The Election Is Here: Here's What You Need To Know About Your Vote

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - The countdown is nearly over, with less than 24 hours before polls will be closed and ballots cast.

"It's not something we should take for granted," said Jason Michaels of Sacramento.

Every vote counts and Michaels already cast his.

"I'm a permanent absentee," he said.

Others who forgot to vote can still cast their absentee ballot as long as it's postmarked by Tuesday.

The ballot will only get counted if it's received within three days of the election. You can drop it off at any polling place.

"Usually I put it in early, but I keep forgetting," said Roger Bugatti.

He's not alone. Olympia LePoint tried skip the lines by getting an absentee ballot, but it never arrived. She ended up at the registrar's office and had to wait.

"I thought to myself 'oh my gosh' I originally sent in my absentee ballot to avoid this. Ha ha ha and I was completely shocked." LePoint said.

Voters will decide 17 state ballot measures, plus county and local issues, so the registrar predicts it could take some people more than 10 minutes in the voting booth.

People we spoke to plan to go over the sample ballot to help with the process.

"Actually informing myself, it's our job to do that," said Matt Gonzalez.

Remember: it's illegal to take a voting booth selfie, but feel free to snap away outside your polling place.

You also must be registered to vote. California doesn't allow same-day voting.

"Excited that it's over-ish, but a little nervous about it as well. A lot's going to change so it's a very important vote," Gonzalez.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. If you're in line by 8, you'll still get to vote.