SLO County Elections Celebrates National Voter Registration Day

Author: Erin Clausen
Date: 9/10/2025 1:50 PM

Local officials encourage residents to join in the celebration of this nonpartisan civic holiday by registering to vote or making sure that their registration is up-to-date. They also offer resources for nonpartisan organizations who want to hold a voter registration drive.

Since its founding in 2012, the civic holiday has served as the largest nonpartisan day of action nationally and has helped over 6 million Americans register to vote. Locally, it also serves as a reminder that voters in California must re-register in the event of a change in name, address, or political party affiliation.

Registering in California takes just a few minutes and can be done through the Secretary of State's website at RegisterToVote.ca.gov. Voters who want to check the current status of their registration can head to MyVoterStatus.sos.ca.gov.

Whether registering for the first time or updating their registration after a move, the Elections Office says that it is important for voters to take care of it now.

"The registration deadline for the upcoming special election is October 20," said Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano. "After that, anyone who needs to register must do it in person at the Elections Office or a polling place. So National Voter Registration Day falls at a great time and reminds SLO County voters that it's a smart move to take care of it now."

If your organization is interested in holding a voter registration drive or event, the Elections Office has resources and is happy to lend support to all nonpartisan registration efforts.

"We'd love it if every eligible SLO County resident registered to vote and then turned out in each election," said Cano, who stressed that her office does not worry about how you vote but rather that you vote.

Ballots and voter information guides for the November 4, 2025, Statewide Special Election will be mailed to all registered voters by October 6. For information about this election, visit SloVote.com/November2025.