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Qualifications to Vote
In order to qualify as a registered voter in San Francisco:
- You must be a citizen of the United States
- You must be a resident of San Francisco
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older on or before the next election
- You must NOT be in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony
- You must not have been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent to register and vote
New Voter Registration ID Requirements
Federal and state law now requires that EVERY person who registers or re-registers to vote MUST provide the following identification:
- A California Driver's License (or California Identification card) number on your registration form; or
- The last 4 digits of your Social Security Number on your registration form.
- If you do not have a California Driver's License, or California Identification card number or, a social security number, a unique identifying number will be assigned to you for registration purposes only.
Note: The Secretary of State’s office must validate the registrant’s identification number or last four digits of their Social Security number in order for the Department of Elections to place the registrant on the active voter roll.
How and Where to Register
You will need to register whenever you move, change your name, or change your political party affiliation.
There are serveral convenient ways to register or re-register:
- Register by Mail
You may call our office at (415) 554-4411 or email us at sfvote@sfgov.org and we will mail a voter registration card to you.Complete all required sections of the Voter Registration Card:
- Fill out the Voter Registration Card using a dark ink pen
- Use your legal name
- If you live in an apartment, fill in the apartment number
- Date of birth
- Sign the Voter Registration Card before mailing
Note: Provide a residential mailing address--NOT a business address
- Register On-line
You may also download a registation card online at the California Secretary of State's Web site. - Register in Person
You may pick up a voter registration card at the Department of Elections, local public library branches, some City and County offices, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and U.S. Postal Service stations.
If you need further assistance completing the voter registration card, please call the Department of Elections at (415) 554-4411.
Please note: Information on your voter registration affidavit will be used by elections officials to send you official information on the voting process, such as the location of your polling place and the issues and candidates that will appear on the ballot. Commercial use of voter registration information is prohibited by law and is a misdemeanor. Voter information may be provided to a candidate for office, a ballot measure committee, or other person for election,scholarly, journalistic, political, or governmental purposes, as determined by the Secretary of State. Driver's license and social security numbers, or your signature as shown on your voter registration card, cannot be released for these purposes. If you have any questions about the use of voter information or wish to report suspected misuse of such information, please call the Secretary of State's Voter Protection and Assistance Hotline.
Certain voters facing life-threatening situations may qualify for confidential voter status. For more information, please contact the Secretary of State's Safe At Home program or visit the Secretary of State's Web site at www.ss.ca.gov.
Deadline to Register
To be eligible to vote in an upcoming election, a completed voter registration card must be postmarked no later that 15 days before Election Day.
Verifying Registration Status
After processing your registration form, the Department of Elections will mail a Voter Notification Card within three to four weeks. If you have NOT received a Voter Notification Card or wish to check your voting status, call the Department of Elections at (415) 554-4375.
To obtain proof of voter registration, you may also request a Certificate of Registration by mail or in person.
Voter Registration Drive
Any individual, group or organization requesting 25 or more voter registration cards must complete and submit a Voter Registration Cards Statement of Distribution Form (PDF) to the Department of Elections.
The Voter Registration Cards Statement of Distribution Form can be faxed to (415) 554-4372 or mailed to:
San Francisco Department of Elections
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl., Rm 48
San Francisco, CA 94102
Obtaining Proof of Voter Registration
A Certificate of Registration verifies "active" voter registration within the City and County of San Francisco. There is a $3.00 fee, payable by cash or money order (Personal checks and credit cards are not accepted).
To request a Certificate of Registration In-Person:
Please go to the Department of Elections, City Hall, Room 48 (Ground Floor), Monday thru Friday, 8a.m.-5a.m. You will need to provide valid photo identification.
To request a Certificate of Registration by Mail:
Your written request must include:
- Your printed name
- Date of birth
- Photocopy of valid California State Driver's Licence or Identification Card
- San Francisco registered address
- Your signature
- Telephone number
- Self-addressed stamped envelope
- Money order payable to the Department of Elections in the amount of $3.00
If you have any questions, you may call (415) 554-4375.
Mail your written request and money order to:
Department of Elections
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 48
San Francisco, CA 94102-4634
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