Dear County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and Middle and High School Principals:

2026 California Student Mock Election:
Register Your School Today!

The 2026 General Election is approaching, and this is an ideal time to engage students in meaningful civic engagement. The California Secretary of State and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction are partnering to host the 2026 California Student Mock Election on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

School registration for the 2026 California Student Mock Election kicks off on Monday, April 13, 2026. This statewide program gives students a hands-on opportunity to experience the importance of elections and the role voting plays in our democracy. Through your school’s participation, students learn how government and public policy affect their lives, and after ballots are counted, they can compare their results with students across California.

We strongly encourage schools to participate and integrate the Mock Election into their curriculum. Details about the 2026 California Student Mock Election are available on the California Secretary of State’s website at https://studentmockelection.sos.ca.gov, where schools may register and access planning resources. Please note that only one registration is permitted per school. We encourage staff to coordinate and designate a Mock Election Coordinator for each campus.

Schools that register by Wednesday, September 9, 2026, will receive a welcome packet in the mail containing an informational letter, “Save the Date” posters, High School Poll Worker recruitment flyers, and California Student Mock Election “I Voted” stickers. Schools may choose to receive Student Voter Information Guides and ballots electronically or by paper. Please visit our Tools for Success web page at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/studentmockelection/tools-success.

Schools may also support civic engagement by hosting voter registration or preregistration drives. In California, eligible 16- and 17-year-olds may preregister to vote, and their registration becomes active when they turn 18. Eligible students may preregister online through California’s Online Voter Registration system at https://registertovote.ca.gov.

Additional information about preregistration and other youth programs offered by the California Secretary of State are available at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/student-voting-programs.

Together, we can inspire a new generation to become informed and engaged participants in our democracy. If you have questions about the 2026 California Student Mock Election, obtaining physical voter registration cards, or hosting a voter registration drive, please contact the Student Mock Election Team at MyVote@sos.ca.gov or 916-651-3070.

Sincerely,

Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D.
California Secretary of State