Conditional Voter Registration
On January 1, 2017, Conditional Voter Registration (CVR) became effective in California. Under this new law, eligible voters who missed the 15 day registration deadline have the opportunity to come to the Registrar of Voters Office or any vote center between 14 days prior to Election Day and the day of the Election, and conditionally register to vote.
This process is called Conditional Voter Registration (CVR).
How the process works
If you believe you are eligible to vote, you can come to the Registrar's office or any vote center within 14 days prior to Election Day as well as on the day of the election in order to first conditionally register to vote.
- You must first complete an affidavit of registration (also known as a Voter Registration Card).
- After completing the Voter Registration Card, you will be given a CVR provisional ballot.
- CVR provisional ballots are subject to the same requirements as other provisional ballots, and will be treated and processed the same as other provisional ballots.
- Once the Registrar processes the affidavit of registration, and only if the Registrar determines the individual's eligibility to register is valid, and validates the individual's information, then the registration becomes permanent and the CVR provisional ballot will be counted.
Origin of Conditional Voter Registration (CVR)
CVR was enacted in 2012, to be operative on the January 1st after the certification of a statewide voter registration database. VoteCal, California's statewide voter registration database, was certified on September 26, 2016; CVR became operative on January 1, 2017.
While Conditional Voter Registration is now an option as a County of Santa Clara resident, you are strongly encouraged to continue to register to vote as early as possible to avoid unnecessary waiting and to receive a regular Vote by Mail ballot.
Check the status of your voter registration
CVR is found in California Elections Code sections 2170 through 2173.
