Primary Election Day in California arrives on June 2, 2026. Californians will not only be voting on a new governor, but they will also be voting on congressional members using the newly drawn district maps under Proposition 50.Prop 50 was a response by California Democrats after Texas acted to redraw its districts to try to favor more Republicans as part of a battle to maintain power in Congress. Midterm elections, where voters are not deciding on the office of president, are also when pivotal power shifts could occur.June 2 is a crucial date for many of the offices because of California’s top-two system, where the top two vote-getters, regardless of political affiliation, advance to November.Exceptions to this rule include offices such as city mayor, city council, county sheriff, or special elections, where winning half of the votes plus one extra vote can decide a winner without having to go to the November General Election.See below for updates as Election Day unfolds. Leer en español.What time do polls open on Election Day?In California, vote centers on Tuesday open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. for those who wish to vote in person or return their ballot there. Voters can also return their vote-by-mail ballot at secure dropbox locations.You can also return your ballot by mail, as long as it is postmarked on or before June 2. But California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber recommended voters who planned to mail their ballot to get that done at least a week in advance.Where can I find my polling place?You can find a vote center on the back of your county voter information guide or by clicking here. The state is also offering a service where people can text “vote” to 468-683 to find their polling place.Missed your voter registration date? California offers same-day registrationIn California, the deadline to register to vote before an election is 15 days. However, if you miss the deadline, you can cast a ballot provisionally. California law states any voter whose qualifications cannot be immediately verified can cast a ballot provisionally. This process involves comparing the signature of the provisional ballot with the signature on the voter’s affidavit of registration to ensure the person is properly registered to vote.California also allows for same-day registration until 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can sign up for conditional voter registration at your county elections office, or any vote center or polling place in your county.Track your vote in CaliforniaThe Secretary of State’s Office is offering a way for voters to track their ballot online. The service allows people to receive updates when their ballot is mailed, received, counted or if an issue comes up. Voters will have the option of email, text or phone call updates.Still undecided and haven’t voted? Check out our voter guideOur voter guide features interviews with leading candidates for state offices, Congress and includes information on local races. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Primary Election Day in California arrives on June 2, 2026.
Californians will not only be voting on a new governor, but they will also be voting on congressional members using the newly drawn district maps under Proposition 50.
Prop 50 was a response by California Democrats after Texas acted to redraw its districts to try to favor more Republicans as part of a battle to maintain power in Congress. Midterm elections, where voters are not deciding on the office of president, are also when pivotal power shifts could occur.
June 2 is a crucial date for many of the offices because of California’s top-two system, where the top two vote-getters, regardless of political affiliation, advance to November.
Exceptions to this rule include offices such as city mayor, city council, county sheriff, or special elections, where winning half of the votes plus one extra vote can decide a winner without having to go to the November General Election.
See below for updates as Election Day unfolds. Leer en español.
What time do polls open on Election Day?
In California, vote centers on Tuesday open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. for those who wish to vote in person or return their ballot there. Voters can also return their vote-by-mail ballot at secure dropbox locations.
You can also return your ballot by mail, as long as it is postmarked on or before June 2. But California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber recommended voters who planned to mail their ballot to get that done at least a week in advance.
Where can I find my polling place?
You can find a vote center on the back of your county voter information guide or by clicking here. The state is also offering a service where people can text “vote” to 468-683 to find their polling place.
Missed your voter registration date? California offers same-day registration
In California, the deadline to register to vote before an election is 15 days. However, if you miss the deadline, you can cast a ballot provisionally. California law states any voter whose qualifications cannot be immediately verified can cast a ballot provisionally. This process involves comparing the signature of the provisional ballot with the signature on the voter’s affidavit of registration to ensure the person is properly registered to vote.
California also allows for same-day registration until 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can sign up for conditional voter registration at your county elections office, or any vote center or polling place in your county.
Track your vote in California
The Secretary of State’s Office is offering a way for voters to track their ballot online. The service allows people to receive updates when their ballot is mailed, received, counted or if an issue comes up. Voters will have the option of email, text or phone call updates.
Still undecided and haven’t voted? Check out our voter guide
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel