With just days left to cast your vote in California\u2019s primary election on June 2, The Times has answers to your last-minute questions about the voting process. <\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what you need to know: <\/p>\n
What are the key races to watch?The California governor\u2019s race is a tight battle between Democrats and Republicans who are vying to replace Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is serving his second term and cannot run again. Top candidates include a Riverside County Sheriff, a former senior advisor to British Prime Minister David Cameron, a former Los Angeles mayor, a billionaire hedge fund founder and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Your guide to the race for California governor can be found here<\/a>. In the Los Angeles city mayoral race, incumbent Karen Bass faces a reelection challenge from a field of candidates that include a reality TV personality, a tech entrepreneur, a City Council member and a progressive community leader. Your guide to the L.A. mayor\u2019s race can be found here<\/a>. What is on the ballot?<\/p>\n There are several races, ballot measures, local district seats and statewide races that Southern Californians must decide on. <\/p>\n Most of the attention will be on the races for California governor and the mayor of Los Angeles. <\/p>\n City of Los Angeles residents have several other items to consider, including: <\/p>\n County of Los Angeles residents will be asked to vote on: <\/p>\n Voters will decide on six local congressional district seats and other statewide races including the: <\/p>\n A comprehensive breakdown of each race or proposed tax measure can be found here<\/a>. <\/p>\n What is an open primary?<\/p>\n An open primary allows the top two candidates who garner the most votes to move on to the general election in November, no matter what party they belong to. <\/p>\n This system could allow two candidates from the same party to advance to the general election.<\/p>\n Is it too late to vote by mail?<\/p>\n No. You can return your vote-by-mail ballot by:<\/p>\n Dropping it off in the return envelope at a secure official drop box now through the close of polls on June 2. Dropping it off in person at a polling place, vote center or county elections office by 8 p.m. on June 2. Dropping it off at the post office. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before election day and received no later than 7 days after election day. To ensure your ballot is postmarked by election day, mail it at least five days before June 2. If mailing on election day, get a hand-stamped postmark from a postal employee at a United States Post Office.What is the deadline to return a vote-by-mail ballot?<\/p>\n In order to be counted, vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before election day, June 2, and received by your county elections office by June 9. <\/p>\n How do I check if I\u2019m registered to vote?<\/p>\n To find out if you\u2019re registered to vote, visit the secretary of state\u2019s website<\/a>. You\u2019ll need to enter a California driver\u2019s license or identification number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.<\/p>\n You also can call the state\u2019s voter hotline (available in 10 languages<\/a>) at (800) 345-8683 to get a paper application mailed to you, or you can pick up one at a county election office<\/a>, most California libraries and United States Post Office locations, as well as many federal, state and local government offices \u2014 including the Department of Motor Vehicles.<\/p>\n If you opted to register online, officials say you should wait at least 24 hours before checking your voter status.<\/p>\n How do I register to vote? Can I register on election day?<\/p>\n The deadline to register to vote was May 18. <\/p>\n If you\u2019ve failed to meet the deadline, you can register as a conditional voter through the same-day voter registration process<\/a>. <\/p>\n Eligible citizens who need to register or reregister to vote within 14 days of an election can complete this process to register and vote at county elections offices, polling places or vote centers. <\/p>\n To find an early voting location, use the secretary of state search tool here<\/a>. You can find your local polling places here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Your submitted ballot will be processed and counted once the county elections office has completed the voter registration verification process. <\/p>\n How do I check my voter status?<\/p>\n You can check your voter status from the California secretary of state website here<\/a>. To find your record, you\u2019ll need to provide your full name, date of birth, state driver\u2019s license or identification card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. <\/p>\n Where is my closest drop box?<\/p>\n Secure ballot drop-off locations opened May 5. You can visit the Los Angeles County Office of the Registrar-Recorder\/County Clerk\u2019s website here<\/a> to find a ballot box near you.<\/p>\n How do I track my ballot?<\/p>\n