FAQs • Dublin • CivicEngage

What is a ballot pamphlet?: It is a booklet prepared by the California Secretary of State and mailed to every household with at least one registered voter. It describes every statewide measure on the ballot, with arguments for and against each one, and includes an impartial analysis of the costs and benefits of each measure.

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City Clerk - Elections

You are eligible if you meet all of the following requirements:

A U.S. citizen
At least 18 years of age by Election Day
A resident of California
Registered at least 15 days before the election, or complete the Same-Day Voter Registration process and request your ballot in person at the Alameda County Elections office or polling location.
Not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony
Not currently judged mentally incompetent by a court of law

You can register online on the Secretary of State's website. You can also fill out the short Registration by Mail form. Sign the form and mail it. It's pre-addressed, and no stamp is required. Voter registration forms are available at the Registrar of Voters Office located in the Alameda County Courthouse: 1225 Fallon Street, Room G-1 Oakland, CA 94612 Forms are also available at all offices of the Department of Motor Vehicles, all city clerks offices, public libraries, and post offices. You may also call the Registrar of Voters at (510) 267-8683 or the Secretary of State at (800) 345-VOTE and request a registration form to be mailed to you.

Check if you are registered to vote and if so, in what county.

If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can use this online registration application to pre-register to vote.

For more information on registering to vote you may want to visit the Secretary of State's Frequently Asked Questions.

3. When is the deadline for registering to vote in California?

You can register at any time, but be sure to do it at least 15 days before the first election in which you want to vote.

If you are registering or re-registering less than 15 days before an election you will need to complete the Same-Day Voter Registration process and request your ballot in person at the Alameda County Elections office or polling location.

4. Does it cost to register to vote?: No. Registration is free.

5. Am I registered to vote once I fill out and mail the registration form?

Check if you are registered to vote and if so, in what county.

Call the Alameda County Registrar of Voters Office at (510) 272-6973 and ask if you are registered. You can't be sure you are registered until you receive a voter notification card from the County and sometimes their may be delays in receiving your notification. That's why it is a good idea to save the form's stub as a receipt. Call the ROV if the notification card does not arrive within three weeks.

6. Do I ever have to re-register to vote?: You only need to re-register if you move, change your name, or want to change your political party.

7. Can my voter registration be cancelled because I fail to vote?: No.

8. Can I register for someone else?: You can only register for yourself. However, you may help others fill out a form, but they must sign the form.

9. What is a sample ballot?: Before each election, each registered voter receives a packet of information including a sample ballot which is a replica of the ballot the voter will see at the polls. It also gives the time and date of the election, and location of the polling place, and contains an application to vote by mail. The sample ballot is prepared and distributed by the election officials in each of California's 58 counties. Candidates for nonpartisan office can pay to have a statement included in the sample ballot.

10. What if I do not receive a sample ballot?: If it doesn't arrive two weeks before the election, call and request it from the Registrar of Voters Office at (510) 272-6973.

11. What is a ballot pamphlet?: It is a booklet prepared by the California Secretary of State and mailed to every household with at least one registered voter. It describes every statewide measure on the ballot, with arguments for and against each one, and includes an impartial analysis of the costs and benefits of each measure.

12. Where will I vote?

Poll locations, or Accessible Voting Locations, may change from one election to another. You may also find your polling place on the Registrar of Voters website or by calling the City Clerk's Office at (925) 833-6650.
Vote By Mail Drop Box. All voters will received a vote by mail ballot. Drop your ballot off at a 24-Hour Drop Box. There are two in the City of Dublin, one at Civic Center, 100 Civic Plaza, and the other at The Wave, 4201 Central Pkwy.

13. Where do I return a Vote by Mail ballot?

You can return it to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters Drop-Off Mailbox located in front of Dublin City Hall, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin, CA 94568.

It can also be mailed to the Registrar of Voters or delivered in person to any polling place in your county no later than 8:00 PM on election day. If illness or a physical disability prevents you from returning your ballot in person, you may designate a close relative to return the ballot to the polling place.

The Registrar of Voters Office is located in the Alameda County Courthouse at:
1225 Fallon Street, Room G-1
Oakland, CA 94612

14. Do I need identification when I go to vote?: No. You will just be asked to state your name and address and sign the roster of voters.

15. What if I make a mistake on my ballot?: You may request another ballot.

16. What types of elections are there?

There are three basic types:

Primary
General
Local

In addition, special elections can be called, which are limited to one specific purpose (e.g., filling a vacancy). The City of Dublin conducts a general election.

17. How can I find answers to other election-related questions?

For more information on registering to vote you may want to visit the Secretary of State's Frequently Asked Questions.

Contact the Registrar of Voters Office at (510) 272-6973.