CALIFORNIA RECALL ELECTION 2021
What time do polling places and voting centers open and close on 2021 California Recall Election?
Election Day is just around the corner when California voters will decide the fate of Governor Gavin Newsom, but voters don’t need to wait until Tuesday.
California voters are already making their voices heard on whether to ditch Governor Gavin Newsom for one of the 46 contenders to take his job or keep him in place. Voters have until 14 September to make up their minds and cast a ballot.
Across the state voters have a handful of options for how they want to turn in their ballot; in person, at a drop-off box or via mail-in-ballot. Here are the times and dates when you can do so.
Also see:
- What you’ll need to vote in the 2021 California Recall Election
- Where can I find the nearest ballot drop box in California?
- What does the California Gubernatorial Recall ballot look like? Check out a sample ballot
- Gov. Newsom polled to survive recall bid
- When was the last Governor recalled in California? How many times has it happened?
- How does the California recall election affect the rest of the United States?
- How can I check if my ballot was received in California?
Deadline to return your ballot or vote in-person
All active registered voters were sent a ballot by mail last month. Voters who cast their ballot in person will need to do so by 8 pm Tuesday, 14 September for it to count. This goes for people that want to drop off their ballot at their local polling location or at a secure drop-off box, ballots delivered after 8 pm will not be tallied.
Early voting began 4 September in select counties around the state, but with less than four days until the election all counties now have at least one location open for voters to cast their ballot early and avoid lines on Election Day.
Where to vote or drop off your ballot
You can find the nearest early voting and ballot drop-off box locations through the state’s online tool here. Voters that choose to vote in person on Election Day can use the polling location lookup tool to find your polling place. California residents can also call the Secretary of State's toll-free Voter Hotline at (800) 345- VOTE (8683) or text “Vote” to 468683 for more information.
Polls will be open on 14 September from 7 am to 8 pm.
Absentee voter deadline
Californians that want to send their mail-in-ballot via the Postal Service will need to have it postmarked no later than 14 September. It must arrive no later than three days after the election in order for it to count. For those serving or living overseas your ballot must be received no later than seven days after the election, but must still be postmarked on or before the recall Election Day.
You can track your ballot and receive notifications through the state’s Where’s My Ballot service.