See key dates in the 2026 California primary election

Some important deadlines and dates are coming up for voters planning to cast ballots for governor, mayor, congressional seats and other elected offices in the California primary election.

The primary features several races that will determine which candidate will face off later this year in the November general election.

Some key dates in the process are coming up, including the mailing of ballots, early voting and registration deadline.

Here are some important dates to know in the run-up to the June 2 primary election.

April 3: The state’s official Voter Information Guide will be available online.
April 18: The last day for county elections officials in California to send ballots and voting materials to absent military and overseas voters who have requested them.
April 23-May 12: Voter information guides will be mailed.
May 4: County elections officials must begin mailing every registered voter a vote-by-mail ballot no later than this date.
May 4: Early voting sites open.
May 5-June 2: All counties must open ballot drop-off locations by this date.
May 18: This is a big one — the last day to register to vote in the primary election.
May 19-June 2: Same-day voter registration will be available, allowing voters to cast a provisional ballot.
May 23: Voter’s Choice Act counties will open vote centers.
June 2: Vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. stateside for Election Day. If you’re in line at 8 p.m., you can vote.

After vote centers close, county elections officials will be reporting election results. Updated results will be reported through the night and the following days.

July 2 is the last day for county elections offices to certify election results.