election Day\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Howtocontactyourcountydirectlyaboutvoting\">How to contact your county directly about voting\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you’re concerned you might have made a mistake when filling out your ballot, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\">read our guide to addressing common errors on your ballot\u003c/a> (\u003cem>before\u003c/em> you mail it) — and find out \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\">how to get a fresh ballot or vote in person\u003c/a> if you really messed up.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I mail my ballot through the Postal Service?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, you can mail your completed ballot via the U.S. Postal Service at any regular collection box. The envelope is postage paid, so it doesn’t require a stamp, and it’ll be counted as long as it’s\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections\"> postmarked by Election Day and arrives at your county registrar’s office by June 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082112\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082112\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Porfirio Diaz fills out his mail-in ballot for California’s gubernatorial recall election at his home in Oakland on Sept. 9, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning to mail your ballot on Election Day itself, be \u003cem>very\u003c/em> sure you don’t miss the last collection time for that specific mailbox (which at many locations is 5 p.m. or earlier).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You also shouldn’t drop off your ballot on Election Day at a post office that’s already closed. Doing either of these things will mean your ballot will not be postmarked on Election Day and won’t be counted when it reaches your county’s election office.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I drop off my ballot in a drop box or at a voting location?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Once you complete your mail-in ballot, you can drop it off at an official drop box or voting location instead of mailing it via a U.S. Postal Service collection box. These drop boxes will \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">open by May 5.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A few reasons you might prefer to hand-deliver your completed ballot:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Peace of mind:\u003c/strong> There’s a satisfaction that comes with knowing your ballot should now travel straight to your county elections office rather than going through USPS collection and sorting for delivery\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Timing:\u003c/strong> If it’s Election Day itself, using a drop box or a voting location to drop off your ballot is the best way to be sure it’ll reach your county elections office in time to be counted\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Assistance:\u003c/strong> If you drop off your ballot at a voting location during operating hours and you have a few lingering questions about your ballot or the process, chances are good that you’ll find someone there to help answer them\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Regardless of how you deliver it, you can\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> sign up to track your ballot’s progress with the “Where’s My Ballot?” online tool\u003c/a> and be reassured it’s on its way to being counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowtofindyourpollingplaceonElectionDay\">\u003c/a>Where can I vote in person on Election Day?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>On Election Day, in-person voting is still available at every county registrar’s office (also known as your county’s elections office) in the Bay Area. If you’re a San Francisco voter, this location will be City Hall.\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> Find your county registrar’s office and opening hours.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check your mail-in ballot to see where you can vote and whether you’ve been assigned a specific polling place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082113\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082113\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco resident hands their mail-in ballot to USPS employee Elmer Padilla on Oct. 9, 2020. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in San Francisco, Contra Costa or Solano counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You are assigned a specific polling place, though Contra Costa County election officials say they can process your ballot no matter where you show up to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even if you live in a county that assigns you a particular polling place, you can still vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> your county registrar’s office\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Sonoma counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can vote at any voting location — known as Vote Centers — including your county registrar’s office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> find your voting location through the state’s lookup tool\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082088\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082088\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco official mail-in ballot for the Nov. 3, 2020, election. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Do I need to bring my ballot with me?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’d like to cast a ballot in person, it’s a good idea to bring the blank ballot you were mailed, as some counties may require you to vote provisionally if you don’t bring it. If you’re issued a new ballot when you vote in person, any ballot you left at home will be canceled.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Provisional votes are subject to extra checks — confirming that you’re actually registered to vote in California, or that you didn’t already complete and mail your ballot — and this extra layer of confirmation takes time. That means that although your vote will eventually be counted, it might not be tallied on Election Day itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I still need to register to vote. What should I do? Can I do this on Election Day?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The official deadline to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> register online to vote \u003c/a>is Monday, May 18.[aside postID=news_12081345 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/GettyImages-2272001355-2000x1334.jpg']Remember, if you’ve changed your name or the political party choice you previously registered to vote with, or you’ve moved address, you’ll need to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> reregister\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you miss the deadline to register, don’t panic: After May 18, you can still complete the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This system enables you to fill out and submit your ballot then and there, up until when polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to voter registration, many voting locations also offer replacement ballots, accessible voting machines and language assistance.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howtofindyourclosestvotinglocationorballotdropoff\">\u003c/a>How can I find my voting location or ballot drop-off?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Secure drop boxes \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">open by May 5, and the first vote centers open \u003c/a>May 23 in certain counties, with more early voting locations opening May 30.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082116\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082116\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Porfirio Diaz drops off his ballot for California’s gubernatorial recall election at a ballot dropbox in Fruitvale on Sept. 9, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Visit the\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> state of California lookup tool\u003c/a>, where you can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Enter your county (adding your city or ZIP code will give more localized results, but it’s optional)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Check the “Early Voting” and/or “Drop Off Location” boxes\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Hit “Search” to see all the early voting and drop-off locations in that area\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Remember that in-person voting hours may differ by location, and some locations may not be open every day.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howtocontactyourcountydirectlyaboutvoting\">\u003c/a>How can I contact my county directly about voting?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Where to find a ballot drop box near you in the Bay Area, how to use USPS to mail your primary ballot and where you can vote early.