Election administration in California

Election Information
Voter registration
Early voting
Absentee/mail-in voting
All-mail voting
Voter ID laws
State poll opening and closing times
Time off work for voting
Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker
The Ballot Bulletin
State of Election Administration Legislation Reports
Select a state from the menu below to learn more about its election administration.
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingSubmit

Election administration encompasses a state's voting policies, procedures, and enforcement. These include voter identification requirements, early and absentee/mail-in voting provisions, voter list maintenance methods, and more. Each state's voting policies dictate who can vote and under what conditions.

THE BASICS

California permits online voter registration.

California permits early voting and automatic mail-in voting.

In California, polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

California does not require photo identification to vote.

California holds top-two primary elections.

California has an online tool for verifying voter registration and checking the status of absentee/mail-in and provisional ballots.

Below, you will find details on the following election administration topics in California:

• Poll times
• Voter registration
• Early and absentee/mail-in voting policy
• Voter identification requirements
• Provisional ballot rules
• Primary election type
• Time off work for voting
• Voting rules for people convicted of a felony

• Voter list maintenance
• Post-election auditing
• Election policy ballot measures
• Election policy legislation
• Ballot access
• Redistricting
• Election administration agencies

Poll times

See also: State poll opening and closing times

All polls in California are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Voter registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in California, an individual must be a U.S. citizen and California resident. A voter must be at least 18 years of age on Election Day. Pre-registration is available at 16 years of age. Pre-registered voters are automatically registered to vote when they turn 18.

Automatic registration

California automatically registers eligible individuals to vote when they complete a driver's license, identification (ID) card, or change of address transaction through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Learn more by visiting this website.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

California has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

California allows same-day voter registration.

Californians must be registered to vote at least 15 days before Election Day. If the registration deadline has passed for an upcoming election, voters may visit a location designated by their county elections official during the 14 days prior to, and including Election Day to conditionally register to vote and vote a provisional ballot, which are counted once county election officials have completed the voter registration verification process. The state refers to this process as Same Day Voter Registration.

Residency requirements

To register to vote in California, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

California's constitution requires that voters be U.S. citizens. When registering to vote, proof of citizenship is not required. Individuals who become U.S. citizens less than 15 days before an election must bring proof of citizenship to their county elections office to register to vote in that election. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

As of November 2024, two jurisdictions in California had authorized noncitizen residents to vote for local board of education positions through local ballot measures. Only one of those jurisdictions, San Francisco, had implemented that law. Noncitizens voting for board of education positions must register to vote using a separate application from the state voter registration application.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The secretary of state's My Voter Status website allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Early and absentee/mail-in voting policy

Early voting

See also: Early voting

California permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting.

Absentee/mail-in voting

See also: Absentee/mail-in voting

California provides for universal, automatic mail-in voting in all elections. Local election officials automatically deliver mail-in ballots to all registered voters. Voters may also choose to cast their ballots in person.

Returning absentee/mail-in ballots

See also: Mail ballot collection and return laws by state

California voters can return their absentee/mail-in ballot by mail or in person to their county election office or a ballot drop-off location. Ballots returned in person must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received no later than seven days after the election. Voters who are unable to return their ballot may designate another person to return it for them.

Twenty states allow anyone chosen by the voter to return a ballot on the voter's behalf, with certain exceptions, while 16 states allow anyone with certain relationships to the voter to return the voter's ballot. Four states allow only the voter to return the voter's ballot, with certain exceptions, and two states required voters to return their ballots by mail. Eight states and D.C. do not specify who may return ballots.

Signature requirements and cure provisions

Absentee/mail-in ballots in California include a return envelope with an affidavit that must be signed by the voter. If the voter authorizes someone else to return the ballot, that person must also sign the envelope. Ballots will not be counted if the voter’s signature is missing or if election officials determine that the signature on the envelope does not match the voter’s signature on record. California law includes a cure provision allowing voters to correct an issue with the signature on their absentee/mail-in ballot.

