California Secretary of State urges voters to vote early in November election

Shirley Weber addresses voter registration, election security and concerns about ICE agents at polling places.

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As Californians prepare to vote in the November 3 general election, Secretary of State Shirley Weber urged voters to cast their ballots early and not allow concerns about election security or possible voter intimidation to keep them from voting.

During an American Community Media news briefing on October 8, 2026, held in partnership with the California Secretary of State's Office, Weber answered questions from journalists about voter registration, mail-in ballots, election security and federal efforts to change California's voting procedures.

Weber said that California's voting system remains in place despite challenges from the federal government. Every registered voter in the state receives a ballot by mail and can return it through the U.S. Postal Service, an official ballot drop box or a designated voting location.

She encouraged voters to return their ballots as early as possible rather than waiting until Election Day.

"We say the same thing over and over: vote by mail, vote in person. Vote at the ballot boxes. But the bottom line is, we say to you, vote," Weber said.

Voters can still register after October 19

The deadline for regular voter registration in California is Monday, October 19. However, Weber emphasized that eligible residents who miss that deadline can still register and vote through the state's same-day voter registration process.

Voters who register after the deadline may cast a provisional ballot. Election officials will verify their eligibility and confirm that they have not already voted before counting their ballots.

Weber also reminded residents that people who have completed prison sentences for felony convictions are eligible to vote in California, provided they meet the state's other voting requirements.

Concerns about ICE agents at polling places

One of the concerns raised during the briefing involved the possible presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at polling places.

When asked whether ICE agents or other law enforcement officials would be present at voting locations, Weber said there had been reports about possible enforcement activities, but her office had received assurances that ICE agents would not be stationed at polling places.

"We hope that there will not be any," Weber said.

She explained that California has adopted additional measures to protect voters from intimidation and interference at polling places.

For naturalized citizens and others who might be concerned about entering a polling place, Weber recommended using official ballot drop boxes.

She described the boxes as secure and convenient, allowing voters to return their ballots without having to enter a voting center.

Weber also made it clear that voter intimidation is against the law. She said election workers have been trained to respond to harassment and interference and that voters should immediately report any problems.

Federal challenges to California's voting system

Weber also discussed the federal government's efforts to obtain California's voter registration records and raised concerns about attempts to interfere with the state's election procedures.

She said California had refused to provide the federal government with voters' personal information, including Social Security numbers, and had successfully challenged an earlier request in court.

"We refused to, went to court and won the case," Weber said.

The dispute continued after the briefing.

On October 13, the U.S. Department of Justice gave California officials 48 hours to check the citizenship status of voters whose names appeared on a federal list of possible noncitizens.

Federal officials also provided Los Angeles County election officials with a list of names and requested that ballots from voters whose citizenship could not be verified be set aside.

On October 15, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against California and Los Angeles County, claiming that more than 20,000 people on California's voter rolls might not be U.S. citizens.

The lawsuit seeks to prevent ballots from those voters from being counted until their citizenship status can be verified.

California officials questioned the accuracy of the federal government's information and expressed concern about the timing of the request, which came less than three weeks before the November 3 general election.

Weber maintained that California already has procedures to verify voter eligibility and remove ineligible voters from its registration rolls.

She also rejected claims of widespread voter fraud in California, saying there was no evidence to support such allegations.

Weber encouraged Californians to have confidence in the state's election system and to exercise their right to vote.

Every vote makes a difference

Throughout the briefing, Weber returned to the importance of voting, particularly among young people and residents who feel disconnected from government.

She expressed concern that some people choose not to vote because they believe their participation will not make a difference.

Weber said that voting is one of the most important ways residents can influence decisions about education, housing, public services and other issues affecting their communities.

"That simply because you don't vote doesn't mean you don't have a voice. That means you've given your voice to someone else," she said.

Weber also spoke about her family's experience with voting rights and the generations of African Americans who were denied the opportunity to vote before passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

She said those struggles should remind people of the importance of exercising a right that others fought so hard to obtain.

Help is available for voters

Weber reminded voters that assistance is available for people who have questions about registration, voting procedures or ballot security.

California provides statewide election information in English and nine additional languages. County election offices also offer assistance in other languages.

Older residents, including those living in assisted living facilities, can contact their county elections office or the Secretary of State's Office if they need help voting.

Weber encouraged voters to make a plan, learn about their voting options and seek assistance if they encounter problems.

Above all, she urged Californians not to let fear, uncertainty or misinformation prevent them from participating in the election.

"Don't let anybody take your voice, misuse your voice, or keep you from exercising your right to have the kind of California that you want," Weber said.

For more information about voter registration, ballot drop-off locations and voting assistance, visit the California Secretary of State's website at www.sos.ca.gov.