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>California voters: the state primary elections are here. And if you’re registered to vote, your ballot will be on its way in the next few days — ahead of Election Day itself on June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wondering where to drop off your completed mail-in ballot in the Bay Area? Or where can you vote in person, and find a polling place near you? What about if you prefer to vote on Election Day itself?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for everything you need to know about submitting your vote in the California primary elections. And if you’re looking for detailed information about what you’ll be voting on, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\">take a look at KQED’s Voter Guide.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Howtofindyourclosestvotinglocationorballotdropoff\">How to find your closest voting location or ballot drop-off\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#HowtofindyourpollingplaceonElectionDay\">How to find your polling place on Election Day\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Howtocontactyourcountydirectlyaboutvoting\">How to contact your county directly about voting\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you’re concerned you might have made a mistake when filling out your ballot, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\">read our guide to addressing common errors on your ballot\u003c/a> (\u003cem>before\u003c/em> you mail it) — and find out \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082075/california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake\">how to get a fresh ballot or vote in person\u003c/a> if you really messed up.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I mail my ballot through the Postal Service?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, you can mail your completed ballot via the U.S. Postal Service at any regular collection box. The envelope is postage paid, so it doesn’t require a stamp, and it’ll be counted as long as it’s\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections\"> postmarked by Election Day and arrives at your county registrar’s office by June 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082112\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082112\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/004_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Porfirio Diaz fills out his mail-in ballot for California’s gubernatorial recall election at his home in Oakland on Sept. 9, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning to mail your ballot on Election Day itself, be \u003cem>very\u003c/em> sure you don’t miss the last collection time for that specific mailbox (which at many locations is 5 p.m. or earlier).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You also shouldn’t drop off your ballot on Election Day at a post office that’s already closed. Doing either of these things will mean your ballot will not be postmarked on Election Day and won’t be counted when it reaches your county’s election office.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I drop off my ballot in a drop box or at a voting location?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Once you complete your mail-in ballot, you can drop it off at an official drop box or voting location instead of mailing it via a U.S. Postal Service collection box. These drop boxes will \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">open by May 5.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A few reasons you might prefer to hand-deliver your completed ballot:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Peace of mind:\u003c/strong> There’s a satisfaction that comes with knowing your ballot should now travel straight to your county elections office rather than going through USPS collection and sorting for delivery\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Timing:\u003c/strong> If it’s Election Day itself, using a drop box or a voting location to drop off your ballot is the best way to be sure it’ll reach your county elections office in time to be counted\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Assistance:\u003c/strong> If you drop off your ballot at a voting location during operating hours and you have a few lingering questions about your ballot or the process, chances are good that you’ll find someone there to help answer them\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Regardless of how you deliver it, you can\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> sign up to track your ballot’s progress with the “Where’s My Ballot?” online tool\u003c/a> and be reassured it’s on its way to being counted.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowtofindyourpollingplaceonElectionDay\">\u003c/a>Where can I vote in person on Election Day?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>On Election Day, in-person voting is still available at every county registrar’s office (also known as your county’s elections office) in the Bay Area. If you’re a San Francisco voter, this location will be City Hall.\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> Find your county registrar’s office and opening hours.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check your mail-in ballot to see where you can vote and whether you’ve been assigned a specific polling place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082113\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082113\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/023_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_TanyaYule_10092020_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco resident hands their mail-in ballot to USPS employee Elmer Padilla on Oct. 9, 2020. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in San Francisco, Contra Costa or Solano counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You are assigned a specific polling place, though Contra Costa County election officials say they can process your ballot no matter where you show up to vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But even if you live in a county that assigns you a particular polling place, you can still vote at\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices\"> your county registrar’s office\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you live in Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Sonoma counties:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can vote at any voting location — known as Vote Centers — including your county registrar’s office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> find your voting location through the state’s lookup tool\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082088\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082088\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/003_KQED_SanFrancisco_Election2020_MailinBallot_10122020_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A San Francisco official mail-in ballot for the Nov. 3, 2020, election. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Do I need to bring my ballot with me?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’d like to cast a ballot in person, it’s a good idea to bring the blank ballot you were mailed, as some counties may require you to vote provisionally if you don’t bring it. If you’re issued a new ballot when you vote in person, any ballot you left at home will be canceled.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Provisional votes are subject to extra checks — confirming that you’re actually registered to vote in California, or that you didn’t already complete and mail your ballot — and this extra layer of confirmation takes time. That means that although your vote will eventually be counted, it might not be tallied on Election Day itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I still need to register to vote. What should I do? Can I do this on Election Day?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The official deadline to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> register online to vote \u003c/a>is Monday, May 18.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Remember, if you’ve changed your name or the political party choice you previously registered to vote with, or you’ve moved address, you’ll need to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> reregister\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you miss the deadline to register, don’t panic: After May 18, you can still complete the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This system enables you to fill out and submit your ballot then and there, up until when polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to voter registration, many voting locations also offer replacement ballots, accessible voting machines and language assistance.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howtofindyourclosestvotinglocationorballotdropoff\">\u003c/a>How can I find my voting location or ballot drop-off?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Secure drop boxes \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">open by May 5, and the first vote centers open \u003c/a>May 23 in certain counties, with more early voting locations opening May 30.