State and national midterm elections are fast approaching. The final day for in-person voting is Tuesday, November 8, while in-person early voting begins next Monday, October 10 and ends Monday November 7. The final date to register is Monday, October 24.

If this is your first time voting, the required paperwork is simple to fill out; the same website allows 16 and 17 year old United States citizens to pre-register to vote as well. Pre-registration automatically registers new voters once they turn 18, so while pre-registrants would not be able to vote this November, they’d be set to do so in future elections, including the 2024 presidential election.

Filling out the necessary forms can be done online or physically. If completed physically, send them to your local election office. Bear in mind that further information is necessary if you don’t have a California driver’s license. After you’ve completed the forms, you should receive a postcard confirming that your application has been reviewed and processed.

Only half of Americans aged 18 to 29 voted in the 2020 presidential election; November’s election will decide California’s governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general and California’s representatives to the national government. On a national level, the midterms will decide the balance of power between parties. 

For further questions or if you have problems registering, contact your county elections office or (800) 345-VOTE.