Register and Vote!

Laura Nakamura

Written by
May 26, 2022

Registering to vote - or keeping our registration updated - gives us access to one of our most fundamental rights in a democracy. California and Contra Costa County have a variety of ways to register to vote or update our registration, and it is easiest to do so online. (Use the Conditional Registration Process after Oct 23.)

Here’s some key information, and more is available on the State and County websites. 

Timing

The registration deadline is 15 days prior to Election Day (October 23rd for the 2022 General Election). But after that deadline and through Election Day you can still register and vote in person using Conditional Voter Registration. It is a one-stop opportunity to register and cast your ballot and is available at the Contra Costa County Elections office, Regional Early Voting sites, and all polling places on Election Day. You can conditionally register and cast your ballot at 

  • Contra Costa County Elections office at 555 Escobar St, Martinez, CA 94553
  • Regional Early Voting sites
  • All polling places on Election Day

Voting 

You can vote before Election Day. The Regional Early Voting sites are open Friday, Saturday, and Monday prior to Election Day. And starting in 2022, every registered voter will automatically be mailed a ballot every election. You can choose to vote in person at your polling place, return your ballot by mail, or drop it in Official Ballot Drop Boxes. The list of the drop boxes is available here, there are 2 in Concord (1950 Parkside Dr and 1900 Market St). Don’t forget to sign your mailed-in ballot! 

To vote in person, you can locate your designated polling place using the My Voting Information tool or check the back cover of the Voter Information Guide mailed to you. Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm. Remember: If your name does not appear on the roster, you have the right to cast a provisional ballot.

Here are the voting locations in District 5 in Concord:

If you vote by mail, you can track your ballot using the County’s My Voting Information tool. 

The Contra Costa County Elections office has full information on in-person voting here.

Ways to Register

The easiest way to register is online (please don’t use these after October 23rd, 2022). Here are links you can use to register or update your registration:

If you can’t register online you can print a copy of the National Mail Voter Registration Form or obtain a registration form at the following locations: 

  • County Elections Office, at 555 Escobar St, Martinez, CA 94553
  • Public libraries (Concord: 2900 Salvio St near the city offices)
  • Post Offices (Concord: at 2121 Meridian Park Blvd, 2043 East St, and 4494 Treat Blvd)
  • California DMV offices (Concord: 2070 Diamond Blvd) 

My pledge as a candidate and city council member is that I will be transparent, accountable, and open to hearing different perspectives. What do you think? Join the conversation with my campaign on Facebook and Twitter.