After all the TV and web ads, all the rallies and hype, Election Day has finally arrived.
Today is the last day to cast your ballot.
More than 81,000 mail-in ballots have already been received in San Joaquin County. If you are interested in voting in person, the county has 158 polling places. And you can still drop your mail-in ballots at any of the county’s 27 drop boxes.
Vote-by-mail ballots returned through the U.S. Postal Service must be postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 3.
If you are a true procrastinator, check out our Voter Guide to help with any last-minute decisions, including about Stockton’s local races.
▶Stockton City Council District 1: Meet the candidates here.
▶Stockton City Council District 3: Meet the candidates here.
▶Stockton City Council District 5: Meet the candidates here.
▶Stockton Unified school board: Meet the candidates here.
▶State Assembly District 9: Meet the candidates here.
▶State Assembly District 13: Meet the candidates here.
▶Congressional District 7: Meet the candidates here.
▶Congressional District 9: Meet the candidates here.
▶Congressional District 13: Meet the candidates here.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re headed to the polls today:
When do the polls open? When do they close?
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. You can still vote if you are in line when the polls are closing tonight.
Where can I find my polling place?
A complete list of 158 voting locations can be found on the county Registrar of Voters’ website. One unique venue is at a local funeral home.
Can I still vote by mail instead of in person?
Mail-in ballots may still be used, but they must carry a postmark dated no later than Nov. 3, 2026.
Can I drop off my ballot?
San Joaquin County has 27 locations for ballot drop boxes, and a list can be found on the registrar’s website. Like in-person voting, drop boxes close at 8 p.m.
Are drop boxes secure?
In August, the county Board of Supervisors ordered 24-hour camera surveillance of all ballot drop boxes to allay fears of mischief or fraud.
Are there drive-thru locations?
Voters can take part in “Drive Up Democracy,” as the county calls it. An election official will be posted all day in front of the county administrative building, 44 N. San Joaquin St. You can hand the worker your ballot from your car and watch it be placed in the ballot box.
I am not registered to vote. Is it too late?
You can register conditionally Tuesday at the registrar’s office. You need to be a mentally competent U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old and not incarcerated.
You will be given a “provisional ballot” — the provision being that your ballot will be treated separately. Once your eligibility to vote is confirmed, your ballot will be counted.
How do I know if my mail-in ballot was received?
You can track it online at a Secretary of State’s office. You also can check the website to make sure your vote was counted.
Can I observe counting of the ballots?
San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters Olivia Hale says ballots are kept under constant camera surveillance, but people are welcome to observe the count. It’s going to be conducted at the warehouse at 7585 S. Longe St., Suite 112, in Stockton.
There are strict rules, however, about conduct and areas where observers are allowed.
What if I see something suspicious?
The California Secretary of State’s office maintains a voter hotline at (800) 345-8683.
Where — and when — can I find election results?
Check Stocktonia for coverage. We’ll be monitoring key local races and reporting results as they come in, beginning Tuesday evening.
Our coverage will continue Wednesday and beyond as results are updated.
Keep in mind, not all races will be decided by election night. In 2024, it took a month for all of the votes to be finalized and the county to certify the results.