Election Dates
Webpage last updated: January 17, 2025
Elections
A primary election is held 11 weeks before the general election. The primary election is for the purpose of nominating party nominees to be voted for in the general election to fill a national, state, county, or district office. A general election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year.
A governor is elected every four years in a general election. A president and vice-president are elected every four years, in a year which is a multiple of four. Visit Presidential Election Year for more information about the process for becoming a presidential candidate including the Presidential Preference Primary Election.
Special elections may be called at any time during the year. Visit Special Elections for more information.
Local elections may also be held throughout the year. Check the Local Elections Database which contain dates as reported by the county for elections (county-specific, municipal, special district, or other local election) scheduled within one county. Contact your county Supervisor of Elections for the most up-to-date information.
Key Election Dates for 2026
The following are the key election dates for registration and voting for the 2026 election cycle. Visit Publications for the Elections Dates-Activities Calendar.
Primary Election 2026
- Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters: July 4, 2026
- Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters: July 9 – 16, 2026
- Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation: July 20, 2026
- Deadline to request that ballot be mailed: August 6, 2026
- Early voting period (mandatory period): August 8 – 15, 2026
(Contact Supervisor of Elections for optional days of early voting) - Election Day: August 18, 2026
General Election 2026
- Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters: September 19, 2026
- Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters: September 24 2026 – October 1, 2026
- Deadline to register to vote: October 5, 2026
- Deadline to request that ballot be mailed: October 22, 2026
- Early voting period (mandatory period): October 24 – 31, 2026
(Contact Supervisor of Elections for optional days of early voting) - Election Day: November 3, 2026
Key Election Results Reporting Timeline
Resources
- Visit Register to Vote or Update Your Information for information on voter registration and deadline to register
- Visit Vote-by-Mail and Military and Overseas Citizens Voting for information about deadlines to send a vote-by-mail ballot, to request a vote-by-mail ballot and to return vote by a mail ballot
- Visit Early Voting and Secure Ballot Intake Stations for information about mandatory and optional days of early voting and drop off for voted vote-by-mail ballots
