Facts For New Citizens

Citizens who will be at least 18 years of age at the time of the next election are eligible to register to vote. Except as noted below, registration must take place at least 15 days before the election. You must also re-register by the 15-day deadline for an election to change your address, name or political party.

After the naturalization swearing-in ceremony, you may complete the registration-by-mail form provided and mail it to the Registrar of Voters. The voter registration form must be postmarked by the 15^th day before the election. You will receive a notice of your eligiblity to vote within a few weeks after your registration is processed. You may obtain additional registration forms and general information about elections by calling the Registrar of Voters office (707) 565-6800, toll free number (800) 750-VOTE or e-mail us. The mailing address is P.O.Box 11485, Santa Rosa, California 95406-1485.

IMPORTANT: If you become citizen after the close of registration you may register and vote at the Registrar of Voters Office between the 14^th and 7^th day before an election. New citizens must present a Certificate of Naturalization dated after the close of registration. The Registrar of Voters office is located at 435 Fiscal Dr, Santa Rosa, California 95403.

California law permits you to register with a political party or to decline to state a political party. For each election in which you are eligible to vote you will be sent a sample ballot. The Sample Ballot contains information on the candidates and measures to be voted on in the election. It is recommended that you mark the sample ballot and take it to the polls to use as a reference when voting. Sonoma County also provides voting instructions, the State Ballot Pamphlet and local measures, to each polling place.

On election day the polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The address of the polling place will be printed on the sample ballot. If you need further information or directions to the polling place on election day please call (707) 565-6800 (or for the hearing impaired (707) 565-6888). Polling place information is also available at www.sonoma-county.org.

For information on how to request absentee ballots or apply for Permanent Absent Voter Status, click here for ABSENT VOTER INFORMATION, call (707) 565-6806 or e-mail us.

If you are interested in SERVING AT THE POLLS on Election Day, please write or call the Registrar of Voters office at P.O. Box 11485, Santa Rosa, CA 95406-1485; telephone (707) 565-6816 or e-mail us.