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12082116\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12082116\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/010_Oakland_ItzelDiazandFamily_09092021_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Porfirio Diaz drops off his ballot for California’s gubernatorial recall election at a ballot dropbox in Fruitvale on Sept. 9, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Visit the\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> state of California lookup tool\u003c/a>, where you can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Enter your county (adding your city or ZIP code will give more localized results, but it’s optional)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Check the “Early Voting” and/or “Drop Off Location” boxes\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Hit “Search” to see all the early voting and drop-off locations in that area\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Remember that in-person voting hours may differ by location, and some locations may not be open every day.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howtocontactyourcountydirectlyaboutvoting\">\u003c/a>How can I contact my county directly about voting?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "california-primary-elections-2026-faq-governors-race-vote-ballot-signature-how-to-correct-mistake",
"title": "Primary 2026: Read This Before You Fill Out Your California Ballot (or Need to Correct a Mistake)",
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"headTitle": "Primary 2026: Read This Before You Fill Out Your California Ballot (or Need to Correct a Mistake) | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>The midterm elections have arrived, and it’s time to vote in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/election-2026\">California 2026 primary election\u003c/a> — which includes your chance to decide who’ll advance in the race to be the state’s next governor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re a registered California voter, your ballot is on its way in the next few days, if it hasn’t already arrived. Your last day to vote will be Election Day itself, June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But what if you’re unsure of how to fill that ballot out according to how you want to vote? Or what to do if you’ve made a mistake on it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read on to learn how to fill out your ballot when it arrives, how important your signature is, and your options if you need to start again with a fresh ballot. And if you’re looking for detailed information about what you’ll be voting on, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\">take a look at KQED’s Voter Guide.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#ImessedupmyballotWhatshouldIdo\">I messed up my ballot. What should I do? \u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>First of all: Am I registered to vote?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The official deadline to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> register online to vote \u003c/a>is Monday, May 18.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if you’re unsure whether you’re already registered to vote or can’t remember which party preference you already have,\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> check your voter registration details\u003c/a> ASAP.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember, if you’ve changed your name or the political party choice you previously registered to vote with, or you’ve moved address, you’ll need to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> reregister\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Making sure you’re registered — and to the right address — is crucial for getting your ballot on time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11930674\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11930674\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut.jpg\" alt=\"Bright red box reading 'official ballot drop box' on a bright blue table\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1282\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-1020x681.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-1536x1026.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An official ballot drop box during early voting at City Hall in San Francisco on Oct. 11, 2022. \u003ccite>(Marlena Sloss/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And if you miss the deadline to register, don’t panic: That’s the last day to do it \u003cem>online\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After May 18, you can still complete the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and receive your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location, all the way up to 8 p.m. on Election Day itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What’s on my 2026 primary elections ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Depending on which county you live in, your California ballot will present you with a mix of races to vote on:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The primaries for statewide offices \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/governor\">Governor\u003c/a>: The most wide-open primary for governor in a generation was rocked by sexual assault allegations against a leading candidate — former East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/attorney-general\">Attorney general\u003c/a>: Democratic incumbent Rob Bonta seeks reelection to the state’s top law enforcement position.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/insurance-commissioner\">Insurance commissioner\u003c/a>: Wildfires and inflation have thrown California into an insurance crisis. Voters will decide who will be the insurance industry’s chief regulator.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Local measures and races \u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These will depend on your Bay Area county or district, so \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/bayarea\">read more about the local races that are on your ballot.\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How do I return my ballot when I’ve completed it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Drop off your ballot in a secure ballot drop box\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These drop boxes \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">open by May 5.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Return your ballot through the Postal Service \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The return postage is already paid for you. Keep in mind that the Postal Service must postmark your ballot envelope by the end of Election Day for your vote to count — and the last collection at many mailboxes is 5 p.m. If it’s getting late in the day on June 2, you might consider using a county drop box instead of a USPS mailbox.[aside postID=news_12081927 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/VotingCM.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Drop off your ballot in an open voting location\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">The first vote centers open \u003c/a>May 23 in certain counties, with more early voting locations opening May 30.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Do I \u003cem>have\u003c/em> to vote by mail?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>No. \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/vote-mail\">If you’re registered to vote, you’ll be receiving a mail-in ballot by default\u003c/a> for the 2026 primary, without requesting it. But voting by mail is still just one option that’s open to you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can still vote in person, either at an early voting location before Election Day or on Election Day, June 2, itself.\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> Early voting locations will open starting May 23.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"ImessedupmyballotWhatshouldIdo\">\u003c/a>How do I fix a mistake on my ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>It’s important to note that each county is slightly different in how they’d prefer for you to address a mistake on your ballot, and will often provide specific details about corrections \u003cem>on\u003c/em> the ballot itself. If you have a specific question about your ballot that isn’t answered here, you can always contact your local registrar of voters for advice and instructions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What if I have problems with my signature?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you’re done filling out your ballot, you must sign the envelope. But two big mistakes people make with their signatures are:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Forgetting to sign their ballot entirely.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Making a signature that doesn’t match the signature they made when they registered to vote.