 |
Do Voters Have to Prove Citizenship?
We know voters have questions about elections and voting, and the Orange County Registrar of Voters (ROV) is committed to providing clear, accurate information every time. Today, we’re sharing the following Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) –
Current Federal and California law requires persons registering to vote to attest and sign a voter registration affidavit under penalty of perjury that they are a United States citizen. Current Federal and California law do not require a person to provide documentary proof of citizenship. ROV complies with these laws, only registering voters who have certified under penalty of perjury that they are a citizen. California law also says a voter’s self-attestation is proof for voting purposes that the voter is a citizen. ROV is not authorized to separately verify. But, if we receive an allegation that a voter is not a citizen, we will refer it to the OC District Attorney and/or the Secretary of State to investigate. In addition, ROV complies with the U.S. Help America Vote Act, which requires individuals registering to vote for the first time to provide either a valid California driver's license or state ID card number. Applicants who do not have either can provide the last four digits of their Social Security number. The number of the voter’s California Driver’s License or Identification Card and the voter’s name and date of birth must match the information for the voter on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles. State law further prohibits the Department of Motor Vehicles from sending undocumented driver license applicants’ information to the Secretary of State for voter registration purposes. Willfully lying about one’s eligibility to vote on a registration affidavit is a felony in California, carrying a penalty of up to three years in county jail. ROV also regularly compares voter roll information to databases maintained by third parties such as consumer credit reporting agencies, reviews voter registration files for potentially duplicate records, and encourages voters to re-register when we notice a change in their signatures. Learn more about our voter list maintenance efforts at ocvote.gov/list-maintenance. Neal Kelley Registrar of Voters |
| Current Tweet ROV offices will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 12 in observance of Lincoln’s Birthday... |
|
 |
|
| Physical Accessibility Features at Vote Centers and Ballot Drop Boxes ROV takes every step necessary to ensure all voting locations meet accessibility requirements and provide a positive voting experience. This includes completing onsite accessibility surveys of all Vote Centers, Ballot Drop Boxes, and Pop-Up Voting locations that will be open during the 2026 Statewide Direct Primary Election. Surveying teams assess each voting location, taking detailed measurements of paths, ramps, accessible parking spaces, and voting rooms to ensure they are accessible and free of hazards. If surveyors identify any issues, Vote Centers may be provided with temporary measures to enhance accessibility such as threshold ramps, cones to identify hazards, and mats to cover tripping hazards. Most facilities also leave doors propped open to allow for easy, unencumbered access. ROV strives to provide all voters with the opportunity to vote privately and independently. Visit ocvote.gov/accessibility to learn more about our accessibility features. |
 |
|
| Vote Centers Have New Hours Starting on Saturday, May 23 through Monday, June 1, Vote Centers will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Election Day, Tuesday, June 2, Vote Centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. What can you do at a Vote Center?
Remember, you don’t have to wait until Election Day to cast your Vote-By-Mail ballot. Early voting opens on May 4. |
 |
|
| How to Vote You’ve got options! Orange County voters can choose to cast their ballots by mail, at a Ballot Drop Box, or at Vote Center. For more information about your ballot return options, visit ocvote.gov/options. ROV is actively working to secure Vote Center locations for the 2026 Statewide Direct Primary Election, with approximately 127 sites having confirmed their availabilty. By the end of April, you will be able to find a Vote Center location convenient for you by visiting ocvote.gov/elections/vote-center-locations. |
 |
|
| Registering to Vote You may also use a paper Voter Registration form, available at the ROV office, 1300 S. Grand Ave., Bldg. C, in Santa Ana, or at public libraries, city and county offices, California Department of Motor Vehicles offices, and at U.S. Post Offices. The last day to register to vote for this election is May 18, but you’re encouraged to update your registration by April 3 to ensure your ballot is mailed to the correct address. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| F O L L O W U S | ||||
 |
 |
|||
| S H A R E N E W S L E T T E R | ||||
1,905,072
 |