Mail-in voting guaranteed in California

Last updated: September 8, 2026

In 2021, California guaranteed mail-in voting for registered voters under AB 37, which permanently required election officials to mail ballots to every active voter. In 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a far-right challenge to California’s system, affirming its legality.

2026 Update: California continues automatically mailing ballots to registered voters, but its system is now part of a broader federal dispute over mail voting. California is co-leading a multistate challenge to new U.S. Postal Service requirements that could affect how mail ballots are distributed and processed. A federal judge has blocked those requirements while litigation continues, and the Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow them to take effect before the November election.

Why it Matters

For Californians, this means mail-in ballots remain a secure, permanent feature of every election. Residents continue to benefit from multiple ways to vote, including by mail, same-day registration, automatic registration at the DMV, and youth pre-registration.

Background

California adopted temporary universal mail-in ballots during the pandemic and later made the practice permanent with AB 37. The 2025 court ruling underscored the resilience of the system against legal attacks, keeping California’s voting access among the broadest in the country.

Resources

KQED - California Adopts Vote-by-Mail System for All Future Elections
Public Policy Institute of California - Vote-by-Mail and Voter Turnout in the Pandemic Election