While the Golden State’s Democratic lean in presidential races is well known, California has several districts that make the state crucial this year in determining which party will control the U.S. House of Representatives.
Additionally, voters will elect a new U.S. Senator, decide on several ballot measures and consider a number of local elections.
You need to know:
When is the election?
Election Day is November 5. But in California, it’s actually election month, as ballots are being sent by mail to all of the state’s 22.2 million registered voters. These have to be sent out by October 7.
What are voters deciding?
The presidential race between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Trump is at the top of the ticket and is getting the most attention. Californians will also decide whether they want Democratic Rep. Adam B. Schiff of Burbank or Republican former Dodgers star Steve Garvey to take the Senate seat that was held for decades by Democrat Dianne Feinstein, who died last year.
Because California’s statewide electorate leans heavily Democratic — no Republican has won statewide since 2006 — these contests are not very competitive.
But California could determine control of CongressTen House races in the state have been rated competitive by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, with the most competitive districts in Orange, Los Angeles and Riverside counties and the Central Valley. The Republican and Democratic parties and outside groups are spending millions of dollars in the state trying to influence these contests.
Voters will also consider this 10 statewide ballot measures,
The most controversial is Proposition 36, which would increase penalties for certain theft and drug-related crimesAn effort to roll back parts of a former voter-approved ballot measure, Proposition 47, that aimed to reduce overcrowding in prisons by reducing some serious crimes to minor offenses. Many law enforcement officials have blamed that 2014 initiative for a rise in homelessness and crime in California.
Voters will also be asked to Raise the state’s minimum wage to $18 an hour with Proposition 32, and the signing of two $10 billion bonds – one to build and modernize K-12 schools and community colleges (Proposition 2) and another responding to climate change with funding for flood control and fire protection (Proposition 4,
Other statewide measures include asking voters to affirm the right to gay marriage, limit forced labor in prisons, make permanent a tax on managed health care plans that is set to expire in 2026, and tax health care providers — especially AIDS Healthcare Foundation — Can spend revenues from prescription drugs.
Voters will elect 100 state legislators to represent them in Sacramento — 80 Assembly members and half of the 40 members of the state Senate. Democrats are likely to retain veto-proof supermajorities in both chambers, but voters are set to send several newcomers to the Legislature this year because of an unusually large number of elections taking place without an incumbent.
What about Los Angeles County and LA City races?
Los Angeles County residents will choose from among municipal, judicial and school board candidates.
The contest drawing the most attention is between incumbent Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón and challenger Nathan Hochman – Referendum on criminal justice policy,
Voters will also be asked whether Doubling the county’s quarter-cent homeless sales tax which is set to expire in 2027 (Measure H). If approved, the new tax, which would fund affordable housing, rental assistance and programs that help prevent and reduce homelessness, would remain in effect until repealed by voters.
Proposal Increasing the number of members of the County Board of Supervisors from five to nine and electing a county executive officer (Measure G) are also on the ballot.
In the City of Los Angeles, voters will be asked whether to create an independent redistricting commission for the Los Angeles City Council (Charter Amendment DD) and the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education (Charter Amendment LL), which Audio leaked of city leaders making racist comments They discussed redrawing district boundaries. The charter amendment would also strengthen the Ethics Commission (Charter Amendment ER).
There are also three City Council races on the ballot, including a contest between former state Assemblywoman Adrin Nazarian and small business owner Jillian Burgos to replace City Council President Paul Krekorian, who has been in office for 15 years. Council members Kevin de Leon, who was among the city leaders caught making derogatory comments in leaked audio, and Heather Hutt, who was appointed to replace Mark Ridley-Thomas after he was indicted and later convicted in a federal corruption case, are running for re-election against challengers Ysabel J. Jurado, a tenants’ rights advocate, and Grace Yu, an attorney and neighborhood council member, respectively.
How do I check if I’m registered to vote?
Californians can check their status online with their driver’s license or state ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number Here,
Can I still register to vote?
The deadline to register to vote is October 21. You can register online Here,
Paper applications are available at county elections offices, libraries, the DMV or post offices. You can also request one by mail by calling (800) 345-VOTE(8683) or emailing . Elections Division StaffPaper applications must be submitted by mail or to a county elections office 15 days before the election, which is Oct. 21.
Those who fail to meet the deadline can register as a conditional voter. Information on how to register can be found here Here,
Where can I find a voter guide?
States and counties will send the guide to every registered voter. You can view the state-issued guide online Here,
Can I vote if I don’t have a permanent address?
Homeless people, those without electricity and others without a permanent address are eligible to vote, provided they are U.S. citizens and California residents, are over 18, are not in prison for a serious crime and have not been deemed mentally incompetent by a court.
People without permanent addresses can obtain voting materials from shelters, P.O. boxes, and businesses, though they cannot register to vote with P.O. boxes or business addresses.
Voters displaced by wildfires You can have your mail ballot sent to another address by calling or visiting your county elections office. registertovote.ca.govEven if they arrange for mail forwarding with the Postal Service, their mail ballots will not be forwarded until their address is changed with elections officials.
Every voter has the right to vote in person on election day.
