A comprehensive Bruin guide to the California general election

As California prepares for its midterm elections, here are some ways to make sure your voice is heard. This is a critical moment for eligible voters to shape national politics, with the California governor's seat open and control of Congress at stake. Numerous local elections and amendment propositions are on this year's ballot - and L.A. will also have the opportunity to elect a new mayor. UCLA experts, scholars and leaders are here to help by providing information and support for our campus community as we perform our civic duty by exercising our right to vote.

Checking your eligibility

California's regular voter registration deadline has already passed. Check that you are registered.

If you missed the registration deadline:

• California offers Conditional Voter Registration from Oct. 20 through Nov. 3.
• Eligible voters can complete the registration process and cast a provisional ballot at a county elections office, Vote Center or other designated voting location.

Where, when and how to vote

UCLA's four Vote Centers:

UCLA De Neve Plaza

Address: 351 Charles E Young Drive West, Los Angeles, CA 90024, Rooms P352 and P353

• Voting period: Oct. 31-Nov. 3
• Vote Center hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Nov. 3 (Election Day) hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Hammer Museum

Address: 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024, Annenberg Terrace

• Voting period: Oct. 31-Nov. 3
• Vote Center hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Nov. 3 (Election Day) hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m

UCLA Ackerman Union

Address: 308 Westwood Plaza, 2nd floor, Los Angeles, CA 90024, 2nd floor Bruin Reception Room

• Voting period: Oct. 31-Nov. 3
• Vote Center hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Nov. 3 (Election Day) hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

UCLA Ackerman Union Location #2 - Nov. 2 ONLY

Address: 308 Westwood Plaza, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90024, 2nd floor Ackerman Grand Ballroom

• Voting period: Nov. 2 ONLY
• Vote Center hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Off-campus Vote Centers

Voters can find locations closer to home at the L.A. County Vote Centers website, which also includes estimated wait times.

Voting by mail

You can drop off completed ballots at a secure drop-off location or county elections office.

• UCLA's drop box is located on Westwood Plaza (next to the parking and information kiosk).
• Find your nearest official ballot drop box.

Ballots can also be returned by mail, but they must be postmarked by Nov. 3, 2026, and mailed at least seven days in advance.

Drop off completed ballots at:

• USPS post offices or Blue Boxes (no postage required)
• Vote Centers on campus or any Vote Center in L.A. County

If you still have your ballot on Election Day, you must use a drop box or Vote Center. If mailing your ballot on Election Day, get a hand-stamped postmark from a postal employee inside a USPS post office.

Making an informed decision: Support, resources and upcoming events

Watch (recorded version): What Can Go Wrong and What Can Go Right with November's Midterm Elections?

• The UCLA Law Safeguarding Democracy Project, an initiative that promotes free and fair elections in the U.S., held a webinar addressing questions and concerns about the November midterm elections. UCLA law professor Richard Hasen moderated a conversation with voting rights advocate Jonathan Diaz, government policy expert Matt Gerner, legal scholar Justin Leavitt and UCLA staff attorney Shelby Wayment.

Watch (recorded version): California's billionaire tax and the economic debate about Prop 40

UCLA's California Center for Population Research hosted a conversation about the economic issues and potential implications surrounding California's proposed billionaire tax, Proposition 40. Moderated by UCLA professors Kirk Stark and Juliana Londoño Vélez, panelists included UCLA law professor Kimberly Clausing, UCLA economics professor Lee Ohanian and UC Berkeley economics professor Emmanuel Saez.

Film screening: 'On Rescuing Democracy and the Rule of Law'

UCLA's Safeguarding Democracy Project will also be hosting a screening of "On Rescuing Democracy and the Rule of Law," followed by a Q&A with the film's director, Terry Sanders, and director of the Defending Democracy Clinic at UC Irvine, Paul Hoffman. The film explores the challenges and threats to U.S. democracy, with a special focus on the response to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. Register to attend the screening, which will take place on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m., in UCLA Law, Room 1314. Light refreshments will be provided.

Post-election support

Webinar: Lessons for a Warming Country

• This discussion will focus on how midterm results will shape climate politics and environmental policy on a local, state and national level, with a panel of experts that includes UCLA law professor Alejandro Camacho; Marta Segura, director of the UCLA Center for Healthy Climate Solutions; former California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon; and Jon Christensen, director of UCLA's Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies. Register to attend this event on Nov. 9 at 5:30 p.m.

Webinar: Assessing the Fairness and Integrity of the November Elections

• The Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA will also host a retrospective webinar reflecting on the fairness of midterm administration, joined by speakers Guy Charles (Harvard), Bill Gates (Arizona State University), Tammy Patrick (Election Center), Charles Stewart (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Susan Stokes (University of Chicago). The conversation will be led by project director and UCLA law professor Richard Hasen. Register to join the conversation on Nov. 16 at 12:15 p.m.

Additional resources

• BruinsVote for more voting resources
• UCLA Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement for more information and opportunities for civic learning and democratic engagement
• L.A. Times voting guide and official state voting guide to learn more about what's on the ballot