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Your 2022 midterm election questions answered

North State Public Radio has partnered with America Amplified to answer questions about how to participate in the special and midterm elections. Here are some of the top questions from Northern Californians we have been able to answer thus far.

Do you have a question we haven’t answered yet? Submit your question on the link on our “Elections Questions” page.

Frequently Asked Questions about the midterm elections:

When is the election?

The midterm Election is on Tuesday, November 8th.

According to the California Secretary of State’s office, the polls must open at 7:00 a.m. and stay open until 8:00 p.m. However, these times may differ for unconsolidated municipal elections.

All active registered voters will automatically receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 8, Election. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by November 8, 2022; ballots returned at a secure ballot drop box must be deposited by 8:00 p.m. on November 8, 2022.

One or more early voting locations will be available in all counties for at least ten days prior to the election. Voting locations will offer voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines, and language assistance.

You can find out about early voting locations and drop off boxes but submitting your address at this website: https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/

What’s on my ballot?

All registered voters in the state should receive their vote-by-mail ballot for the November 8th election by mid-October. County elections office began mailing ballots out no later than October 10. If you are a registered voter in California and you did not receive your ballot, you can track it by going to this website and submitting your name and address.

Your General Election ballot will include:

  • 7 Ballot Propositions
  • Statewide candidates for U.S. Senate, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, Member of the State Board of Equalization, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • U.S. Representative in Congress, State Senator, State Assemblymember
  • Supreme Court justices, as well as other local races

How can I find out if I’m registered to vote?

You can check out your voter registration status by going to the Secretary of State’s website and The registration deadline is 15 days before election day, or October 24, 2022 for the upcoming Midterm Elections. But in California, there’s a safety net for voters who miss that deadline known as same day voter registration. Eligible citizens who need to register or re-register to vote within 14 days of an election can complete this process to register and vote at their county elections office, polling place, or vote center. Those Ballots will be processed and counted once the county elections office has completed the voter registration verification process.

Visit caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov for a list of early voting locations where you can complete the Same Day Voter Registration Process.

What do I need to take with me to the polls?

Generally speaking, a California voter is not required to show identification to a polling place worker before casting a ballot.

However, if you are voting for the first time after registering to vote by mail and did not provide an official I.D., In this case, be sure to bring identification with you to your polling place or include a copy of it with your vote-by-mail ballot. A copy of a recent utility bill, the sample ballot booklet you received from your county elections office or another document sent to you by a government agency are examples. You could also bring your passport, driver license, official state identification card, or student identification card showing your name and photograph.

You can review the complete list of the acceptable forms of voter identification to use at a polling place when voting for the first time or call the Secretary of State's toll-free Voter Hotline at (800) 345- VOTE (8683) for more information.

What CAN'T I bring with me to the polls?

Any kind of electioneering or campaigning is prohibited within 100 feet of polling places in California. That means no signs, clothing or information in favor of or against any candidate or proposition is allowed. For more on what is allowed and what is not allowed near a polling place, check out the Secretary of State’s website.

I am still confused about Propositions 26 and 27 on the state ballot this year. What are the key differences between these two propositions, and what exactly is the extra generated revenue being put towards?

Our partners at the non-profit news outlet CalMatters have produced this guide to help voters like you understand the issues around sports betting, including the two propositions.

This post will be updated as we continue to get questions, and find answers!

This story was produced as part of the America Amplified Election 2022 initiative using community engagement to inform and strengthen local, regional and national journalism. America Amplified is a public media initiative funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.