If you are a U.S. citizen and will be at least 18 years old on Election Day and not in prison for the conviction of a felony, you may vote. You must register at least fifteen (15) days before the election to qualify to vote in that election. 

In order to be eligible to vote, you must be a United States citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day and not in prison for the conviction of a felony. You must register to vote in the county in which you list your residence. By registering, you declare your residency in the State of California within the County and district of your actual physical residence.

If you move from your voter residence address or change your mailing address, you must change your address with the County of San Luis Obispo Election Department. Your change of address must be in writing.  You may complete a new registration form online (registertovote.ca.gov), mail your address change request in writing to the Clerk-Recorder office, or you may update your voter information at the DMV.

You vote at your polling place in an assigned precinct, which is located in a neighborhood building. After you register to vote, a voter information card is sent to you through the mail and may be used for identification purposes.  Beginning forty (40) days before each election, a Sample Ballot will be mailed to you with your precinct number and the location of your polling place. It is important that you know your precinct number and polling place location prior to Election Day. If you are unsure of this information, use the Polling Place Lookup, or call the Clerk-Recorder office at (805) 781-5228.

Voter information may be provided to a candidate for office, a ballot measure committee, or other person for election, scholarly, journalistic, political, or governmental purposes, as determined by the Secretary of State.

Statement of Permissible Uses of Personal Information, California Elections Code, Division 2, Section 2157.2

Information on your voter registration affidavit will be used by elections officials to send you official information on the voting process, such as the location of your polling place and the issues and candidates that will appear on the ballot. Commercial use of voter registration information is prohibited by law and is a misdemeanor. Voter information may be provided to a candidate for office, a ballot measure committee, or other persons for election, scholarly, journalistic, political, or governmental purposes, as determined by the Secretary of State. Driver’s license and social security numbers, or your signature as shown on your voter registration card, cannot be released for these purposes. If you have any questions about the use of voter information or wish to report suspected misuse of such information, please call the Secretary of State’s Voter Protection and Assistance Hotline.

Certain voters facing life-threatening situations may qualify for confidential voter status. For more information, please contact the Secretary of State’s Safe At Home program or visit the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site.