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Why \u003cem>wouldn’t\u003c/em> your signature match the one on file? If you registered to vote at a young age, maybe your signature has changed over time. Or perhaps you registered to vote at the DMV and provided your signature on a screen with a stylus, which doesn’t quite replicate how you’d make your signature with a pen on paper.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you registered this way, one simple way to avoid any signature problems is to take a quick glance at the signature that’s on your driver’s license or state ID — because that’s the one you want your ballot signature to match.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11932470\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11932470\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A voter seen dropping off a ballot.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A voter drops off a ballot at the City Hall Voting Center in San Francisco on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Even if you didn’t register at the DMV, that signature on your most recent license or state ID is still very likely the one to emulate. That’s because when you register to vote online, your county elections office electronically requests a copy of the signature the DMV \u003cem>currently\u003c/em> has for you, and this information is regularly updated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To further set your mind at rest, know that California isn’t an “exact match” state, and doesn’t demand that voters’ signatures 100% replicate the signature that’s on file.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What if I just don’t know my ‘correct’ signature I’m registered to vote with?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re \u003cem>really\u003c/em> worried about the signature on your envelope not matching the signature you’re registered to vote with, there are two good solutions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One: If it’s on or before May 18, you can\u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\"> reregister to vote with your current signature\u003c/a>, to be sure that the state now has your most recent one on file. If you are reregistering after May 18, you’d need to complete the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2021, Kim Alexander, president of the nonpartisan\u003ca href=\"https://www.calvoter.org/\"> California Voter Foundation\u003c/a>, told us there’s another solution if you’re worried about your signature: Go vote in person, if you’re able.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11931537\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11931537\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022.jpg\" alt=\"Voter submitting their ballot\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters drop off their ballot at Mexican Heritage Plaza polling place in San José on Election Day Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>That’s because the signature goes only on your ballot’s \u003cem>envelope\u003c/em> — and if you’re voting in person, there’s no envelope, because that ballot then goes straight into the ballot box without needing that envelope at all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So if you want that satisfaction of seeing your ballot drop in the box and know that it’s not going to get held up because of some signature issue, you can go and vote in person,” Alexander said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>I already mailed my ballot, but now I’m paranoid about my signature. What if I messed it up?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rest assured: There’s a whole system in place to help you correct your mistake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your county’s election office detects a signature mismatch on your ballot, they’ll reach out to you via mail to verify and work with you to correct it, so that your ballot can be counted after all. It’s called “curing” a ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This system is also applied when it looks like a member of a voter’s family might have signed their ballot, instead of the voter. This happens a \u003cem>surprising\u003c/em> amount when one household has several voters who all receive a ballot in the mail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One way to get peace of mind:\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> Sign up to track your ballot\u003c/a>, and you’ll find out about any issues with your ballot or your signature quickly.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I made a mistake on my ballot. How do I fix it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First, don’t panic. People make mistakes on ballots and find good ways to correct them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Counties give different directions to voters about what to do if they make a mistake (remember: Read the instructions!), but you can usually simply x out the choice you didn’t intend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11847170\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11847170\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A woman in short sleeves and a mask sits at a fold-out table in front of baskets of mail.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1278\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-1020x679.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-1536x1022.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An election employee works in the mail cleaning section, which includes arranging the ballots with their barcodes facing in one direction, at the San Mateo County Elections Office on Oct. 21, 2020. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The job of county elections officials — once they’ve verified your signature — is to make sure your ballot can be read correctly. If that means that your corrections on your ballot have resulted in readability issues, officials working in teams of two will actually remake it for you according to the intent you’ve signaled with your corrections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some counties, like Alameda, ask that you actually contact them first if you make a serious mistake — including voting for the wrong candidate — so they can send you a replacement ballot. So, wherever you live, it’s a good idea to check with your local elections office first to see what \u003cem>they\u003c/em> recommend if you made a mistake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember, there’s always this option …\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What if I just want a new ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’ve made a big mistake on your ballot — too big to fix — your best plan of action may be to focus on getting a new one. And that’s totally OK. You can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Call your county elections office and ask them to cancel that ballot and issue a new one to you.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Go to your county elections office with your spoiled ballot during business hours and vote right there at the counter.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Take advantage of the early voting options available in many counties.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Go to a voting site on Election Day, June 2, turn in your spoiled ballot there and get a new ballot.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You can also do this if you’ve accidentally damaged your ballot in some way (coffee spills happen).\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I think I put the wrong date on my envelope.\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First off, that date should be the date you signed your envelope — not your date of birth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you’re worried you messed up the date, don’t worry. Elections officials say that the date they’re \u003cem>really\u003c/em> looking for is the date that the ballot is postmarked, to make sure it was submitted on time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Election officials will only truly scrutinize the date you’ve written if they receive your ballot \u003cem>after\u003c/em> Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012693\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012693\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters drop off their ballots on Election Day at City Hall in San Francisco on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Like maybe you mailed it Monday before Election Day,” John Gardner, assistant registrar of voters for Solano County, told us in 2020. “That’s when we have to start looking at postmarks on the ballot, or date that the voter signed the envelope, to determine if we can count the ballot or not.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you haven’t mailed your envelope yet, it’s an easy fix: Just clearly cross out the incorrect date on the envelope and write in the correct one above it.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What if I use assistive technology to complete forms?