With ballots coming to mailboxes soon for California’s Primary Election on June 2, 2026, voters need to understand how to vote! It’s a simple process that can quickly become complicated. Dates, times and confusing wording can make the voting process seem impossible. To start, here are important dates to keep in mind before you get your ballot:
May 18: This is the last day to register online. If you miss this date, you can fill out same-day voter registration and get a ballot in person at your county’s election office or polling place.
May 23: Early in-person polling places open in specific Voter’s Choice counties. Tulare county voters can disregard this date.
May 26: The last day to request a ballot by mail. Voters must be registered to their specific county, submit the request in their own handwriting and submit it to the Registrar of Voters office before 5 p.m..
June 2: The day of the Primary Election, last day to vote by mail and to vote in-person.
Voters’ options to vote in this Primary Election are the same as past elections. Voters may choose to vote either in-person at their county’s polling locations or with a mail-in ballot. If you choose to mail-in your ballot, no postage is necessary.
Voting by Mail:
To vote by mail, voters must make sure to mark their ballot using blue or black ink and fill-in the oval voting target next to either the candidates name or yes or no next to the proposed measure. Reading through each measure carefully is a necessity as the wording can be difficult. Keeping a laptop or phone to research specific measures is not mandatory, but sure is handy!
After thoroughly looking through and voting, review your ballot to make sure there are no mistakes. If you make a mistake, no problem. Voters can either request a new ballot or correct their original. To request a new ballot, voters in Tulare county can call 839-2100 or they can pick up one by bringing in the mismarked ballot to the Registrar of Voters office. Voters then can choose to mail it in via a drop box, in-person at a polling place or your mailbox.
Here are some drop boxes that are currently available in Visalia:
Courthouse Rose Garden (East Parking Lot)
221 S. Mooney Blvd. Visalia, CA 93291
Government Plaza
5952 S. Mooney Blvd. Visalia, CA 93277
Tulare/Akers Professional Center
5300 W. Tulare Ave. Visalia, CA 93277
Visalia Library
200 W. Oak Ave. Visalia, CA 93291
Voting in-person:
For in-person voters, your day might look slightly different. First, voters will check-in with a Check-In Clerk with their first name and address. After that, voting will go on the same as a mail-in ballot. You’ll cast your votes with blue or black in, review your ballot and then cast the ballot at the voting place. You’ll even receive a special “I Voted” sticker to celebrate your voting experience.
To locate your nearest polling place, check out Tulare county’s elections app locator to find your specific polling place.
After voting, voters will typically receive a confirmation of their vote via email after their vote has been counted.
There you have it, a simple and easy go-to guide to voting. Voting should not be a stressful and frustrating process, it should be accessible to all. If you have further questions about the voting process, be sure to check out these resources below. Happy voting!
Voter Status: Check whether or not your registered.
Voter Registration: Register to vote online here.
Where’s My Ballot: Check where your ballot is currently via BallotTrax.
