California Code, Elections Code - ELEC § 3103

Upon timely receipt of an application received pursuant to Section 3102, the elections official shall examine the application to ascertain that it is properly executed in accordance with this code. If the elections official is satisfied of this fact, the applicant shall be deemed a duly registered voter as of the date appearing on the application to the same extent and with the same effect as though he or she had registered in proper time prior to the election.