According to section 3019(d)(1) of California law:

“

... on or before the next business day after a determination that a voter’s signature does not compare pursuant to subdivision (c), but not later than eight days prior to the certification of the election, the elections official shall send by first-class mail notice to the voter of the opportunity to verify the voter’s signature no later than 5 p.m. two days prior to the certification of the election. The notice shall include a return envelope, with postage paid, for the voter to return a signature verification statement.

”

Thirty-three states have laws that include cure provisions, while 17 states do not. One state, Pennsylvania, allows counties to establish a cure process.

Was your absentee/mail-in ballot counted?

Voters can use the secretary of state's My Voter Status website to check the status of their absentee/mail-in ballots.

Voter identification requirements

See also: Voter ID in California

See also: Voter identification laws by state

California does not require voters to present identification before casting a ballot in most cases. However, some voters may be asked to show a form of identification when voting if they are voting for the first time after registering to vote by mail and did not provide a driver license number, California identification number, or the last four digits of their social security number. On September 29, 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed SB 1174 into law prohibiting any jurisdiction in the state from adopting a local law that requires voters to present ID before voting.

The following list of accepted ID was current as of October 2024. Click here for the California Secretary of State page to ensure you have the most current information.

“

Current and valid photo identification provided by a third party in the ordinary course of business that includes the name and photograph of the individual presenting it. Examples of photo identification include, but are not limited to, the following documents: driver's license or identification card of any state; passport; employee identification card; identification card provided by a commercial establishment; credit or debit card; military identification card; student identification card; health club identification card; insurance plan identification card; or public housing identification card. Any of the following documents, provided that the document includes the name and address of the individual presenting it, and is dated since the date of the last general election…: utility bill; bank statement; government check; government paycheck; document issued by a governmental agency; sample ballot or other official elections document issued by a governmental, agency dated for the election in which the individual is providing it as proof, of residency or identity; voter notification card issued by a governmental agency; public housing identification card issued by a governmental agency; lease or rental statement or agreement issued by a governmental agency; student identification card issued by a governmental agency; tuition statement or bill issued by a governmental agency; insurance plan card or drug discount card issued by a governmental agency; discharge certificates, pardons, or other official documents issued to the individual by a governmental agency in connection with the resolution of a criminal case, indictment, sentence, or other matter; public transportation authority senior citizen and disabled discount cards issued by a governmental agency; identification documents issued by governmental disability agencies; identification documents issued by government homeless shelters and other government temporary or transitional facilities; drug prescription issued by a government doctor or other governmental health care provider; (R) property tax statement issued by a governmental agency; vehicle registration issued by a governmental agency; or vehicle certificate of ownership issued by a governmental agency.

”

Thirty-five states require voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day. Of these states, 23 require voters to present identification containing a photograph, and 12 accept other forms of identification. The remaining 15 states do not require voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day.

Valid forms of identification differ by state. In certain states that require voters to provide identification, there may be exceptions that allow some voters to cast a ballot without providing an ID. To see more about these exceptions, see details by state. Commonly accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards, and military identification cards.

Provisional ballot rules

Voters in California are given provisional ballots, or ballots requiring additional steps or information before they can be counted, under the following circumstances:

• If the voter’s name is not on the official voter registration list at the polling place and the voter thinks that he or she is registered to vote, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

• If a voter who requested to vote by mail but chooses to vote at his or her polling place, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot. The voter may only cast a provisional ballot if he or she "did not receive the ballot or do not have their ballot with them (and the elections official is unable to verify that they have not returned their vote-by-mail ballot)."

Was your provisional ballot counted?

Provisional ballots are counted "after elections officials have confirmed that you are registered to vote in that county and you did not already vote in that election." Provisional ballots are rejected when the signature on the ballot does not match the voter registration signature.

Visit the secretary of state's My Voter Status website to check the status of your provisional ballot.

