Elections 2026: Voter Resources

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Below is information on voter registration, how and where to vote, important deadlines compiled by the City Clerk's office and additional resources to be an informed voter compiled by the Library.

Register to Vote

• Check your registration, opens a new window and/or register to vote, opens a new window with the California Secretary of State. The deadline to register is October 19, 2026. Conditional voter registration is available at Vote Centers up to and including on Election Day.
• If you changed your legal name or political affiliation since you last voted, you must register/re-register to vote.
• If you are already registered to vote in Santa Clara County and want to change your address, request a language preference, or correct errors on your registration information, you can complete and submit a Voter Action Request Form (VARF).

How to Vote in Santa Clara County

All registered voters in Santa Clara County receive a vote-by-mail ballot in the mail. To cast your ballot, you can vote by mail, vote at a Vote Center, or use a ballot drop box. 

Vote by Mail

NOTE: No postage is required for ballots sent by mail.

• Ballots Mailed: Ballots are mailed to all registered voters starting the week of October 5, 2026.
• Replacement Ballot: If you lose or destroy your original vote-by-mail ballot, you may request a replacement by mail through the Registrar of Voters, opens a new window by Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
• Returning Your Ballot: Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a ballot drop-off location, or at a Vote Center. Do not forget to sign, date, and seal the outside of your ballot envelope.
• Last Day to Postmark Your Ballot: Your mail-in ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and ballots must be received by no later than 7 days after Election Day. Be sure to drop it in the mail with enough time to avoid postal delays.
• Ballot Tracking: You can track your ballot through the California Secretary of State's office.

If you don’t typically vote-by-mail or are not sure, verify and update your preferences at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov, opens a new window.

Vote at a Vote Center

Voters may cast their ballot at any Vote Center within the County. Vote centers open several days before Election Day. You can do the following at a vote center:

• Drop off your vote-by-mail ballot
• Get a replacement ballot
• Vote using an accessible voting machine
• Get help and voting material in multiple languages
• Register to vote or update voter registration

Vote Center Hours & Locations in Palo Alto & Stanford

There are eight Vote Centers in Palo Alto and Stanford for the November 2026 Election. The Vote Centers at the Palo Alto Art Center and the Ventura Community Center open 11 days before Election Day. All other Vote Centers in Palo Alto open 4 days before Election Day.

• Mitchell Park Community Center (El Palo Alto Room, 3700 Middlefield Road): October 31 - November 2, from 9 am to 5 pm, and on November 3, from 7 am to 8 pm
• Palo Alto Art Center (Auditorium, 1313 Newell Road): October 24 - November 2, from 9 am to 5 pm, and on November 3, from 7 am - 8 pm
• Palo Alto Buddhist Temple (Issei Hall, 2751 Louis Road): October 31 - November 2, from 9 am to 5 pm, and on November 3, from 7 am to 8 pm
• Palo Alto Elks Lodge (Ballroom, 4249 El Camino Real): October 31 - November 2, from 9 am to 5 pm, and on November 3, from 7 am to 8 pm
• Palo Alto Lawn Bowls Club (Clubhouse, 474 Embarcadero Road): October 31 - November 2, from 9 am to 5 pm, and on November 3, from 7 am to 8 pm
• Stanford University - Graduate Community Center (Havana Room, 750 Escondido Road): October 31 - November 2, from 9 am to 5 pm, and on November 3, from 7 am to 8 pm
• Stanford University - Tressider Memorial Union (Oak Lounge, 2nd Floor, 450 Lagunnita Drive): October 31 - November 2, from 9 am to 5 pm, and on November 3, from 7 am to 8 pm
• Ventura Community Center (Activity Center, 3990 Ventura Court): October 24 – November 2, from 9 am – 5 pm, and on November 3, from 7 am – 8 pm
• On Election Day, November 3, 2026: All Vote Centers in the County and Registrar of Voters office (1555 Berger Drive, San Jose, CA) are open 7 am – 8 pm to drop off your ballot or vote in person.

Click here for a full list of Vote Centers locations and hours across Santa Clara County.

Vote Using a Ballot Drop Box

Secure ballot drop boxes are available 24/7 to hand-deliver your ballot without entering a vote center. For your ballot to be counted, it must be dropped off by 8 pm on November 3, 2026 (Election Day).

