Empowering Future Voters: Youth Voting Initiative for School Board Elections

For the first time, 16- and 17-year-olds in Albany, Berkeley, and Oakland can vote in the 2026 school board elections!

A Message from the Alameda County Registrar of Votersacvote youth logo

We are excited to announce that 16- and 17-year-olds in Albany, Berkeley, and Oakland can participate in the 2026 School Board Elections. This historic opportunity results from Measure V in Albany (approved in 2024), Measure Y1 in Berkeley (approved in 2016) and Measure QQ in Oakland (approved in 2020). As part of our ongoing commitment to voter engagement and education, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters is here to help youth voters understand the process and ensure their votes count.

Every eligible pre-registered youth voter will receive a Vote by Mail Ballot before the election, which can be returned by mail, at a 24-hour ballot drop box, or in person at our office and any voter center.

 

New for 2026!

Pre-registered youth voters can vote in person at any voter center in Alameda County.

 

birthday cake icon

When you turn 18

Your voter registration will automatically become active on your 18th birthday. You will no longer be a pre-registered youth voter and will be eligible to vote on federal, statewide, and local contests. 

 

How Albany Youth Voters Can Participate in School Board Election

Albany youth voters can vote for members of the Albany Unified School District Board of Education using Proportional Ranked-Choice Voting (PRCV). This system allows you to rank up to five candidates in order of preference to fill multiple school board seats.

Votes are counted in rounds. Votes from eliminated candidates and a proportional share of votes above the amount needed to elect winning candidates can transfer to voters’ next-ranked candidates who remain in the running. This process continues until all seats are filled.

Important Voting Instructions:

  • Rank up to five candidates, starting with your favorite as your first choice, followed by your second choice, and so on.
  • You may rank fewer than five candidates.
  • Use black or blue ink. Avoid red ink or other colors.
  • Completely fill in the oval for each candidate’s ranking.
  • Choose only one candidate per column, and rank each candidate only once. Do not mark more than one oval in any row or column.
  • If you make a mistake, you can request a replacement ballot.
  • Only votes for officially qualified write-in candidates can count. Check the list on the November 3, 2026 General Election page.

Ballot Return and In-Person Voting Options:

  • Sign your ballot return envelope before returning it.
  • Mail your ballot; no postage is required. It must be postmarked by November 3, 2026, and received by November 10, 2026.
  • Return your ballot to any official 24-hour ballot drop box in Alameda County by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
  • Vote in person or drop off your completed ballot at any Alameda County Vote Center. Vote Centers close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
  • For a list of drop box locations, visit the Drop Box page or call 1-800-834-6454.
  • For a list of vote center locations, visit the Vote Center page or call 1-800-834-6454.

 

How Berkeley Youth Voters Can Participate in School Board Elections

Berkeley Youth Voting Logo

Berkeley youth voters can vote for members of the Berkeley Unified School District Board of Education. Depending on the election, you may vote for two or more candidates. Check the instructions on your ballot for the maximum number of candidates you may select.

Important Voting Instructions:

  • Use black or blue ink. Avoid red ink or other colors.
  • Completely fill in the oval next to each candidate you select.
  • Do not select more candidates than your ballot allows.
  • If you make a mistake, you can request a replacement ballot.
  • Only votes for officially qualified write-in candidates can count. Check the list on the November 3, 2026 General Election page.

Ballot Return and In-Person Voting Options:

  • Sign your ballot return envelope before returning it.
  • Mail your ballot; no postage is required. It must be postmarked by November 3, 2026, and received by November 10, 2026.
  • Return your ballot to any official 24-hour ballot drop box in Alameda County by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
  • Vote in person or drop off your completed ballot at any Alameda County Vote Center. Vote Centers close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
  • For a list of drop box locations, visit the Drop Box page or call 1-800-834-6454.
  • For a list of vote center locations, visit the Vote Center page or call 1-800-834-6454.

 

How Oakland Youth Voters Can Participate in School Board Elections

Oakland Youth Voting Logo

Oakland school board elections use Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV), which allows you to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate wins a majority of first-choice votes, votes for eliminated candidates will transfer to second-choice candidates, and so on. 

The number of available rankings varies by contest. Follow the instructions on your ballot.

Important Voting Instructions:

  • Rank candidates using the columns provided on your ballot, starting with your favorite as your first choice, followed by your second choice, and so on.
  • You do not have to use every available ranking.
  • Use black or blue ink. Avoid red ink or other colors.
  • Completely fill in the oval for each candidate’s ranking.
  • Choose only one candidate per column, and rank each candidate only once. Do not mark more than one oval in any row or column.
  • If you make a mistake, you can request a replacement ballot.
  • Only votes for officially qualified write-in candidates can count. Check the list on the November 3, 2026 General Election page.

Ballot Return Options:

  • Sign your ballot return envelope before returning it.
  • Mail your ballot; no postage is required. It must be postmarked by November 3, 2026, and received by November 10, 2026.
  • Return your ballot to any official 24-hour ballot drop box in Alameda County by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
  • Vote in person or drop off your completed ballot at any Alameda County Vote Center. Vote Centers close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
  • For a list of drop box locations, visit the Drop Box page or call 1-800-834-6454.
  • For a list of vote center locations, visit the Vote Center page or call 1-800-834-6454.

 

A Guide to Registering and Voting in the 2026 School Board Election

Step 1: Register to Vote

Every eligible 16- and 17-year-old in Albany, Berkeley, and Oakland who pre-registers will automatically receive a Vote by Mail Ballot. You can check your voter registration status by logging into your Voter Profile or by contacting our office by calling 1-800-834-6454.

 

Step 2: Preparing to Vote:

We encourage you to review your Voter Information Guide, research the candidates, and understand your ballot. You’ll find information on candidates and issues in the guide, and you can learn more about Albany's and Oakland’s Ranked-Choice Voting system if applicable.

 

Step 3: Voting Methods:

You have three options for casting your vote:

Vote by Mail: Ensure your ballot is postmarked by November 3, 2026, and received by our office by November 10, 2026.

24-Hour Drop Boxes: Open county-wide from October 5, 2026, until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

In-Person Voting: You can vote early at the Alameda County Registrar’s Office starting October 5, 2026, and continuing through Election Day, or at a Vote Center starting October 24, 2026.

 

Track Your Ballot:

Alameda County offers a "Where’s My Ballot?" tracking tool so you can check the status of your Vote by Mail Ballot by logging into your Voter Profile.

 

Missed the Registration Deadline? You Can Still Vote!

If you didn’t register before the deadline, you can still register and vote on the same day at the Alameda County Registrar of Voters' Office. This is called conditional voter registration, and it ensures that your vote will be counted once your registration is verified.

 

Accessibility:

We provide a variety of accessibility services, including:

Remote Accessible Vote By Mail (RAVBM): Voters with disabilities can mark their ballots online using assistive devices and print the completed ballot to return by mail. Access your RAVBM Ballot by logging into your Voter Profile.

Ballot Marking Devices (BMDs): Available at in-person at the Registrar of Voters' Office, these devices support voters with visual, auditory, or motor skill limitations.

Curbside Voting: Available for voters with mobility challenges at the Registrar’s Office.

 

Resources for First-Time Voters

List of Resources:

California Online Voter Registration

Register to Vote