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Getting physical assistance with filling out your ballot from someone you trust is always fine, whether you’re voting at home or at a voting site.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You just need to make sure your signature is your own and matches the one you’re registered to vote with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Disabled voters can also choose to use the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/remote-accessible-vote-mail\"> Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail\u003c/a> system to vote privately and independently at home, using their usual assistive device on their home computer to fill out the ballot on their screen and then print and mail it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Every voting location in California is also equipped with an accessible voting unit. Here, voters with blindness or low vision or who have a disability that limits their dexterity will be able to use the assistive device of their choice that allows them to vote privately and independently.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How can I make sure my mail-in ballot gets there on time?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Remember, one big reason that ballots get disqualified in elections is that voters mail them too late: either too late on Election Day itself (after U.S. Postal Service mailboxes have already been collected), or after Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To be counted in this election, your ballot must be postmarked on Election Day, June 2, at the latest. Your ballot has seven days to reach your county elections office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012702\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012702\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters fill out their ballots as others wait their turn to do the same at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>So in this election, it’s as crucial as ever to make sure you have a plan for voting on time — and if you’re not voting in person, that means making sure you get your ballot into a mailbox or into a secure voting drop box, at a polling location or your county elections office, by the time polls close on June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>A few other common ballot mistakes to watch out for …\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Make sure you’re filling out and signing the ballot and envelope with \u003cem>your\u003c/em> name on it:\u003c/strong> It’s common to see partners or roommates accidentally mix up their ballots. So make sure you’re signing the document that bears your name.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Make sure you use a black or blue pen:\u003c/strong> It reads better, and it doesn’t slow workers down when they have to check to see what voter intent was. (Don’t use a felt-tip or a Sharpie that bleeds through the paper and marks other pages on your ballot.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t mail an empty envelope:\u003c/strong> It does happen. Keeping your envelope and your ballot together in your home might be a helpful way of avoiding this problem. And of course, when you’re ready to mail your ballot, make sure it’s actually inside the envelope before you seal it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t bother with a stamp:\u003c/strong> Your ballot envelope is postage-paid. You don’t need it.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>My ballot is missing or hasn’t arrived. What should I do?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re reading this and you’re worried that your ballot hasn’t arrived yet, make sure you’re not worrying \u003cem>too \u003c/em>early, as the deadline for counties to send out ballots is only May 4.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if it gets to late-May and your ballot still hasn’t materialized, don’t panic: You have options. Here’s what to do:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Check that you’re actually registered to vote — and to the right address.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">Input your details on the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> to check your registration status. This will show whether you’re actually registered to vote, and to which address. It should also show whether your ballot was mailed out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also use\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> the Where’s My Ballot? tool\u003c/a> to check whether your ballot has been sent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you’re registered to the wrong address, you can update it before May 18. \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you update your voter registration and address using\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> before the May 18 deadline to register online, your county will cancel the ballot that went to your old address and send you a new one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12015120\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12015120\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Election workers process ballots at the Shasta County Clerk Registrar of Voters office in Redding on Oct. 30, 2024. \u003ccite>(Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And if it turns out your ballot \u003cem>was \u003c/em>missing because your voter registration wasn’t updated, don’t feel bad — people move all the time and forget to update their registrations accordingly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The California Voter Foundation’s Kim Alexander confirmed to KQED in 2021 that updating your address at the post office doesn’t, in fact, update your voter registration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The DMV, on the other hand, \u003cem>will\u003c/em> update your voter registration details if you update your address with them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If your voter registration address was correct but your ballot never showed up, you still have options.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If it’s more than six days before Election Day, you can call your county elections office and ask them to send a new ballot. Find your county elections office in our contact list (below).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your county elections office won’t mail you a ballot six days or less before Election Day, because it can’t be sure it’ll reach you in time. So if you’re trying to get a ballot in the immediate run-up to Election Day, go to your county elections office in person and request one at the counter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012692\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012692\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">‘I Voted’ stickers sit on a table during Election Day at City Hall in San Francisco on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>From May 4, your county elections office will be open for early voting through June 2, so you could also go there in person during opening hours and vote right there at the counter. More early voting locations will be opening throughout May.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember, if you’re \u003cem>not\u003c/em> actually registered to vote, you always have the option of\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a>, also known as conditional voter registration, at a voting location, where you can then fill out and submit your ballot, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Contact your county directly\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "From the signature on your envelope to what happens if you make a mistake on your ballot, here's how to correctly cast your vote in the 2026 California primary elections.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The midterm elections have arrived, and it’s time to vote in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/election-2026\">California 2026 primary election\u003c/a> — which includes your chance to decide who’ll advance in the race to be the state’s next governor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re a registered California voter, your ballot is on its way in the next few days, if it hasn’t already arrived. Your last day to vote will be Election Day itself, June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But what if you’re unsure of how to fill that ballot out according to how you want to vote? Or what to do if you’ve made a mistake on it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read on to learn how to fill out your ballot when it arrives, how important your signature is, and your options if you need to start again with a fresh ballot. And if you’re looking for detailed information about what you’ll be voting on, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide\">take a look at KQED’s Voter Guide.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#ImessedupmyballotWhatshouldIdo\">I messed up my ballot. What should I do? \u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>First of all: Am I registered to vote?