November 2024 election—voter registration and voting basics

Hayward and Alameda County election officials want local residents to know that Monday, Oct. 21, is the last day to register to vote in the upcoming Nov. 5 presidential and municipal election.

To be eligible to register to vote in California, one must be a U.S. citizen, a California resident and 18 years of age or older on Election Day-and may not be serving prison term for a felony conviction or have been found incompetent to vote by a court of law.

Online registration is available at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration. Hard copies of voter registration forms are available at the Hayward City Clerk's Office or Hayward downtown public library. People who are eligible to register but miss the Oct. 21 deadline can register conditionally at the Alameda County Register of Voters (ROV) or at any Voting Center.

Every active registered voter in California will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the Nov. 5 election beginning Oct. 7. Registered voters also are sent separately state and county Voter Information Guides with details about candidates and measures appearing on the ballot.

To vote by mail, voted ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Alternatively, voted ballots can be dropped off at the Alameda County ROV or at a local Vote Center before 8 p.m. on Election Day, or in a secure, official 24-hour drop box before 8 p.m. on Election Day. There will be seven secure, official 24-hour drop box locations in Hayward at:

• Hayward City Hall
• Cal State University East Bay
• Chabot College
• Hayward Hall of Justice
• Cherryland Park
• San Felipe Community Park
• Weekes Community Center

In-person voting also is available at one of nine Vote Centers in Hayward, or at any Vote Center in Alameda County. In Hayward, Vote Centers will be established at the following locations:

• Chabot College Student Center, starting Oct. 26
• Fairway Park Baptist Church, starting Nov. 2
• Cal State University East Bay, starting Nov. 2
• Palma Ceia Baptist Church, starting Nov. 2
• Weekes Community Center, starting Nov. 2
• Downtown Hayward Public Library starting Nov. 2
• Fairview Elementary School, starting Nov. 2
• St. Clements Church, starting Nov. 2
• Alameda County Office Building, starting Nov. 2

Vote Center hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday, Nov. 4. On Election Day, Nov. 5, Vote Centers will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters who wish to vote in person should be prepared to first surrender their vote-by-mail ballot and ballot envelope prior to voting.

At Voting Centers, registered voters also can change their name, address or political party on their voter profile; receive a replacement vote-by-mail envelope; or receive language assistance or other assistance completing their ballot.