Local election officials

---

Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.

---

Primary election type

See also: Primary elections in California

California uses a top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, move on to the general election. In states that do not use a top-two system, all parties are usually able to put forward a candidate for the general election if they choose to.

Unlike the top-two format used in some states (Louisiana and Georgia special elections for example), a general election between the top-two candidates in California occurs regardless of whether the top candidate received 50% of the vote in the first round of elections.

As of June 2025, California was one of five states to use a top-two primary system, or a variation of the top-two system. See here for more information.

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Time off work for voting

In California, employees must notify employers of their intention to vote two working days prior to the election. Employers are required to provide two hours of paid leave before or after an employee's shift, whichever will better enable participation in the election:

• "If a voter does not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote at a statewide election, the voter may, without loss of pay, take off enough working time that, when added to the voting time available outside of working hours, will enable the voter to vote."

• "No more than two hours of the time taken off for voting shall be without loss of pay. The time off for voting shall be only at the beginning or end of the regular working shift, whichever allows the most free time for voting and the least time off from the regular working shift, unless otherwise mutually agreed."

• "If the employee on the third working day prior to the day of election, knows or has reason to believe that time off will be necessary to be able to vote on election day, the employee shall give the employer at least two working days’ notice that time off for voting is desired, in accordance with this section."

Twenty-eight states require employers to grant employees time off to vote. Within these 28 states, policies vary as to whether that time off must be paid and how much notice must be given.

Voting rules for people convicted of a felony

See also: Voting rights for people convicted of a felony

In California, people convicted of a felony have their right to vote automatically restored once they are released from prison. People serving felony sentences in state or federal prisons cannot vote, while people in jail who have not been convicted of a felony retain the right to vote.

Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.

Voter list maintenance

All states have rules under which they maintain voter rolls—or, check and remove certain names from their lists of registered voters. Most states are subject to the parameters set by The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). The NVRA requires states to make efforts to remove deceased individuals and individuals who have become ineligible due to a change of address. It prohibits removing registrants from voter lists within 90 days of a federal election due to change of address unless a registrant has requested to be removed, or from removing people from voter lists solely because they have not voted. The NVRA says that states may remove names from their registration lists under certain other circumstances and that their methods for removing names must be uniform and nondiscriminatory.

When names can be removed from the voter list

California law authorizes county election officials to remove individuals from the voter registration list if the individual:

• Makes a written request to be removed
• Is declared mentally incompetent by a court
• Is incarcerated or placed on parole for conviction of a felony
• Dies
• Is determined to be registered to vote in a different state
• Remains on the inactive voter list through two federal general elections.

Inactive voter list rules

California law requires county election officials, 90 days prior to a primary election, to mail a nonforwardable postcard to each registered voter in the county unless they have voted in an election held within the past six months or updated their registration in the last year. If the postcard is returned as undeliverable, then county officials are to place the voter on an inactive list and send them a forwardable notice. Inactive voters do receive election-related materials from election officials and are not included in official calculations for signature requirements and other election administration procedures. Voters who remain on the inactive voter list by not responding to address verification notices or by not voting through the next two federal general elections are to be removed from the voter registration list. An inactive voter may be added back to the active voter list by updating their registration status or by voting.

Under AB 2400 enacted in 2020, California allowed counties to perform a risk-limiting audit beginning with the March 3, 2020, primary. The pilot program for risk-limiting audits expired on January 1, 2023.

Post-election audits check that election results tallied by a state's voting system match results from paper records, such as paper ballots filled out by voters or the paper records produced by electronic voting machines. Post-election audits are classified into two categories: audits of election results—which include traditional post-election audits as well as risk-limiting audits—and procedural audits.

Typically, traditional post-election audits are done by recounting a portion of ballots, either electronically or by hand, and comparing the results to those produced by the state's voting system. In contrast, risk-limiting audits use statistical methods to compare a random sample of votes cast to election results instead of reviewing every ballot. The scope of procedural audits varies by state, but they typically include a systematic review of voting equipment, performance of the voting system, vote totals, duties of election officials and workers, ballot chain of custody, and more.

