Voter Help

Start with the problem in front of you.

Choose what is happening and we will show you the clearest next step, the right official resource, and when to call for nonpartisan assistance.

805 EPIC provides nonpartisan information and connections to trusted help. We are not a county elections office and do not replace legal advice.

Live Election Context

What matters right now.

This pulls the current priority from Election Center so Voter Help stays aligned with the election calendar without maintaining a second set of dates here.

Voter Help Navigator

Do you need help right now?

Start here. Your choice will show the fastest path without making you search through the entire page.

1 · Urgency 2 · What happened 3 · Local help
Immediate voter help

Stay where you can safely continue voting and get assistance now.

Call or text Election Protection for nonpartisan help. If the issue involves intimidation, interference, being turned away, or another active problem, use the guided problem selector below too.

Guided help

What is happening?

Select the situation that comes closest. The guidance will update without sending you through a long directory.

Registration help

Check your status, then correct or complete your registration.

Your county elections office maintains your voter record. Begin with the official status lookup, and call if the record is missing or appears incorrect.

  1. Use California's official My Voter Status tool to check your registration record.
  2. If you need to register or update your address, use California's official registration service.
  3. If the regular deadline has passed, ask the county about conditional voter registration and same-day voting.
  4. Call 866-OUR-VOTE if you are unsure what the record means or encounter a barrier.

Official election records and final eligibility decisions are handled by election officials.

California voter rights

A problem does not automatically end your right to vote.

California's Voter Bill of Rights includes practical protections that matter when something goes wrong at a polling place.

Open Know Your Rights
Not on the list?

A registered voter whose name is not on the list may vote using a provisional ballot, subject to eligibility verification.

Still in line?

If you are in line when the polls close, you have the right to vote.

Made a mistake?

You may ask for a new ballot if you have not already cast your ballot.

Need assistance?

You may ask election officials for help and may receive voting assistance as allowed by law.

Local election help

Choose your county.

Select your county to see the official elections office contact without searching through a directory.

Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County Elections

Official help with voter registration, vote-by-mail ballots, polling places, ballot status, election materials, and local election administration.

Trusted contacts

Choose the right kind of help.

The Election Protection hotline can help you navigate a problem. Your county elections office handles voter records, ballots, voting locations, election materials, and official local election administration.

Nonpartisan problem-solving

Election Protection

866-OUR-VOTE

Call or text a trained volunteer for voting questions, barriers, intimidation, access concerns, or help identifying your next step.

Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County Elections

800-SBC-VOTE

Official help with registration, vote-by-mail ballots, polling places, ballot status, election materials, and Santa Barbara County election administration.

Ventura County

Ventura County Elections

805-654-2664

Official help with registration, vote-by-mail ballots, voting locations, ballot status, election materials, and Ventura County election administration.

San Luis Obispo County

SLO County Elections

805-781-5228

Official help with registration, vote-by-mail ballots, polling places, ballot status, election materials, and San Luis Obispo County election administration.

State information and reports

California Secretary of State

800-345-VOTE

Use the state hotline for statewide voting information, multilingual help, voter-status resources, or to report suspected election fraud or misconduct.

Language access

Choose the language help that works for you.

Election Protection provides nonpartisan voter assistance through several language hotlines. California also provides statewide voter assistance in multiple languages.

English voter help

Election Protection

866-OUR-VOTE

Call or text 866-687-8683 for nonpartisan voting information and help with voting problems.

Learn Before You Need Help

Practice the response before Election Day.

The Know Your Rights Learning Center now includes situation practice, a 3-minute orientation, “Can They Do That?” checks, and a personal Rights Wallet.

Before reporting a problem

Record what happened without putting yourself at risk.

Clear details can help trained volunteers and election officials understand the problem. Do not confront anyone or interfere with voting operations.

01 Time and location

Note when and where the issue occurred, including the polling place or drop box.

02 What happened

Describe what you saw or experienced in clear, neutral language.

03 Who was involved

Record names, roles, badges, vehicles, or identifying details only when safe and lawful.

04 Immediate impact

Explain whether someone was delayed, turned away, threatened, unable to access help, or prevented from voting.

Still unsure?

You do not have to diagnose the problem alone.

Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE. A trained nonpartisan volunteer can listen, ask questions, and help identify the right next step.