How To Cast Your Vote in 2021

This year, SoCal residents will have an opportunity to create a safer, just, and thriving community by voting their values in a number of special elections.

Below we’ve included information on your voting options in upcoming special elections in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties. Be sure to check back for updates. You can find a list of all 2021 elections here.

Voters will cast their vote on March 2 for California’s 30th Senate District (SD-30) representative. Senate District 30 includes Culver City, Ladera Heights, and Westmont and the Crenshaw, Downtown, and Florence neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

Your state senator represents you and your community in Sacramento. Every year, the California Legislature works on important legislation that either advances our civil liberties or holds us back. State senators serve four-year terms, but the representative elected for SD-30 will be filling a vacancy that expires in 2022.

Your Voting Options

Los Angeles is a Voter’s Choice Act County. This means you have a number of options to cast your ballot.

• Cast your vote-by-mail ballot. On February 1, county elections officials mailed every registered voter in SD-30 a vote-by-mail ballot. You can return a completed vote-by-mail ballot on or before Election Day by:
  • Mailing it to your local elections office. Mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, March 2, 2021. There is no postage required to return a vote-by-mail ballot.
  • Dropping it off at your local elections office or at any ballot drop box or vote center.
  • Vote-by-mail is a safe and secure option. Remember to sign your vote-by-mail envelope. You can track your vote-by-mail ballot to make sure it’s counted.
• Vote in-person. You can vote in person at the election’s office or at any vote center in the County. If you need to or prefer to vote in person, the County has provided safety guidance relating to COVID-19.
  • Vote Center. You can vote in person, drop off your ballot, get a replacement ballot, vote using an accessible machine, get assistance in multiple languages, and register to vote at any vote center. Some vote centers will be available for early voting beginning February 20, and the rest will be available beginning February 27. Vote centers will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the early voting period. On Election Day, vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • County Elections Office. You can vote early or on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A list of vote center and ballot drop-box locations will be sent to you in election materials and is also available here.

Voters will cast their vote on March 9 for the County’s Second Supervisorial District representative. The Second District covers the cities of Costa Mesa, Cypress, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Stanton, the unincorporated area of Rossmoor, and portions of Buena Park and Fountain Valley.

Your county supervisor represents you and your community in the County Board of Supervisors. The Board oversees the management of the County government and adopts ordinances and resolutions that can either advance our civil liberties or holds us back. Supervisors serve four-year terms, but the representative elected for the Second District will be filling a vacancy that expires in 2022.

Your Voting Options

Orange County is a Voter’s Choice Act County. This means you have a number of options to cast your ballot.

• Cast your vote-by-mail ballot. On February 8, county elections officials started mailing every registered voter in the Second Supervisorial District a vote-by-mail ballot. You can return a completed vote-by-mail ballot on or before Election Day by:
  • Mailing it to your local elections office. Mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, March 9, 2021. There is no postage required to return a vote-by-mail ballot.
  • Dropping it off at your local elections office or at any ballot drop box or vote center.
  • Vote-by-mail is a safe and secure option. Remember to sign your vote-by-mail envelope. You can track your vote-by-mail ballot to make sure it’s counted.
• Vote in-person. You can vote in person at the election’s office or at any vote center in the County.
  • Vote Center. You can vote in person, drop off your ballot, get a replacement ballot, vote using an accessible machine, get assistance in multiple languages, and register to vote at any vote center. Some vote centers will be available for early voting beginning February 27, and the rest will be available beginning March 6. Vote centers will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. between February 27 and March 5, and will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. between March 6 and March 8. On Election Day, vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • County Elections Office. You can vote early or on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A list of vote center and ballot drop-box locations will be sent to you in election materials and is also available here.

Voters will cast their vote on June 8 for Wards 2, 4, and 6 of the City of Riverside City Council. Click here to locate your ward.

Your councilmember represents you and your community in the City Council. The Council adopts ordinances and resolutions that can either advance our civil liberties or holds us back. Councilmembers generally serve four-year terms, but councilmembers elected this year will serve for five-year terms.

Your Voting Options

Because of the pandemic, the City will be conducting an all-mail election. This means that the City will not make any polling places available. Check back here for updates on your voting options. In the meantime, you can check your registration to ensure your current address is listed or to select language or accessibility preference options. You can track your vote-by-mail ballot to make sure it’s counted.