HomeStudent Vote SLO

Student Vote SLO

The next election is the General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. All active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot. Here’s the basic information you need to cast your ballot.

Dates to Know

Oct 5	Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailing to all active registered voters; early voting begins at the SLO County Elections Office.
Oct 6	Official ballot drop boxes open.
Oct 19	Last day to register to vote online or by mail for the November 3 election. Oct 20–Nov 3: Same-day (conditional) registration available. Register and vote in person at the SLO County Elections Office (the Atascadero office opens October 26) or any polling location. Bring ID with your current address.
Nov 3	GENERAL ELECTION DAY: polls open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Nov 10	Deadline for mailed ballots to be received; they must be postmarked on or before November 3.

What’s on Your November Ballot

This is a big ballot. SLO County voters will decide on 14 statewide propositions, plus federal, state, county, and city races. Many voters will also see local measures that vary by city and district. Start reviewing early so you’re ready to vote.

Use VOTE411, the League of Women Voters of California's Pros and Cons, and its statewide ballot recommendations to understand every measure before you fill out your ballot.

Need to register or re-register to vote? Visit VOTE411.

Register by October 19. After that, you can still register and vote in person at the SLO County Elections Office or a polling place.

Reasons you might need to re-register:

You moved
You changed your name
You want to change your political party

Can't remember if you're registered? Check your voter status at VOTE411.

How to Vote

You have several options to submit your ballot:

Mail: Postmark on or before Election Day. Your signature should match the name you registered with or the one on your CA driver’s license.
Tip: SLO County’s nearest postal hub is in Goleta, more than 50 miles away. Mail your ballot 7 to 10 days early, or take it inside a post office for a hand-stamped postmark.
Drop Box: Starting October 6, deposit your sealed ballot in an official drop box. Find drop box locations.
Polling Place: Vote in person, drop off your ballot, or register. Look up your polling place.
Track: Sign up to track your ballot.

Be an Informed Voter

Visit VOTE411 to look up your personalized ballot. With VOTE411 you can:
- Get information on candidates, measures, and who supports them
- Check where, when, and how to vote
- Make notes to fill out your ballot
Review the statewide propositions with the League of Women Voters of California's Pros and Cons.
Read the Easy Voter Guide, a plain-language reference on why, how, and what to vote. Available in 5 languages (English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese).
Attend a candidate forum or watch a replay on our Candidate Forums page.
Review the League of Women Voters of California's statewide ballot recommendations.
Read the county's fact sheet for Cal Poly and Cuesta students.

Connect with Us

Follow @lwvslo on Instagram and Facebook for election reminders and updates.

Questions about voting as a college student? Email studentvoteslo@lwvslo.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Accordion Widget

Why should I register to vote?

Registering to vote is essential to making your voice heard. Voting is one of the number one ways to fight for change and as young people we need to vote in order to make our voices heard when decisions are being made.

Accordion Widget

Why should I vote this year?

Even though this year is a non-presidential election, it is just as important to vote in the upcoming Nov 3 election. On the ballot this year are important statewide races like the race for governor, local races like the race for mayor, and 14 ballot propositions. These things have the potential to make a real impact on your life, so voting is essential.

Accordion Widget

Why should I register to vote in SLO County?

There are many reasons to register to vote in SLO County as a college student.

(1) Registering to vote in SLO allows your vote by mail ballot to come directly to your doorstep. That way, you don’t have to worry about asking a family member or friend to mail you your ballot, you can simply fill it out when it arrives and send it back in the mail.

(2) Voting in SLO also gives you an impact in local elections. A lot of issues you may care about such as housing, parking downtown, and party noise regulations are decided on a city and county level. Voting in local elections allows you to make your voice heard when officials are making decisions you care about.