I'm a 32 year old US citizen, who has never lived in the US (until now). Am I eligible to vote?

Question

I just moved on September 1 to San Francisco, California from Vancouver, Canada. My parents are U.S. citizens, so I have a US passport and Social Security number, although I have never lived in the US before.

On a California elections website http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm, it says that you must be a "resident of California", to be eligible to vote. In this context, what does it mean exactly to be a resident of California? My understanding is that you have to live in California for over a year to establish residency. Is this true? Can I not vote sooner?

Answer 1

Yes it is true, you must have residency for over a year in most places to vote. That is to prevent people from moving to disputed districts and mess up the electoral. That rule is there to make it harder for people to fix elections.

Answer 2

You have to provide proof of residency to register to vote in the state you live. Residency is a rent receipt , lease or utility bill . You also have to check with the register's office as to the time of residency (In PA, you have to live in the state 30 days before you are considered a resident).

There are also set time limits for registering. In Pennsylvania which I am familiar with you have to be registered 30 days before any upcoming election to vote in that election. Each state is different so my best advise is call the number listed on your state's website and talk to a real person.

Answer 3

The way I understand it and I would assume that California is basically the same thing is that you have to REGISTER to vote. You can do it through the DMV. Unfortunately, if you have not registered yet I don't think you can vote in November..because the last day to register in California for this election was October 23rd. I would suggest you go ahead and register now anyway that way you will be already to vote next time.

Answer 4

You're a U.S. citizen living in the United States - no problem. Just go to your local courthouse or post office to pick up a voter registration form. (If you're registering for a driver's license, you can also register to to vote when you do that.)

Waiting to "establish residency" is usually only relevant for certain benefits, such as reduced college tuition at state-supported schools. It doesn't affect voting.

Answer 5

Yes this is true, you must live there for a year to establish residency which will allow you to vote. But trust me, you can go register to vote, and you can walk in there and vote, no problem, right now.

Answer 6

I live in FL now but I had no problem registering as a voter when I went to have my DL changed to my new address and I believe that it is true anywhere, the voters registration office is not checking to see how long you have lived at your place of residence. You are perhaps too worried over something very easily handled.

Answer 7

Of course....your still a U.S. citizen even if you never lived here (as long as you were born here)

But you do have to be a resident to vote for local elections I'm now in Calif from Mich....I cant vote here because I have a Calif drivers license and a Calif address, I just have to register

Answer 8

Yes, you are eligible to vote once you register. You can do this at public libraries, when you obtain you drivers license or through voting registration office.

Answer 9

vote absentee or whatever.. I live overseas and have off and on for 15years.. I just go and sign up at my local embassy or consulate and vote there.

Answer 10

u can live any palce to vote but i would wait till u know about who u are voteing 4