California voters head to the polls Tuesday for the state’s primary election, kicking off the race for November’s general election. While many have already cast ballots by mail, millions more are expected to vote in person as they weigh in on races for governor, Congress, local offices and ballot measures. Here’s what you need to know.
Polling place near me: How do I find my polling place?
California voters can find their polling place, voting center, ballot drop box, or same-day voter registration location through the California Secretary of State’s online lookup tool. Voters can also check their registration status and election information by checking their status online before heading out to vote.
What time do polling places close?
Polling places and vote centers across California close at 8 p.m. As long as a voter is in line by 8 p.m., he or she is entitled to cast a ballot. Vote-by-mail ballots can also be returned at vote centers, polling places, and official drop boxes until the same deadline.
Why does it take so long to count the votes in California?
California’s vote count often stretches beyond Election Day because officials must verify signatures, process millions of vote-by-mail ballots, and conduct required audits before certifying results.
State law gives county election officials up to 30 days after an election to complete the official canvass, count every valid ballot, and perform post-election checks to ensure accuracy.
When will results come in?
Initial election results begin appearing shortly after the polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, but those numbers are unofficial and can change as additional ballots are processed.
Because California accepts vote-by-mail ballots that can be postmarked by Election Day and received later, final results in close races may not be known for days or even weeks.
How does California’s top-two primary system work?
California uses a top-two primary system for most stateside, congressional and legislative races. Under the system, all candidates appear on the same ballot regardless of political party.
The two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the general election in November, even if they belong to the same party.
What do I need to bring to vote in California?
Most California voters do not need to show identification when voting in person. However, some first-time voters who registered by mail and did not provide a driver’s license number, state ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number may be asked to present identification.
Acceptable forms of identification include a passport, driver’s license, official state ID, or a student ID with your name and photograph. You can also use a recent utility bill, a sample ballot booklet from your county elections office, or any other document sent to you by a government agency.
If you received a vote-by-mail ballot and decide to vote in person instead, election officials recommend bringing your ballot with you to the polling place or vote center.
Voters can find additional election resources, including polling locations and ballot information, through the California Secretary of State’s office.
