What time do polls open and close on Election Day in California? Here's what you should know

For voters planning to cast their ballot in person for the 2024 presidential election, here's when polls will open and close in California.

What time do polls open in California on Election Day?

Polling places and vote centers in California must open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5th. Voters present at the opening should hear poll workers loudly announce that “the polls are open.”

According to the Secretary of State, ballots cannot be cast until the announcement has been made.

Polling stations must remain open until 8 p.m.

When do polls close on Election Day in California?

Similar to the opening time, anyone who is at the polls at 8 p.m. will hear poll workers announce that “the polls are closed,” according to the California Secretary of State's office.

When the center closes at 8:00 p.m., a poll worker will be at the end of the line to inform everyone in attendance that the center is closed.

However, anyone who registered before 8 p.m. still has the opportunity to cast their vote.

Are there any exceptions to polling place hours in California?

The set operating hours for polling stations are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., but the closing time could be extended by a court order.

Voters who cast their vote during an extended hour specified by a court order must cast their vote using a provisional ballot.

These ballots will also be kept separate from other provisional ballots submitted before 8:00 p.m