While the Golden State’s Democratic leanings in the presidential race are well known, California is home to several swing districts, making the state pivotal this year in determining which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives.
Additionally, voters will elect a new U.S. senator, determine several ballot measures and feature numerous local races.
Here’s what you need to know:
When are the elections?
Election Day is November 5. But in California, it’s actually Election Month, when the state’s 22.2 million registered voters will receive ballots in the mail. They’re scheduled to go out on October 7.
What do voters decide?
The presidential race between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Trump tops the list and attracts the most attention. Californians will also decide whether they want Democratic Rep. Adam B. Schiff of Burbank or former Dodgers star Steve Garvey, a Republican, to fill the Senate seat held for decades by Democrat Dianne Feinstein, who died last year.
Since California’s statewide electorate is heavily skewed toward Democrats (a Republican hasn’t won statewide since 2006), those races aren’t very competitive.
But California can determine congressional oversight. Ten House races in the state are rated as competitive by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, with the most hotly contested districts in Orange, Los Angeles and Riverside counties and the Central Valley. The Republican and Democratic parties and outside groups are pouring millions of dollars into the state to boost these contests.
Voters will also weigh 10 statewide ballot measures.
The most controversial is Proposition 36, which would increase penalties for certain theft and drug offenses, an attempt to reverse parts of a previously passed ballot measure, Proposition 47, that sought to reduce prison overcrowding by downgrading some felonies to misdemeanors. Many law enforcement officials blamed the 2014 initiative for rising homelessness and crime in California.
Voters are also being asked to raise the state’s minimum wage to $18 an hour with Proposition 32 and approve two $10 billion bonds: one to build and improve K-12 schools and community colleges (Proposition 2) and another to respond to climate change with funding for flood control and fire protection (Proposition 4).
Other state measures ask voters to approve same-sex marriage rights, limit forced labor in prisons, impose a permanent tax on managed care plans that expires in 2026 and limit how health care providers, particularly the AIDS Health Foundation, can spend prescription drug revenue.
Voters will elect 100 state lawmakers to represent them in Sacramento — 80 Assembly members and half of the 40-member state Senate. Democrats are likely to hold veto-wielding majorities in both chambers, but voters are prepared to send many new people to the Legislature this year because of an unusual number of elections without an incumbent.
What about racing in Los Angeles and the city of Los Angeles?
Los Angeles County residents will elect candidates for city, judicial and school boards.
The race that’s getting the most attention is in Los Angeles County. Attorney George Gascon and his challenger Nathan Hochman: a referendum on criminal justice policy.
Voters will also be asked whether to double the county’s quarterly homeless sales tax, which expires in 2027 (Measure H). If approved, the new tax, which would fund affordable housing, rental assistance and programs to help prevent and reduce homelessness, would remain in effect until voters repeal it.
Also on the ballot are proposals to expand the county Board of Supervisors from five to nine members and elect a county executive (Measure G).
In Los Angeles, voters are being asked whether to create an independent redistricting commission for the Los Angeles City Council (Charter Amendment DD) and the Los Angeles Unified School District Board (Charter Amendment LL) due to revelations that city leaders made racist comments when discussing the issue of redrawing district lines. The charter amendment also strengthens the Ethics Commission (Charter Amendment ER).
There are also three City Council races on the ballot, including a contest between former state Assemblywoman Adrienne Nazarian and small-business owner Jillian Burgos to replace 15-year City Council Speaker Paul Krekorian. Seeking reelection are Councilmembers Kevin de Leon, one of the city leaders caught making offensive comments on leaked audio, and Heather Hutt, appointed to replace Mark Ridley-Thomas after he was charged and later convicted in a federal corruption case. Opponents are Ysabel J. Jurado, a tenants’ rights attorney, and Grace Yu, an attorney and neighborhood council member.
How can I check if I am registered to vote?
Californians can check their status online using their driver’s license or state identification number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Here.
Can I register to vote?
The deadline to register to vote is October 21. You can register online Here.
Paper applications are available at county election offices, libraries, DMVs, or post offices. You can also request one by mail by calling (800) 345-VOTE(8683) or by email Employees of the electoral department.Paper applications must be submitted or filed at the district election office 15 days before the election, i.e. October 21.
Those who miss the deadline may register as provisional voters. Information on how to register Here.
Where can I find a voter guide?
The state and county will send instructions to each registered voter. You can view the state-issued guidelines online. Here.
Can I vote if I don’t have a permanent address?
Homeless people, those living off the grid, and others without a permanent address have the right to be U.S. citizens and California residents over the age of 18, not to serve time in prison for a felony conviction, and not to be assessed as mentally incapacitated by the court.
People without permanent addresses can pick up election materials at shelters, post office boxes and businesses, although they cannot register to vote at post office boxes or business addresses.
Voters displaced by wildfires You can mail your ballot to another address by calling or visiting your county election office. registertovote.ca.govEven if you set up mail-in delivery with the Postal Service, your mail-in ballots will not be mailed unless your address is changed with the election authority.
Every voter has the right to vote in person on election day.