Forty-six states and the District of Columbia require some form of post-election audit by law, excluding states with pilot programs. Of these, 39 states and the District of Columbia require traditional post-election audits, while three states require risk-limiting post-election audits, and three states require some other form of post-election audit, including procedural post-election audits.

Noteworthy events

All-mail voting (2021)

On September 27, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed AB37 into law, providing for universal, automatic mail-in voting in all future elections in California. Under the law as enacted, local election officials must automatically mail every registered voter a mail-in ballot. In addition, AB37 modified the mail-in ballot return deadline: ballots are considered "timely cast" if voted on or before Election Day and, when delivered by mail, received by election officials no later than seven days after Election Day (previously, the receipt deadline for ballots returned by mail was three days after Election Day). The law does not preclude voters from choosing instead to cast their ballots in person.

On September 2, 2021, the California State Senate approved the final version of AB37 by a vote of 30-7. On September 3, 2021, the California State Assembly followed suit, voting 60-17 in favor of the bill.

In response to the bill's signing, Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D) said, "Voters like having options for returning their ballot whether by mail, at a secure drop box, a voting center or at a traditional polling station. And the more people who participate in elections, the stronger our democracy and the more we have assurance that elections reflect the will of the people of California." Meanwhile, California GOP Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson said, "It’s no secret that Democrats have and will continue to try to manipulate election regulations for their political advantage. Republicans will hold them accountable through our election integrity operations – including litigation, where appropriate – and by recruiting and supporting candidates who will provide solutions to California’s numerous challenges."

Click here for the full text of the bill.

Election policy ballot measures

See also: Elections and campaigns on the ballot and List of California ballot measures

Ballotpedia has tracked the following ballot measures relating to election and campaign policy in California.

