Voter
Registration Information -- Who
May Register
Any U.S. citizen who will be
18 years of age or older prior
to the regular general election
can register to vote.
You must have been a resident
of the state for 50 days preceding
the election. The only exception
to the residency requirement is
if you are only voting for President.
The cut-off point for voter registration
is 29 days before an election.
The State of California has a
policy of permanent registration,
unless you change your name or
party, or unless you move.
Where
to Register
Pick up a postcard at the County
Clerk's office, any fire station,
post office or the County Registrar
of Voters and return it to the
Registrar of Voters.
Re-registration
This is necessary only if change
you name, address or party preference.
Drivers
License
California law requires that a
motorist obtain a driver's license
within 10 days from the date residency
is established. The license costs
$12 and is valid for 4 birthdays.
You must take a written test but
you can omit the driving (behind
the wheel) test if you surrender
an out-of-state license.
Call the Department of Motor
Vehicles to set an appointment
for your drivers license examination
-1-800-777-0133. You may
also use this phone number for
general questions and information.
Motor
Vehicle Registration
California law states you must
register any out-of-state vehicle
within 20 days of permanent residency.
Personal property tax is included
in your registration fees. The
basic fee is based upon 2% of
market value and is required annually.
Smog
Control
California has a very strict
city SMOG CONTROL ordinance. Smog
certificates state that your car's
pollution control device is working
properly. The certificate must
be presented to the Department
of Motor Vehicles at the time
of registration. Vehicles manufactured
between 1965 and 1979 generally
require the installation of a
smog device.
The smog certificates are obtained
from State-approved garages or
gas stations. The car will be
examined for compliance, and if
necessary, a smog device will
be installed.
Non-Resident
Smog Impact Fee
A person registering a vehicle
which was last registered outside
of California will be required
to pay a $300 Non-Resident Vehicle
Smog Impact Fee if that vehicle
is not labeled as California-certified.
Insurance
To comply with California's
Compulsory Financial Responsibility
Law, your automobile insurance
must provide at least the following
coverage:
For injury to or death of any
one person in any accident: $15,000,
For injury to or death of more
than one person in any one accident:
$30,000,
For property damage caused by
any one accident: $5,000.
With court settlements often exceeding
the above it is wise to consider
a larger amount of liability insurance.
Car
Seat Law
Parents must provide federally-approved
car seats for children up to 4
years of age or 40 pounds. All
cars carrying children in this
age group must provide seatbelts.
Failure to comply with this law
could result in a citation. For
further information, call 800-CAR-SEAT.
Seat
Belt Law
As of January 1, 1996 it is
unlawful for a passenger or driver
in a moving vehicle not to have
his/hers seatbelt properly fastened.
This law includes passengers in
the rear seat as well as the front.
The fine for not observing this
law is $50.00.
Public
School Requirements
Enrollment and transfer requirements
for all public school students
in California are: Birth certificate, Last
report card and transcripts from
previous school, Proof of
immunization for DPT, Polio, Rubella
and Measles.
A child must be 5 years of age
on or before December 1 to be
eligible for kindergarten. Full-time
attendance is required for all
students between ages 6 and 16,
unless specially exempted, and
attendance at continuation classes
is required for those between
16 and 18 years old.
In California, a Unified District
includes both Elementary and High
school levels; an Elementary District
includes kindergarten and grades
one through six or eight; a High
School District includes grades
nine and above, and may include
grades seven and above; a Union
High School District includes
two or more elementary school
districts.
Lottery
The California Lottery was started
in 1985. Fifty percent of Lottery
revenue is paid back in prize
money with 34% of the sales revenue
going directly to California public
education (excluding teachers
salaries). Lottery tickets can
be purchased at many retail, liquor,
department stores, etc. You must
be 18 years or older to play.
In conjunction with the
Lottery is "Super Lotto."
Since its start in 1985, the Lottery
annually has averaged approximately
38 percent contribution to the
state's K-12 and higher education
institutions. California Lottery
Headquarters, P.O. Box 3028 Sacramento,
Ca 95812-3028; 916-322-7415 or
858-492-1700. |
Residency