Ballot Drop Box Locations in Palo Alto & Stanford

• Palo Alto City Hall (outside drop box), 250 Hamilton Avenue
• Palo Alto High School (outside drop box), 50 Embarcadero Road
• Mitchell Park Library (outside drop box - at curb near front entrance), 3700 Middlefield Road; please do not put ballots in Library book drops
• Rinconada Library (outside drop box - northside of building, opposite the Art Center), 1213 Newell Road; please do not put ballots in Library book drops
• Stanford Hospital (outside drop box), 300 Pasteur Drive

Click here for a full list of ballot drop box locations across Santa Clara County.

Important Dates

• October 5, 2026: Ballots mailed to all registered voters. Early voting begins at the Registrar of Voters office (Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday, October 24 & 25, October 31 & November 1, 9 am to 5 pm; November 3, 8 am - 8 pm) 
• October 19, 2026: Last day to register to vote. (Conditional voter registration is available at Vote Centers up to and including on Election Day.)
• October 24, 2026: 11-day Vote Centers open
• October 27, 2026: Last day to request a replacement vote-by-mail ballot by mail
• October 31, 2026: 4-day Vote Centers open
• November 3, 2026 — Election Day: All Vote Centers open from 7 am – 8 pm

State, County & City Voter Resources

For questions or additional resources, contact the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters (866-430-VOTE (8683)).

• Ballot drop box sites & early voting information, opens a new window
• Replacement vote-by-mail ballot, opens a new window
• Track your vote-by-mail ballot, opens a new window
• Vote Center locations & hours, opens a new window
• County voter information guide, opens a new window: includes your sample ballot, voting instructions, and information about local candidates and measures; available in various languages
• County Registrar of Voters' workshops: information on the November 3 elections (in English and multiple languages) and recorded information session
• City Clerk Municipal Election Guide: information on voter registration, vote centers and ballot boxes, important dates, and Measure J 
• Navigating Election Season - A Guide for City Officials, City Employees, and the Public: issued by the City of Palo Alto for community members to understand restrictions on local government officers and employees during election season

Be an Informed Voter

The following are nonpartisan resources about the November 3 Election. (Note: These include external resources not officially endorsed by the City of Palo Alto nor Palo Alto City Library.)

Resources on Statewide Offices & Ballot Propositions

• Elections 2026: Popcorn & Propositions: drop-in education event on several state ballot propositions coordinated by the Junior League of Palo Alto-Menlo Park on October 3 from 1 pm to 4 pm at Rinconada Library
• State Voter Guide (CalMatters): Nonpartisan information on candidates for statewide offices and state propositions (in English and Spanish)
• Proposition Quizzes (CalMatters): Nonpartisan quizzes to help you determine which measures match your views
• Vote411: California (League of Women Voters): Nonpartisan information on ballots, voting law, polling place, voter registration, and candidates (in English and Spanish)
• Easy Voter Guide - California (League of Women Voters of California Education Fund): Nonpartisan explanations about the November 2026 election (available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean)
• KQED Resources: Information on statewide and Bay Area elections including a voter guide and podcast episodes on state propositions
• Statewide Candidate Statements (CA Secretary of State): For various statewide offices published in state voter information guide (available in various languages)

Resources on Regional & Palo Alto Candidates & Ballot Measures

• Municipal Elections (Palo Alto City Clerk's Office): Nonpartisan information on City Council candidates, campaign statements and filings, information on Measure J, and campaign finance filings
• League of Women Voters of Santa Clara County: Nonpartisan voter information and state & local candidate forums
• League of Women Voters of Palo Alto: Nonpartisan voter information and local candidate forums (including for Palo Alto City Council, Palo Alto Unified School District, State Assembly, and Santa Clara Valley Water Board of Directors)
• Pros & Cons on Regional Transit Ballot Measure (League of Women Voters Palo Alto): Impartial analysis on the regional sales tax measure related to public transit
• Palo Alto Ballot Measure J (Palo Alto City Clerk's Office): Includes ballot measure language, impartial analysis from the City Attorney's Office, and arguments in favor and against the municipal sales tax measure related to the Cubberley Community Center
• Pros & Cons on Palo Alto Ballot Measure J (League of Women Voters Palo Alto): Impartial analysis on the municipal sales tax measure related to the Cubberley Community Center