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The official deadline to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> register online to vote \u003c/a>is Monday, May 18.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if you’re unsure whether you’re already registered to vote or can’t remember which party preference you already have,\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> check your voter registration details\u003c/a> ASAP.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember, if you’ve changed your name or the political party choice you previously registered to vote with, or you’ve moved address, you’ll need to\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/\"> reregister\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Making sure you’re registered — and to the right address — is crucial for getting your ballot on time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11930674\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11930674\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut.jpg\" alt=\"Bright red box reading 'official ballot drop box' on a bright blue table\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1282\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-1020x681.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/10/RS59249_Early_Voting_009-qut-1536x1026.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An official ballot drop box during early voting at City Hall in San Francisco on Oct. 11, 2022. \u003ccite>(Marlena Sloss/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And if you miss the deadline to register, don’t panic: That’s the last day to do it \u003cem>online\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After May 18, you can still complete the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and receive your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location, all the way up to 8 p.m. on Election Day itself.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What’s on my 2026 primary elections ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Depending on which county you live in, your California ballot will present you with a mix of races to vote on:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The primaries for statewide offices \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/governor\">Governor\u003c/a>: The most wide-open primary for governor in a generation was rocked by sexual assault allegations against a leading candidate — former East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/attorney-general\">Attorney general\u003c/a>: Democratic incumbent Rob Bonta seeks reelection to the state’s top law enforcement position.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/insurance-commissioner\">Insurance commissioner\u003c/a>: Wildfires and inflation have thrown California into an insurance crisis. Voters will decide who will be the insurance industry’s chief regulator.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Local measures and races \u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These will depend on your Bay Area county or district, so \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/bayarea\">read more about the local races that are on your ballot.\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How do I return my ballot when I’ve completed it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Drop off your ballot in a secure ballot drop box\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These drop boxes \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">open by May 5.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Return your ballot through the Postal Service \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The return postage is already paid for you. Keep in mind that the Postal Service must postmark your ballot envelope by the end of Election Day for your vote to count — and the last collection at many mailboxes is 5 p.m. If it’s getting late in the day on June 2, you might consider using a county drop box instead of a USPS mailbox.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Drop off your ballot in an open voting location\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026\">The first vote centers open \u003c/a>May 23 in certain counties, with more early voting locations opening May 30.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Do I \u003cem>have\u003c/em> to vote by mail?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>No. \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/vote-mail\">If you’re registered to vote, you’ll be receiving a mail-in ballot by default\u003c/a> for the 2026 primary, without requesting it. But voting by mail is still just one option that’s open to you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can still vote in person, either at an early voting location before Election Day or on Election Day, June 2, itself.\u003ca href=\"https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/\"> Early voting locations will open starting May 23.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"ImessedupmyballotWhatshouldIdo\">\u003c/a>How do I fix a mistake on my ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>It’s important to note that each county is slightly different in how they’d prefer for you to address a mistake on your ballot, and will often provide specific details about corrections \u003cem>on\u003c/em> the ballot itself. If you have a specific question about your ballot that isn’t answered here, you can always contact your local registrar of voters for advice and instructions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What if I have problems with my signature?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you’re done filling out your ballot, you must sign the envelope. But two big mistakes people make with their signatures are:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Forgetting to sign their ballot entirely.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Making a signature that doesn’t match the signature they made when they registered to vote.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Why \u003cem>wouldn’t\u003c/em> your signature match the one on file? If you registered to vote at a young age, maybe your signature has changed over time. Or perhaps you registered to vote at the DMV and provided your signature on a screen with a stylus, which doesn’t quite replicate how you’d make your signature with a pen on paper.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you registered this way, one simple way to avoid any signature problems is to take a quick glance at the signature that’s on your driver’s license or state ID — because that’s the one you want your ballot signature to match.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11932470\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11932470\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A voter seen dropping off a ballot.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/RS59970_010_KQED_CityHallSFVoting_11082022-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A voter drops off a ballot at the City Hall Voting Center in San Francisco on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Even if you didn’t register at the DMV, that signature on your most recent license or state ID is still very likely the one to emulate. That’s because when you register to vote online, your county elections office electronically requests a copy of the signature the DMV \u003cem>currently\u003c/em> has for you, and this information is regularly updated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To further set your mind at rest, know that California isn’t an “exact match” state, and doesn’t demand that voters’ signatures 100% replicate the signature that’s on file.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What if I just don’t know my ‘correct’ signature I’m registered to vote with?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re \u003cem>really\u003c/em> worried about the signature on your envelope not matching the signature you’re registered to vote with, there are two good solutions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One: If it’s on or before May 18, you can\u003ca href=\"https://registertovote.ca.gov/\"> reregister to vote with your current signature\u003c/a>, to be sure that the state now has your most recent one on file. If you are reregistering after May 18, you’d need to complete the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a> process (also known as “conditional voting”) and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2021, Kim Alexander, president of the nonpartisan\u003ca href=\"https://www.calvoter.org/\"> California Voter Foundation\u003c/a>, told us there’s another solution if you’re worried about your signature: Go vote in person, if you’re able.