Important Dates to Remember for the 2026 California Primary Election
Key Dates for California’s June 2 Primary Election
As the June 2 primary election approaches, California voters preparing to cast ballots for various offices—including governor, mayor, and congressional seats—should be aware of several important deadlines.
This primary will play a crucial role in determining which candidates will advance to the November general election.
Several key dates are approaching, such as the mailing of ballots, early voting periods, and voter registration deadlines. Below are critical dates to keep in mind leading up to the primary.
- April 3: The official Voter Information Guide will be available online.
- April 18: The deadline for county elections officials 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 to registered voters.
- May 4: County elections officials will begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots to all registered voters.
- May 4: Early voting sites will open across the state.
- May 5 – June 2: All counties must establish ballot drop-off locations.
- May 18: The final day to register to vote in the primary election.
- May 19 – June 2: Same-day voter registration will be available, enabling voters to cast provisional ballots.
- May 23: Vote centers in Voter’s Choice Act counties will open for early voting.
- June 2: Election Day—vote centers will operate from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters in line at 8 p.m. will still be allowed to cast their ballots.
Following the close of the vote centers, county elections officials will commence reporting election results, with updates provided throughout the evening and into the following days.
Lastly, July 2 marks the deadline for county elections offices to certify the election results.