1. California Proposition 198, Open Blanket Primary Election Initiative (March 1996)
2. California Proposition 226, Ban on Political Contributions from Payroll Deductions Initiative (June 1998)
3. California Proposition 3, Closed Presidential Primaries Measure (1998)
4. California Proposition 208, Campaign Contribution and Spending Limits Initiative (1996)
5. California Proposition 219, Uniform Application of Ballot Measures Amendment (June 1998)
6. California Proposition 23, None of the Above Option on Ballots Initiative (March 2000)
7. California Proposition 34, State Elective Office Campaign Contribution Limits Measure (2000)
8. California Proposition 62, Top-Two Primaries Initiative (2004)
9. California Proposition 15, Biennial Lobbyist Fee and Public Campaign Funding Measure (June 2010)
10. California Proposition 14, Top-Two Primaries Amendment (June 2010)
11. California Proposition 131, Term Limits and Campaign Finance Limits Initiative (1990)
12. California Proposition 136, Changes to Vote Requirements for New or Increased Taxes Initiative (1990)
13. California Proposition 137, Voter Approval for Certain Rules Governing Initiatives Amendment (1990)
14. California Proposition 77, Transfer Legislative and Congressional Redistricting to Panel of Retired Judges Initiative (2005)
15. California Proposition 60, Political Parties to Participate in Primaries and General Elections Amendment (2004)
16. California Proposition 20, Transfer Congressional Redistricting to Commission Initiative (2010)
17. California Proposition 41, County Voting Equipment Bond Measure (March 2002)
18. California Proposition 89, Public Campaign Finance Program, Campaign Finance Limits, and Increased Corporate Tax Initiative (2006)
19. California Proposition 4, Primary Partisanship Referendum (1916)
20. California Proposition 2, Ballot Regulations Referendum (October 1915)
21. California Proposition 6, Naturalized Citizens Voting Eligibility Amendment (June 1972)
22. California Proposition 23, Election Decisions Amendment (1914)
23. California Proposition 18, Voter Qualifications Amendment (1924)
24. California Proposition 6, Publication of Bond Propositions Amendment (1958)
25. California Proposition 2, Terms of Assembly Members Amendment (1960)
26. California Proposition 8, Voting Prohibition for Those Serving a Sentence Amendment (1960)
27. California Proposition 21, Incumbents for Superior Courts Amendment (1962)
28. California Proposition 8, Elections of Superior Court Judges Amendment (1964)
29. California Proposition 15, Exemption From Voter Education Requirement Amendment (1966)
30. California Proposition 23, Election Results Amendment (1926)
31. California Proposition 25, Voter Eligibility Amendment (1930)
32. California Proposition 22, Municipal Charter Amendments Amendment (1930)
33. California Proposition 4, Election Returns for Governor and Lieutenant Governor Amendment (1940)
34. California Proposition 7, County Board of Education Amendment (1946)
35. California Proposition 8, Superior Court Vacancies Amendment (1948)
36. California Proposition 13, Requirement to be a Political Party Candidate Initiative (1952)
37. California Proposition 7, Political Party Affiliation on the Ballot Measure (1952)
38. California Proposition 43, Constitutional Right to Have One's Vote Counted Amendment (March 2002)
39. California Proposition 49, Prohibition of Political Party Endorsements for Nonpartisan Candidates Amendment (June 1986)
40. California Proposition 20, County Charter Officials Amendment (1932)
41. California Proposition 19, City and City and County Charters Amendment (1932)
42. California Proposition 7, Voter Eligibility Requirements Amendment (1948)
43. California Proposition 4, Voter Eligibility Amendment (1950)
44. California Proposition 32, Ban on Political Contributions from Payroll Deductions Initiative (2012)
45. California Proposition 6, Boards of Education Amendment (June 1970)
46. California Non-Profit Donor Disclosure Initiative (2014)
47. California Nonpartisan Ballots Initiative (2016)
48. California Senatorial Elections, Proposition 1 (1892)
49. California Voter Qualifications, Proposition 3 (1892)
50. California Elections by Ballot, Amendment 2 (1896)
51. California Election of County Officers, Amendment 5 (1896)
52. California Direct Primaries, Amendment 3 (1908)
53. California Proposition 17, County and Municipal Vote Requirements Amendment (October 1911)
54. California Proposition 47, Prohibition Elections Initiative (1914)
55. California Proposition 21, Incurring Indebtedness Propositions Amendment (1926)
56. California Proposition 16, Require Supermajority Voter Approval to Expand Utility Services Initiative (June 2010)
57. California Proposition 17, Car Insurance Rates Based on Coverage History Initiative (June 2010)
58. California Proposition 27, Elimination of Citizens Redistricting Commission Initiative (2010)
59. California Proposition 44, Chiropractic License Revocation for Insurance Fraud Measure (March 2002)
60. California Proposition 212, Campaign Spending and Contribution Limits Initiative (1996)
61. California Proposition 6, Municipal Charter Changes Amendment (October 1911)
62. California Proposition 4, Judicial Vacancies Term Amendment (October 1915)
63. California Proposition 8, Voter Registration Amendment (1936)
64. California Proposition 21, Superior Court Vacancies Amendment (1952)
65. California Proposition 4, Open Presidential Primaries Amendment (June 1972)
66. California Proposition 59, Election of District Attorney Amendment (1986)
67. California Proposition 38, Language for Election Materials Initiative (1984)
68. California Proposition 7, Changes to Elections Amendment (1972)
69. California Proposition 4, City Boards of Education Amendment (June 1978)
70. California Proposition 6, Require Elected County Sheriffs Amendment (June 1978)
71. California Proposition 4, Elections Regarding Low-Income Housing Amendment (June 1980)
72. California Proposition 66, Elected County Assessor Amendment (June 1988)
73. California Proposition 9, Fair Political Practices Commission and Election and Campaign Policies Initiative (June 1974)
74. California Proposition 20, Candidates Who Engaged in Libelous or Slanderous Behavior Amendment (June 1984)
75. California Proposition 73, Funds for Election Campaigns Initiative (June 1988)
76. California Proposition 68, Campaign Contributions Initiative (June 1988)
77. California Proposition 40, Campaign Finance Initiative (1984)
78. California Proposition 1, Primary Elections Referendum (October 1915)
79. California Proposition 10, Prohibit Head and Poll Taxes Initiative (1914)
80. California Proposition 12, Constitutional Conventions Amendment (1914)
81. California Proposition 13, Bond Electors Initiative (1914)
82. California Proposition 13, Educational Poll Tax Amendment (1924)
83. California Proposition 17, City Charters Amendment (1932)
84. California Proposition 18, Drafting County Charter by Board of Supervisors Amendment (1932)
85. California Proposition 18, Primary Voting for 17-Year-Olds Amendment (2020)
86. California Proposition 34, Require Certain Participants in Medi-Cal Rx Program to Spend 98% of Revenues on Patient Care Initiative (2024)

