Know Your Rights While Voting
What Are My Rights on Election Day?
• You have the right to vote if you are a registered voter.
• You have the right to cast a secret ballot without anyone bothering you or telling you how to vote. It is illegal to “intimidate, threaten, [or] coerce … any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of [that] other person to vote or to vote as he may choose.”
• You have the right to vote if you are in line by 8 p.m. on Election Day. If the polls close while you’re still in line, stay in line.
• You have the right to a new ballot if you make a mistake. if you have not already cast your ballot. You can:
Ask an elections official at the polling place for a new ballot if you are voting in person.
Exchange your ballot at an elections office or at your polling place if you are voting-by-mail.
Vote using a provisional ballot.
Click here for more information on taking time off from work to vote.
Can I Take Time Off to Vote?
California law allows workers to take time off with pay to cast their ballot on Election Day if they do not have sufficient time outside of their normal working hours. The polls are open from 7 a.m.–8 p.m. on Nov.5. If you are scheduled to work during that entire time, your employer must allow you to use up to 2 hours of PTO at the beginning or end of your shift, so that you can vote.
Click here for more information on taking time off from work to vote.
Can I Bring Someone To Help Me Vote In-Person?
Under federal law, voters with disabilities and voters who have difficulty reading or writing English have the right to receive in-person help at the polls from the person of their choice.
You have the right to bring up to two people you choose to assist you in casting your ballot. The individuals assisting the voter may not be the voter’s employer, an agent of their employer, or a union representative.
Additionally, Election officials, including poll workers, must make reasonable accommodations as needed to help you vote. Election officials must provide you with help if it’s possible for them to do so.
What if the Poll Worker Says My Name Is Not on the List of Registered Voters?
Voters are entitled to a provisional ballot, even if they aren’t in the poll book. Your ballot will be counted after election officials have confirmed you are qualified to vote and registered.
If the poll worker says your name is not on the list of registered voters:
• Ask the poll worker to double-check for your name on the list of registered voters. Make sure to spell your name out for the poll worker.
• Confirm that you are at the correct polling place. If you are registered at a different location, in most instances you will have to travel to that location to cast a regular ballot.
CAIR Los Angeles
