Pre-registered 16- and 17-year-olds in Oakland, Berkeley and Albany can vote in their school board elections this fall, and starting Saturday, Oct. 24, they can vote in person at Alameda County vote centers.

Why it matters: New for 2026, youth voters can use any vote center in the county, not just the registrar's office, according to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

Who can vote

Voters approved youth voting through Measure QQ in Oakland (2020), Measure Y1 in Berkeley (2016) and Measure V in Albany (2024). Youth voters can vote only in school board races. Eligible teens use California's pre-registration system at registertovote.ca.gov.

The online registration deadline was Oct. 19. Anyone who missed it can register and vote the same day at the Registrar's Office through conditional voter registration.

How to vote

  • By mail: Every pre-registered youth voter gets a mail ballot. Sign the envelope. It must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 10. No postage is needed.
  • Drop box: Use any official 24-hour drop box by 8 p.m. Nov. 3.
  • In person: Vote at the Registrar's Office or, starting Oct. 24, at a vote center. Vote centers close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Ballot rules

Oakland uses ranked-choice voting. Albany uses proportional ranked-choice voting, and voters can rank up to five candidates. Berkeley voters pick up to the number of candidates listed on the ballot. Use black or blue ink.

Related: Oakland school board races

Sources: Alameda County Registrar of Voters; Oakland Youth Vote.