The primary election happens this year on Tuesday, June 7th.  Starting May 9, ballots will be mailed to every California voter with an active registration status will be sent a ballot in the mail, and will then have the option to vote by returning a mailed ballot or casting their vote in person.

What’s a primary election and what’s at stake?
A primary election determines which top two candidates will appear on the November general election ballot. Your June primary ballot will include candidates for local and statewide office, the California Legislature and Congress, including: 

All candidates for these offices, regardless of party affiliation, are listed on one primary ballot and only the top two vote-getters move on to the general election. These elected officials influence policies, programs and the budget — and their leadership will shape California for years to come. There will also be some local candidates on your ballot, these elected offices are equally as important.  Local elected leaders make the decisions that directly impact everyday life in your community. The upcoming primary election is your chance to decide who will represent your interests at the federal, state, and local levels of government and where you stand on key state and community issues.  

*If you miss the May 23 voter registration deadline, you still can vote! You will just need to visit your county elections office, a vote center or polling station to get the materials necessary to participate in same day voter registration and cast a provisional ballot, on or before Election Day. A provisional ballot still counts – it just means that an official has to verify that your registration was successful before the ballot is counted.

**Click here to find out if you live in a VCA county.

Click here to find out if you live in a VCA county.

Voting Options

• Mail in ballots: every registered voter will be sent a ballot in the mail by May 9th (however it may take a few days to arrive). You may return your voted ballot by:

1. 1. Mailing it to your county elections official, postmarked on or before election day, June 7th. 
   2. Returning it in person to a polling place or the office of your county elections official no later than 8 p.m. on election day
   3. Dropping your ballot into one of your county’s ballot drop boxes no later than 8 p.m. on election day
   4. Authorizing someone to return the ballot on your behalf via one of the above methods. Anyone you trust may return your ballot for you. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must fill out the authorization section found on the outside of your ballot envelope.

• In person: In-person voting locations will offer voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines, and language assistance to those who need it.
  • Early voting: Cast your ballot at vote center locations starting May 28  
  • Election Day: Vote on June 7 

Helpful Resources

Registration

• Register to vote 

• Voter Status Same Day Registration

Ballot Tracking

• Where is my ballot

Where to Vote

• Early voting locations 

• Voting location lookup

• Contact your election office 

Voter Rights

• Voter Bill of Rights in English & other languages

• Voting options for people with disabilities 

• Time off to vote 

Poll worker Information

• Sign up to be a poll worker 

• How to be a poll worker

Other

• Election Myths Busted

Resources are for educational purposes and are not endorsements by NextGen. For more information about our past work and current policy priorities, please contact info@nextgenpolicy.org.