CA Primary Election Dates, Deadlines 2026: What To Know

SACRAMENTO, CA — The 2026 general election in California is just weeks away, which will determine the candidate who will succeed Gavin Newsom, and the fate of more than a dozen measures that could have long-term implications.

This year's gubernatorial race pits Democrat Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, against former Fox News commentator Republican Steve Hilton.

The state's June 2 primary determined the candidates advancing to November. The Secretary of State certified the primary results in July, reporting 9.45 million votes cast, or 40.8% of registered voters.

The November ballot will include elections for the state offices, 52 U.S. House seats, 20 odd-numbered State Senate districts and all 80 State Assembly districts, along with Board of Equalization and judicial contests. Local elections and measures will also appear on county and municipal ballots.

The statewide ballot includes 14 measures, including five that were placed on the ballot by the legislature and nine that qualified through the initiative process.

With the candidate list certified on Aug. 27, the campaign now enters its final stretch. California's official voter information guide is available online, and the state has already begun mailing guides to registered voters.

Key 2026 election dates in California

Here's what you need to know about the 2026 election calendar in California:

• Oct. 5: Counties must begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots to registered voters; early voting and ballot-drop locations open.
• Oct. 19: Regular voter-registration deadline for the general election.
• Oct. 20 to Nov. 3: Californians who miss the regular registration deadline can use same-day registration and vote provisionally.
• Oct. 24: Vote centers must open in counties participating in California's Voter's Choice Act, 11-day vote centers.
• Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls open statewide from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Results reporting begins after 8 p.m.

Mail-in voters in California now have a way to track their ballots to make sure their votes are counted. The California Secretary of State is now offering Where’s My Ballot? for voters to track and receive notifications on the status of their vote-by-mail ballot.

With Where’s My Ballot?, voters who sign up will receive notices via email, text, or voice message from the county elections official regarding the status of the voter's vote-by-mail ballot including:

• When the ballot has been delivered
• The date that the voter's ballot is expected to be delivered to the voter
• If the voter's ballot is returned as undeliverable to the county elections official by the USPS
• When the voter's completed ballot has been received by the county
• Whether the voter's completed ballot has been accepted or a reason why the ballot could not be accepted and instructions of steps the voter can take in order to have the ballot accepted
• The deadline for the voter to return his or her ballot if the county has not received a voter's completed ballot by specified dates as determined by the county elections official