Time is ticking for California voters.

Monday, May 18, is the final day eligible Californians can register to vote for the June 2 primary and automatically receive a vote-by-mail ballot as millions prepare to weigh in on a crowded slate of state and local races.

All active registered voters in California will receive a mail ballot for the June primary. County election officials began distributing ballots earlier this month.

Officials urge residents to double-check their registration status or submit a new application online before the deadline.

Would-be voters who miss Monday’s cutoff aren’t entirely out of luck.

California’s same-day or conditional voter registration laws still allow eligible residents to register and cast ballots in person at county elections offices, vote centers, or polling locations through Election Day, though those ballots may require additional verification before being fully processed.  

Registration can be completed online, by mail, or in person, with applications also available at government offices, including the DMV, libraries, and county election offices.

Californians can also confirm whether they’re already registered through the Secretary of State’s voter status portal.  

To register, applicants must provide a California driver’s license or identification card displaying their date of birth, as well as the last four digits of their Social Security number. This information will be verified with DMV records. If the information matches and is authorized, the DMV will add its signature to the voter registration application.

If your records aren’t found, you will need to print and sign a paper application and mail it.

In both cases, your county elections official will need to verify your voter registration application and will let you know whether your application is approved or if more information is needed, according to the California Secretary of State.

The June 2 primary is expected to shape several major statewide contests, including California’s high-profile gubernatorial race, as voters begin narrowing crowded candidate fields ahead of the general election.