Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.

California Controller

From Ballotpedia
(Redirected from California State Controller)
Jump to: navigation, search
California Controller

Ca-state-seal.jpg

General information
Office Type:  Partisan
Office website:  Official Link
Compensation:  $179,215
2025 FY Budget:  $330,681,000
Term limits:  2 terms
Structure
Length of term:   4 years
Authority:  California Constitution, Article 5, Section 11
Selection Method:  Elected
Current Officeholder(s)

California Controller Malia Cohen
Democratic Party
Assumed office: January 2, 2023

Elections
Next election:  November 3, 2026
Last election:  November 8, 2022
Other California Executive Offices
Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Controller • Superintendent of Public Instruction • Agriculture Secretary • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Secretary • Industrial Relations Director • Public Utilities Commission

The California State Controller is an elected state executive office established by the California Constitution. The controller acts as the state's accountant and bookkeeper, tracking and controlling disbursement of state funds from the treasury. The controller also administers the Uniform State Payroll System, audits various state and local government programs, and disburses state aid to lower-level governments.

The controller serves on the Board of Equalization and the Franchise Tax Board. The areas of government audited and reviewed by the controller include school districts, the California State Lottery, oil and gas lease royalties, state agencies, and a multitude of local governments.

Current officeholder

The current California Controller is Malia Cohen (D). Cohen assumed office in 2023.

Authority

The office of controller is established by the California Constitution.[1]

California Constitution, Article 5, Section 11

The Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Controller, Secretary of State, and Treasurer shall be elected at the same time and places and for the same term as the Governor.

Qualifications

Although there are no office-specific requirements for the office, each candidate for controller must:[2]

  • Be a registered voter
  • Be registered with their party for at least three months
    • Not have been registered with a different political party in the last 12 months
  • Not have been previously term-limited out of the office

Elections

Controllers are elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in federal midterm election years, e.g. 2018, 2022, 2026 and 2030.[3] Like all constitutional state officers, the controller assumes office on the first Monday in the new year following the election.[1]

California Constitution, Article 5, Section 11

The Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Controller, Secretary of State, and Treasurer shall be elected at the same time and places and for the same term as the Governor. No Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Controller, Controller, or Treasurer may serve in the same office for more than 2 terms.

Term limits

Controllers, like all state constitutional officers, face an absolute limit of two terms in office.[1]

2022

See also: California Controller election, 2022

General election

General election for California Controller

Malia Cohen defeated Lanhee Chen in the general election for California Controller on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Malia Cohen
Malia Cohen (D) Candidate Connection
 
55.3
 
5,936,856
Image of Lanhee Chen
Lanhee Chen (R) Candidate Connection
 
44.7
 
4,789,345

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 10,726,201
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for California Controller

The following candidates ran in the primary for California Controller on June 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Lanhee Chen
Lanhee Chen (R) Candidate Connection
 
37.2
 
2,533,305
✔
Image of Malia Cohen
Malia Cohen (D) Candidate Connection
 
22.7
 
1,542,397
Image of Yvonne Yiu
Yvonne Yiu (D) Candidate Connection
 
15.1
 
1,024,707
Image of Steve Glazer
Steve Glazer (D)
 
11.1
 
756,518
Image of Ron Galperin
Ron Galperin (D) Candidate Connection
 
10.1
 
690,484
Image of Laura Wells
Laura Wells (G) Candidate Connection
 
3.8
 
258,053

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 6,805,464
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Past elections

Expand All
2018
2014


Vacancies

The vacancy procedure for the office of controller is determined by the state constitution. When a vacancy occurs, the governor nominates a replacement to serve the remainder of the term under the next election. The appointee must be confirmed by a majority of both house of the California legislature. Until the replacement is approved, the former officeholder's chief deputy exercises the office.[4]

California Constitution, Article 5, Section 5b

Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, or Attorney General, or on the State Board of Equalization, the Governor shall nominate a person to fill the vacancy who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority of the membership of the Senate and a majority of the membership of the Assembly and who shall hold office for the balance of the unexpired term. In the event the nominee is neither confirmed nor refused confirmation by both the Senate and the Assembly within 90 days of the submission of the nomination, the nominee shall take office as if he or she had been confirmed by a majority of the Senate and Assembly; provided, that if such 90-day period ends during a recess of the Legislature, the period shall be extended until the sixth day following the day on which the Legislature reconvenes.