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11931537\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11931537\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022.jpg\" alt=\"Voter submitting their ballot\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/002_KQED_SanJoseVoting_11082022-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters drop off their ballot at Mexican Heritage Plaza polling place in San José on Election Day Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>That’s because the signature goes only on your ballot’s \u003cem>envelope\u003c/em> — and if you’re voting in person, there’s no envelope, because that ballot then goes straight into the ballot box without needing that envelope at all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So if you want that satisfaction of seeing your ballot drop in the box and know that it’s not going to get held up because of some signature issue, you can go and vote in person,” Alexander said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>I already mailed my ballot, but now I’m paranoid about my signature. What if I messed it up?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rest assured: There’s a whole system in place to help you correct your mistake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your county’s election office detects a signature mismatch on your ballot, they’ll reach out to you via mail to verify and work with you to correct it, so that your ballot can be counted after all. It’s called “curing” a ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This system is also applied when it looks like a member of a voter’s family might have signed their ballot, instead of the voter. This happens a \u003cem>surprising\u003c/em> amount when one household has several voters who all receive a ballot in the mail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One way to get peace of mind:\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> Sign up to track your ballot\u003c/a>, and you’ll find out about any issues with your ballot or your signature quickly.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I made a mistake on my ballot. How do I fix it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First, don’t panic. People make mistakes on ballots and find good ways to correct them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Counties give different directions to voters about what to do if they make a mistake (remember: Read the instructions!), but you can usually simply x out the choice you didn’t intend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11847170\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11847170\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A woman in short sleeves and a mask sits at a fold-out table in front of baskets of mail.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1278\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-1020x679.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/RS45375_017_KQED_SanMateo_ElectionsOffice_10212020-qut-1536x1022.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An election employee works in the mail cleaning section, which includes arranging the ballots with their barcodes facing in one direction, at the San Mateo County Elections Office on Oct. 21, 2020. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The job of county elections officials — once they’ve verified your signature — is to make sure your ballot can be read correctly. If that means that your corrections on your ballot have resulted in readability issues, officials working in teams of two will actually remake it for you according to the intent you’ve signaled with your corrections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some counties, like Alameda, ask that you actually contact them first if you make a serious mistake — including voting for the wrong candidate — so they can send you a replacement ballot. So, wherever you live, it’s a good idea to check with your local elections office first to see what \u003cem>they\u003c/em> recommend if you made a mistake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember, there’s always this option …\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What if I just want a new ballot?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’ve made a big mistake on your ballot — too big to fix — your best plan of action may be to focus on getting a new one. And that’s totally OK. You can:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Call your county elections office and ask them to cancel that ballot and issue a new one to you.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Go to your county elections office with your spoiled ballot during business hours and vote right there at the counter.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Take advantage of the early voting options available in many counties.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Go to a voting site on Election Day, June 2, turn in your spoiled ballot there and get a new ballot.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You can also do this if you’ve accidentally damaged your ballot in some way (coffee spills happen).\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I think I put the wrong date on my envelope.\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First off, that date should be the date you signed your envelope — not your date of birth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you’re worried you messed up the date, don’t worry. Elections officials say that the date they’re \u003cem>really\u003c/em> looking for is the date that the ballot is postmarked, to make sure it was submitted on time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Election officials will only truly scrutinize the date you’ve written if they receive your ballot \u003cem>after\u003c/em> Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012693\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012693\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-21-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters drop off their ballots on Election Day at City Hall in San Francisco on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Like maybe you mailed it Monday before Election Day,” John Gardner, assistant registrar of voters for Solano County, told us in 2020. “That’s when we have to start looking at postmarks on the ballot, or date that the voter signed the envelope, to determine if we can count the ballot or not.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you haven’t mailed your envelope yet, it’s an easy fix: Just clearly cross out the incorrect date on the envelope and write in the correct one above it.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What if I use assistive technology to complete forms?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Getting physical assistance with filling out your ballot from someone you trust is always fine, whether you’re voting at home or at a voting site.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You just need to make sure your signature is your own and matches the one you’re registered to vote with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Disabled voters can also choose to use the\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/remote-accessible-vote-mail\"> Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail\u003c/a> system to vote privately and independently at home, using their usual assistive device on their home computer to fill out the ballot on their screen and then print and mail it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Every voting location in California is also equipped with an accessible voting unit. Here, voters with blindness or low vision or who have a disability that limits their dexterity will be able to use the assistive device of their choice that allows them to vote privately and independently.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How can I make sure my mail-in ballot gets there on time?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Remember, one big reason that ballots get disqualified in elections is that voters mail them too late: either too late on Election Day itself (after U.S. Postal Service mailboxes have already been collected), or after Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To be counted in this election, your ballot must be postmarked on Election Day, June 2, at the latest. Your ballot has seven days to reach your county elections office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012702\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012702\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTION-DAY-ALLEN-TEMPLE-MD-05-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters fill out their ballots as others wait their turn to do the same at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>So in this election, it’s as crucial as ever to make sure you have a plan for voting on time — and if you’re not voting in person, that means making sure you get your ballot into a mailbox or into a secure voting drop box, at a polling location or your county elections office, by the time polls close on June 2.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>A few other common ballot mistakes to watch out for …\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Make sure you’re filling out and signing the ballot and envelope with \u003cem>your\u003c/em> name on it:\u003c/strong> It’s common to see partners or roommates accidentally mix up their ballots. So make sure you’re signing the document that bears your name.