Recent legislation related to election administration in California

The table below lists bills related to election administration that have been introduced during (or carried over to) the current legislative session in California. The following information is included for each bill:

• State
• Bill number
• Official bill name or caption
• Most recent action date
• Legislative status
• Sponsor party
• Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized by most recent action. The table displays up to 100 results. To view more bills, use the arrows in the upper-right corner. Clicking on a bill will open its page on Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker, which includes bill details and a summary.

Explore election legislation with Ballotpedia

• 
  Try Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker

  Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker provides daily updates on legislative activity related to election policy in all 50 states.
  
  Our election policy experts translate complex bill text into easy-to-understand summaries. And because it's from Ballotpedia, our legislation tracker is guaranteed to be neutral, unbiased, and nonpartisan.
  Search bills
• 
  Read Ballotpedia's State of Election Administration Legislation Reports

  Ballotpedia publishes regular analysis of election administration legislation, including three full reports per year, providing ongoing coverage of legislative activity affecting election policy in each state.
  
  These reports deliver insights into partisan priorities, dive deep into notable trends, and highlight activity in key states.
  Read the latest report
• 
  
  Subscribe to The Ballot Bulletin

  The Ballot Bulletin is a weekly email that delivers the latest updates on election policy.
  
  The newsletter tracks developments in election policy around the country, including legislative activity, big-picture trends, and recent news. Each email contains in-depth data from our Election Administration Legislation Tracker.
  Subscribe

Ballot access

See also: Ballot access requirements for political candidates in California

In order to get on the ballot in California, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in California. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, click here. Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

California utilizes a top-two primary system. This system establishes a single primary election for all candidates running for office. The primary is open to all registered voters. The top two vote-getters in this primary election then move on to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. The system was established with the Top Two Primaries Act, which appeared as Proposition 14 on the June 8, 2010, ballot. It was approved with 53.8 percent of the vote and took effect with a special election on April 19, 2011.

Redistricting

See also: Redistricting in California

Redistricting is the process by which new congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn. Each of California's 52 United States Representatives and 120 state legislators are elected from political divisions called districts. United States Senators are not elected by districts, but by the states at large. District lines are redrawn every 10 years following completion of the United States census. The federal government stipulates that districts must have nearly equal populations and must not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity.

California was apportioned 52 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, one fewer than it received after the 2010 census. Click here for more information about redistricting in California after the 2020 census.

HIGHLIGHTS

Following the 2020 United States Census, California was apportioned 52 congressional seats, one less than the number it had after the 2010 census.

California's State Assembly is made up of 80 districts; California's State Senate is made up of 40 districts.

In California, a non-politician commission draws both congressional and state legislative district lines.

