This fall, more Sacramento residents will register to vote than in the past few years, mostly due to the fact this year’s election includes a presidential vote. Many have political opinions and are eager to voice them but do not know the basics of voting in Sacramento. Perhaps you are new to the area, or you have never taken an interest before. Maybe you just recently turned 18 years old, or you’re a mature adult looking to make a difference once again by returning to the ballots.


Whatever the reason, Sacramento’s votes count – make sure you’re ready to have your voice be heard.

Sacramento Voter Registration

Registering to vote is the first step toward seeing your opinion count. In Sacramento, voting is easier than ever before thanks to a new online voter registration app that was developed this year by the California Secretary of State and a few other important organizations. You can register on your smart phone or mobile tablet, as well as through a desktop computer with an internet connection. The online voter registration page is found on the Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections page.

Sacramento Voter Information

If you’re like many busy Americans, you may not know anything about the upcoming election other than the names of presidential candidates. However, city elections are just as important. You may not be aware of who is in your local public offices until you realize you have an inadequate individual serving a position. Instead of finding this out – vote!

All local candidates can be found online. You can also research the names of candidates currently serving Sacramento.

Voting in 2012 Election

Sacramento residents have a choice when it comes to receiving that sample ballot booklet. You can complete a form online to opt out of receiving a booklet in the mail, and instead access it via the Internet. You can also do nothing and continue to receive one via snail mail. The choice is great news for those who love finding new ways to “go green.”

Those who are registered to vote but have not voted within the past four years may be converted to an inactive status. Or, their registration may be cancelled altogether. For this reason, Sacramento county voters will be reviewed and updated every two years. This can be carried out through a computerized comparison of change-of-address files on record with the US Postal Service, or by mailing a postcard to each registered voter before the primary election. This will ask them to verify the identities of any registered voters at the address reached. Failure to return that postcard may result in your household becoming inactive or canceled registrants.

Prior to cancelation, you will likely receive a notice asking you to confirm your address within two weeks, require you to prove your residence if you wish to continue on as a registered voter, or ask you to re-register if you have moved out of Sacramento County. Your record is then adjusted accordingly.

Where to Vote in Sacramento

Knowing where to vote in Sacramento County is obviously important. There is not yet an option in the United States to vote virtually. We still must all physically go to a polling place and manually complete our ballot. Even the term “polling place” sounds a bit archaic, but until the rules change, there are plenty of physical locations that are convenient for anyone.

A new Polling Place Map app is available for smartphones and mobile tablets. You must open the site on your mobile device for it to work correctly. You may find a complete list of polling places in your region by checking About.com Sacramento 30 days prior to the 2012 Presidential Election.