Elections 2025: Voter Resources

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Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Below is information on voter registration, how and where to vote, important deadlines, and resources to be an informed voter.

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 20, 2025. Conditional voter registration is available at Vote Centers up to and including on Election Day.
  • You must re-register to vote if you change your residence or mailing address, change your legal name, and/or want to change your political party at least 15 days before an election.

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 within Santa Clara County.

  • Ballots Mailed: Ballots are mailed to all registered voters beginning Monday, October 6, 2025.
  • Replacement Ballot: If you lose or destroy your original vote-by-mail ballot, you may request a replacement through the Registrar of Voters, opens a new window before Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
  • 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 November 4, 2025, and ballots must be received by November 12, 2025. 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:

  • Vote in-person: Bring your vote-by-mail ballot with you to exchange it for an in-person ballot. If you do not bring your vote-by-mail ballot, you may be given a provisional ballot which will be counted once the County Registrar of Voters confirms that you have not already voted.
  • Drop off your vote-by-mail 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

There are three vote centers in Palo Alto for the November 2025 Election. The vote center at the Ventura Community Center opens 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): November 1 - November 3, from 9 am to 5 pm, and on November 4, from 7 am - 8 pm
  • Palo Alto Buddhist Temple (Issei Hall, 2751 Louis Road): November 1 - November 3, from 9 am to 5 pm, and on November 4, from 7 am - 8 pm
  • Ventura Community Center (Activity Center, 3900 Ventura Court): October 25 – November 3, from 9 am – 5 pm, and on November 4, from 7 am – 8 pm
  • On Election Day, November 4, 2025: All vote centers in the County and Registrar of Voters office (1555 Berger Drive, San Jose, CA) are open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. 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.

Ballot drop box outside Mitchell Park Library
Ballot drop box outside Mitchell Park Library
Ballot drop box outside Rinconada Library
Ballot drop box outside Rinconada Library

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 4, 2025 (Election Day).

Ballot Drop Box Locations in Palo Alto

  • 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

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

Important Dates

  • October 6, 2025: Ballots mailed to all registered voters. Early voting begins at the Registrar of Voters office, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm 
  • October 20, 2025: Last day to register to vote
  • October 25, 2025: 11-day vote centers open
  • October 28, 2025: Last day to request a replacement vote-by-mail ballot
  • November 1, 2025: 4-day vote centers open
  • November 4, 2025 — Election Day: All vote centers open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

State & County Voter Resources

For questions or additional resources, contact the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters (866-430-VOTE (8683)) or the California Secretary of State's Elections Division (800-345-VOTE (8683)).

Be an Informed Voter

The following are nonpartisan resources about November 2025 races and ballot measures. (Note: These are external resources not officially endorsed by the City of Palo Alto nor Palo Alto City Library.)

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