last-minute voter – With California’s primary election on June 2, voters have options for returning vote-by-mail ballots, deadlines for counting, and ways to check registration and ballot status. The guide also points to the governor’s race to replace Gavin Newsom and the contest
For the third time in a week. the question comes up at kitchen tables and in office break rooms: “Did I do it right—and is it too late?” California’s primary election is on June 2. and the clock is running for anyone still trying to sort out vote-by-mail returns. registration status. and what exactly is on the ballot.
Statewide. the focus is on California’s governor’s race. a tight contest between Democrats and Republicans to replace Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is serving his second term and cannot run again. The field includes a Riverside County Sheriff. a former senior advisor to British Prime Minister David Cameron. a former Los Angeles mayor. a billionaire hedge fund founder. and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In Los Angeles, incumbent Karen Bass is seeking reelection in the city mayoral race against a lineup that includes a reality TV personality, a tech entrepreneur, a City Council member, and a progressive community leader.
Beyond those races, the ballot includes several contests, ballot measures, local district seats, and statewide races. For county voters. there are also local congressional district seats to decide: City of Los Angeles residents have multiple items to consider. and County of Los Angeles residents will be asked to vote on six local congressional district seats and other statewide races.
California’s primary is also governed by an open-primary system. Under that model, the top two candidates who receive the most votes move on to the November general election no matter what party they belong to—even if that means two candidates from the same party advance.
If you’re voting by mail, there’s still time, but the rules are strict. You can return your vote-by-mail ballot by dropping it off in the return envelope at a secure official drop box now through the close of polls on June 2. You can also drop it off in person at a polling place. vote center. or county elections office by 8 p.m. on June 2. Another option is to mail it.
The postmark matters. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before election day and received no later than 7 days after election day. To ensure your ballot is postmarked by election day, mail it at least five days before June 2. If you mail on election day. you need a hand-stamped postmark from a postal employee at a United States Post Office.
The deadline to return a vote-by-mail ballot is clear for counting: ballots must be postmarked on or before June 2 and received by your county elections office by June 9.
Still not sure whether you’re eligible to vote, or whether you’re already registered? The California secretary of state’s website can tell you. To check registration, you enter a California driver’s license or identification number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you need a paper option, the state’s voter hotline is available in 10 languages at (800) 345-8683. The hotline can also mail a paper application to you. You can pick one up at a county election office. most California libraries. and United States Post Office locations. as well as many federal. state. and local government offices—including the Department of Motor Vehicles.
If you registered online, officials say you should wait at least 24 hours before checking your voter status.
The deadline to register to vote was May 18. But there is a backstop: you can register as a conditional voter through the same-day voter registration process. Eligible citizens who need to register or reregister to vote within 14 days of an election can complete this process to register and vote at county elections offices. polling places. or vote centers.
To find an early voting location, use the secretary of state search tool. To find local polling places, use the same tool described for polling locations. After your registration is verified, your submitted ballot will be processed and counted.
Checking voter status also requires details from your record: you’ll use the California secretary of state website and provide your full name, date of birth, state driver’s license or identification card number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
For drop boxes, secure ballot drop-off locations opened May 5. The guide points voters to the Los Angeles County Office of the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s website to find a ballot box near you.
Once your ballot is cast, you can track it once it’s been submitted—using the tracking link included in the voter guide.
The final message is simple, even if it feels complicated in the moment: double-check your registration, follow the postmark and receipt deadlines for vote-by-mail ballots, and use the state and county tools to confirm your ballot is on its way and being counted.
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