Duties

As of January 12, 2021, the controller's official website provided the following description of the office's function:[5]

“ As the chief fiscal officer of California, the fifth largest economy in the world, Controller Betty Yee is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. Controller Yee also safeguards many types of property until claimed by the rightful owners, independently audits government agencies that spend state funds, and administers the payroll system for state government employees and California State University employees. She serves on 70 boards and commissions with authority ranging from state public land management to crime victim compensation. The Controller is a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board and Board of Equalization. She also serves on the boards of the nation's two largest public pension funds.(In some states, this government official is called a Comptroller.)[6] ”

Divisions

As of January 12, 2021, divisions within the California Controller's Office included:[5]

  • Executive Office
  • Administration and Disbursements
  • Audits
  • Information Systems
  • Local Government Programs and Services
  • Personnel and Payroll Services
  • State Accounting and Reporting
  • Unclaimed Property

State budget

See also: California state budget and finances

The budget for the California State Controller's Office in the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year was $330,681,000.[7]

Compensation

See also: Compensation of state executive officers

The salaries of California's elected executives are determined by the California Citizens Compensation Commission, a seven-member board appointed by the governor to six-year terms. The commission was established after voters passed Proposition 112, an amendment to the California Constitution, in 1990. Commissioners meet prior to June 30 of each year to determine salary recommendations with changes effective the following December. From 2003 to 2013, the commission voted to increase salaries or benefits five times and decreased or made no changes to salaries eight times.[8]

2023

In 2023, the officer's salary was $179,215, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]

2022

In 2022, the officer's salary was $174,843, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]

2021

In 2021, the controller received a salary of $167,796, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]

2020

In 2020, the controller received a salary of $167,796 according to the Council of State Governments.[12]

2019

In 2019, the controller received a salary of $161,342 according to the Council of State Governments.[13]

2018

In 2018, the controller received a salary of $156,643 according to the Council of State Governments.[14]

2017

In 2017, the controller received a salary of $152,081 according to the Council of State Governments.[15]

2016

In 2016, the controller received a salary of $146,232 according to the Council of State Governments.[16]

2015

In 2015, the controller received a salary of $141,973 according to the Council of State Governments.[17]

2014

In 2014, the controller received a salary of $139,189 according to the Council of State Governments.[18]

2013

In 2013, the controller received a salary of $139,189. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.[19]

2010

In 2010, the controller received compensation in the amount of $130,490.[20]

Historical officeholders

Contact information

Sacramento Office
300 Capitol Mall, Suite 1850
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2636
Fax: (916) 322-4404

Los Angeles Office
888 South Figueroa Street, Suite 2050
Los Angeles, California 90017
Phone: (213) 833-6010
Fax: (213) 833-6011

See also

California State Executive Elections News and Analysis
Seal of California.png
StateExecLogo.png
Ballotpedia RSS.jpg
California State Executive Offices
California State Legislature
California Courts
2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016
California elections: 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016
Party control of state government
State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 California Constitution, "Article 5, Section 11," accessed January 12, 2021
  2. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Summary of Qualifications and Requirements for the Offices of Secretary of State, Controller, and Treasurer," accessed January 12, 2021
  3. ↑ California Elections Code, "Sections 1001-1003," accessed January 12, 2021
  4. ↑ California Constitution, "Article 5, Section 5b," accessed January 12, 2021
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 California Controller, "State Controller's Functions," accessed January 12, 2021
  6. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  7. ↑ California Budget, "2024-25 Budget - 0840 State Controller," accessed January 15, 2025
  8. ↑ California Citizens Compensation Commission, "About the Commission," accessed January 12, 2021
  9. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 15, 2025
  10. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
  11. ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
  12. ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 12, 2021
  13. ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 12, 2021
  14. ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 12, 2021
  15. ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 12, 2021
  16. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
  17. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
  18. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 14, 2014
  19. ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2013, Table 4.11," accessed February 2, 2014
  20. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2010 -- Table 4.11," accessed June 23, 2011
  21. ↑ California Secretary of State, "History of California Constitutional Officers," accessed January 12, 2021
v • e
State Controllers
Elected (by voters)
Appointed (by gov.)
Elections
2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010
Other


Flag of California
v • e
State of California
Sacramento (capital)
Elections

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

Government

Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy

Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=California_Controller&oldid=10403833"