The California Elections Division has released the official calendar of important milestones for the June 2, 2026 Primary Election. Below are the key dates voters and candidates should be aware of.
Key Dates and Deadlines:
Preparation Period
- December 11, 2025 – February 4, 2026: Signatures-In-Lieu of Filing Fee period for voter-nominated offices.
- January 22, 2026: Last day for ballot propositions to qualify for inclusion.
- January 30, 2026: Deadline to submit Proposition Ballot Title and Summary for the Voter Information Guide.
- February 3, 2026: Deadline to submit arguments for and against ballot propositions.
- February 8, 2026: Deadline for argument exchange and final selection.
Candidate Filing Period
- February 9 – March 6, 2026: Declaration of candidacy and nomination paper filing period for voter-nominated offices.
- February 11, 2026: Final day to submit candidate statements for statewide constitutional offices.
- February 12, 2026: Deadline for proposition text, analysis, and rebuttals.
- February 17 – March 9, 2026: Voter Information Guide available for public examination.
Final Steps
- March 6, 2026: Deadline for gubernatorial candidates to file tax returns.
- March 7 – March 11, 2026: Extension period for candidacy filing if incumbent does not file.
- March 12, 2026: Alphabet drawing to determine ballot order.
- March 26, 2026: Certified list of candidates published; voters can check registration status.
Voting and Participation
- April 3, 2026: Online Voter Information Guide available.
- April 6 – May 19, 2026: Write-in candidacy filing period.
- May 4, 2026: Vote-by-mail ballots sent out; early voting begins.
- May 5 – June 2, 2026: Ballot drop-off locations open.
- May 18, 2026: Last day to register to vote.
- May 19 – June 2, 2026: Same Day Registration available at polling places.
- May 23, 2026: Vote Centers open in Voter’s Choice Act counties.
- June 2, 2026 (Tuesday): Election Day – Polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; vote counting begins.
After the Election
- June 9, 2026: Deadline for vote-by-mail ballots to be received (must be postmarked by Election Day).
- July 2, 2026: Deadline for counties to certify results.
- July 10, 2026: Secretary of State certifies the Statement of the Vote.
- July 13, 2026: Certificates of Nomination issued.
- November 7, 2026: Official Supplement to the Statement of the Vote released.
🔗 More information is available on the official website: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections
To check your registration status: My Voter Status