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Make sure you use a black or blue pen:\u003c/strong> It reads better, and it doesn’t slow workers down when they have to check to see what voter intent was. (Don’t use a felt-tip or a Sharpie that bleeds through the paper and marks other pages on your ballot.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t mail an empty envelope:\u003c/strong> It does happen. Keeping your envelope and your ballot together in your home might be a helpful way of avoiding this problem. And of course, when you’re ready to mail your ballot, make sure it’s actually inside the envelope before you seal it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t bother with a stamp:\u003c/strong> Your ballot envelope is postage-paid. You don’t need it.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>My ballot is missing or hasn’t arrived. What should I do?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re reading this and you’re worried that your ballot hasn’t arrived yet, make sure you’re not worrying \u003cem>too \u003c/em>early, as the deadline for counties to send out ballots is only May 4.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if it gets to late-May and your ballot still hasn’t materialized, don’t panic: You have options. Here’s what to do:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Check that you’re actually registered to vote — and to the right address.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\">Input your details on the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> to check your registration status. This will show whether you’re actually registered to vote, and to which address. It should also show whether your ballot was mailed out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also use\u003ca href=\"https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/\"> the Where’s My Ballot? tool\u003c/a> to check whether your ballot has been sent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you’re registered to the wrong address, you can update it before May 18. \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you update your voter registration and address using\u003ca href=\"https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/\"> the secretary of state’s voter status page\u003c/a> before the May 18 deadline to register online, your county will cancel the ballot that went to your old address and send you a new one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12015120\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12015120\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/103024-Shasta-County-Election-Ballots-MG-CM-02-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Election workers process ballots at the Shasta County Clerk Registrar of Voters office in Redding on Oct. 30, 2024. \u003ccite>(Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And if it turns out your ballot \u003cem>was \u003c/em>missing because your voter registration wasn’t updated, don’t feel bad — people move all the time and forget to update their registrations accordingly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The California Voter Foundation’s Kim Alexander confirmed to KQED in 2021 that updating your address at the post office doesn’t, in fact, update your voter registration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The DMV, on the other hand, \u003cem>will\u003c/em> update your voter registration details if you update your address with them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If your voter registration address was correct but your ballot never showed up, you still have options.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If it’s more than six days before Election Day, you can call your county elections office and ask them to send a new ballot. Find your county elections office in our contact list (below).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Your county elections office won’t mail you a ballot six days or less before Election Day, because it can’t be sure it’ll reach you in time. So if you’re trying to get a ballot in the immediate run-up to Election Day, go to your county elections office in person and request one at the counter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12012692\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12012692\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241105-ELECTIONDAY-20-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">‘I Voted’ stickers sit on a table during Election Day at City Hall in San Francisco on Nov. 5, 2024. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>From May 4, your county elections office will be open for early voting through June 2, so you could also go there in person during opening hours and vote right there at the counter. More early voting locations will be opening throughout May.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember, if you’re \u003cem>not\u003c/em> actually registered to vote, you always have the option of\u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg\"> same-day voter registration\u003c/a>, also known as conditional voter registration, at a voting location, where you can then fill out and submit your ballot, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Contact your county directly\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Across the Bay Area, elections officials are encouraging voters to reach out — early — with any questions or concerns. Here’s the contact information for your county:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/index\">\u003cstrong>Alameda\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: For information about voting by mail, registration and polling place lookup, call 510-267-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/\">\u003cstrong>Contra Costa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 925-335-7800 or email voter.services@vote.cccounty.us.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv\">\u003cstrong>Marin\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-473-6456 or go to the Marin County elections webpage to\u003ca href=\"https://www.marincounty.org/depts/rv/contact-us\"> send a form email\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/396/Elections\">\u003cstrong>Napa\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-253-4321 or email the elections office at elections@countyofnapa.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfelections.sfgov.org\">\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 415-554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcacre.org/elections\">\u003cstrong>San Mateo\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 888-762-8683 or email registrar@smcacre.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rov/Pages/Registrar-of-Voters.aspx\">\u003cstrong>Santa Clara\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call toll-free at 866-430-VOTE (8683) or email registrar@rov.sccgov.org.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov/default.asp\">\u003cstrong>Solano\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>: \u003c/strong>Call 707-784-6675 or 888-933-VOTE (8683). You can also email elections@solanocounty.com.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CRA/Registrar-of-Voters/\">\u003cstrong>Sonoma\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>: Call 707-565-6800 or toll-free at 800-750-8683.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The state also has a full list of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/\">every county elections office in California\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
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"info": "Political Breakdown is a new series that explores the political intersection of California and the nation. Each week hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos are joined with a new special guest to unpack politics -- with personality — and offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics happens.",
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"info": "Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? Each episode also includes a short fiction story generated by advanced AI GPT-4, serving as a thought-provoking springboard to speculate how humanity could leverage technology for good.",
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"radiolab": {
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},
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"info": "The Snap Judgment radio show and podcast mixes real stories with killer beats to produce cinematic, dramatic radio. Snap's musical brand of storytelling dares listeners to see the world through the eyes of another. This is storytelling... with a BEAT!! Snap first aired on public radio stations nationwide in July 2010. Today, Snap Judgment airs on over 450 public radio stations and is brought to the airwaves by KQED & PRX.",
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"soldout": {
"id": "soldout",
"title": "SOLD OUT: Rethinking Housing in America",
"tagline": "A new future for housing",
"info": "Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
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