State process

See also: State-by-state redistricting procedures

In California, a non-politician commission draws both congressional and state legislative district lines. Established in 2008 by ballot initiative, the commission comprises 14 members: five Democrats, five Republicans, and four belonging to neither party. A panel of state auditors selects the pool of nominees from which the commissioners are appointed. This pool comprises 20 Democrats, 20 Republicans, and 20 belonging to neither party. The majority and minority leaders of both chambers of the state legislature may each remove two members from each of the aforementioned groups. The first eight commission members are selected at random from the remaining nominees. These first eight comprise three Democrats, three Republicans, and two belonging to neither party. The first eight commissioners appoint the remaining six, which must include two Democrats, two Republicans, and two belonging to neither party.

Commissioners must meet the following requirements in order to serve:

1. Members must have voted in at least two of the last three statewide elections.
2. Members cannot have switched party affiliation for at least five years.
3. "Neither commissioners nor immediate family may have been, within 10 years of appointment, a candidate for federal or state office or member of a party central committee; an officer, employee, or paid consultant to a federal or state candidate or party; a registered lobbyist or paid legislative staff; or a donor of more than $2,000 to an elected candidate."
4. Members cannot be "staff, consultants or contractors for state or federal government" while serving as commissioners. The same prohibition applies to the family of commission members.

In order to approve a redistricting plan, nine of the commission's 14 members must vote for it. These nine must include three Democrats, three Republicans, and three belonging to neither party. Maps drawn by the commission may be overturned by public referendum. In the event that a map is overturned by the public, the California Supreme Court must appoint a group to draw a new map.

The California Constitution requires that districts be contiguous. Further, the state constitution mandates that "to the extent possible, [districts] must ... preserve the geographic integrity of cities, counties, neighborhoods and communities of interest." Districts must also "encourage compactness." State Senate and Assembly districts should be nested within each other where possible.

Election administration agencies

Election agencies

Seal of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission

See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about election administration in California can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.

California County Elections offices

Click here for a list

California Secretary of State, Elections Division

1500 11th Street, 5th Floor

Sacramento, California 95814

Phone: 916-653-6814

Toll free: 1-800-345-8683

Fax: 916-653-3214

Email: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/contact/email-elections-division

Website: http://www.sos.ca.gov/

California Fair Political Practices Commission

1102 Q Street, Suite 3050

Sacramento, California 95811

Phone: 916-322-5660

Fax: 916-322-0886

Email: Cpra@fppc.ca.gov

Website: http://www.fppc.ca.gov/

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200

Washington, DC 20001

Phone: 301-563-3919

Toll free: 1-866-747-1471

Email: clearinghouse@eac.gov

Website: https://www.eac.gov

Ballotpedia's election coverage

Click the tiles below to navigate to 2025 election coverage:

U.S. Congress special elections

Governors

Attorney general

Other state executives

State legislatures

State ballot measures

Local ballot measures

State judges

Local judges

Municipal government

School boards

Recall

Democratic primaries 2026

• United States Senate Democratic Party primaries, 2026
• United States House Democratic Party primaries, 2026
• Democratic Party gubernatorial primaries, 2026
• Democratic Party Secretary of State primaries, 2026
• Democratic Party Attorney General primaries, 2026
• State legislative Democratic primaries, 2026

Republican primaries 2026

• United States Senate Republican Party primaries, 2026
• United States House Republican Party primaries, 2026
• Republican Party gubernatorial primaries, 2026
• Republican Party Secretary of State primaries, 2026
• Republican Party Attorney General primaries, 2026
• State legislative Republican primaries, 2026

See also

• State of Election Administration Legislation Reports
• Factors affecting the speed of ballot counting and delivery of unofficial election results
• Voting in California
• Ballot access requirements for political candidates in California
• Redistricting in California

Elections in California

• California elections, 2025
• California elections, 2024
• California elections, 2023
• California elections, 2022
• California elections, 2021
• California elections, 2020
• California elections, 2019
• California elections, 2018
• California elections, 2017
• California elections, 2016
• California elections, 2015
• California elections, 2014

External links

• California Secretary of State - Elections