This guide was first published by CalMatters. It has been adapted and translated by Viet Fact Check, with permission.
The General Election is on November 3, 2026. California voters will choose a new governor, elect state leaders, and decide on 14 propositions to change state law.
The choice for governor is between Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton. Becerra wants to lower housing prices, freeze insurance and utility rates, and address the high cost of living. Hilton wants to suspend California’s climate policies and cut income taxes for the wealthy and middle class.
Another important race is for insurance commissioner. This role regulates California’s property and casualty insurance market, affecting all residents and the state’s economy. Learn about the two candidates using CalMatters’s insurance commissioner quiz.
14 propositions are on the ballot, including whether to tax billionaires, fund public education, require voter identification, and build affordable housing. Take CalMatters’s proposition quiz to see which choices match your views.
Here is our breakdown of CalMatters’s 2026 voting guide, which explains how to vote, who the key candidates are, and what each proposition means.
How to Vote
Key Dates
- OCT 5 – Ballots mailed to every registered voter
- OCT 6 – Secure ballot drop-off boxes open
- OCT 19 – Last day to register to vote online (or update your address) to receive a ballot by mail. Same Day Voter Registration opens.
- OCT 27 – Last recommended day to mail your ballot so that it is postmarked by Election Day
- OCT 31 – Early in-person voting locations open
- NOV 3 – ELECTION DAY (Polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
How can I register to vote?
Register Online. Register to vote or update your address by October 19 to receive a ballot in the mail. You can also check your voter registration or update your information online.
Same Day Voter Registration. After October 19, you can still register and vote in person at a county elections office, polling place, or voting center. Your ballot will be counted once the county verifies your registration.
Special Circumstances. If you are in the military, overseas, or a voter with disabilities, contact your county elections office for more options.
How can I vote by mail?
County election officials will begin mailing ballots to every registered voter by October 5. County elections offices provide translated ballots and election materials in many languages, including Vietnamese.
You can return completed ballots via mail right away. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day.
The California Secretary of State recommends mailing your ballot by October 27 to ensure it is counted in time, though it is best to vote as early as possible. If you mail your ballot on Election Day, get a handstamped postmark from a United States Postal Service employee.
You can also return mail-in ballots at a secure drop box, voting center, or county elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
How can I vote in person?
Some early in-person voting centers will open on October 31, at least one per county.
On Election Day, voting centers will open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting centers provide translated ballots and election materials in many languages, including Vietnamese.
Find an in-person voting location by:
- Checking online
- Texting “VOTE” to GOVOTE (468-8683)
- Calling the Secretary of State’s hotline at (800) 345-VOTE
- Contacting your county elections office
What if I have another question?
Read all the questions CalMatters has answered about voting, or ask your own. You can also contact your county elections office, or ask for help at a voting center.
The Secretary of State’s toll-free voter hotline offers assistance in ten languages, including Vietnamese.
- English: (800) 345-VOTE (8683)
- Vietnamese: (800) 339-8163
Los Angeles County’s language assistance hotline supports 23 languages, including Vietnamese.
- General Language Assistance: (800) 815-2666, option 3
- Vietnamese: 213-358-2206
Propositions
14 propositions are on the ballot to change state law, addressing major issues that affect all Californians.
The most contentious fight is over Proposition 40, a one-time 5% tax on billionaires to fund public healthcare and education. The proposal has divided Democrats and sparked national attention, including from Google co-founder Sergey Brin and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Business and tech executives have raised over $205 million to campaign against it, and put two countermeasures on the ballot, Propositions 41 and 42. If Propositions 41 or 42 get more votes than Proposition 40, then Proposition 40 will be nullified, even if it passes.
Take CalMatters’s proposition quiz to see which choices match your views.
- Proposition 1 – Housing Bond
- Proposition 2 – Rainy Day Fund
- Proposition 3 – High-Income Tax
- Proposition 4 – Public Fundraising
- Proposition 5 – Recall Reform
- Proposition 37 – Homebuyers Loan
- Proposition 38 – Research Bond
- Proposition 39 – Voter ID
- Proposition 40 – Billionaire Tax
- Proposition 41 – Tax Audits
- Proposition 42 – Property Taxes
- Proposition 43 – Tax Threshold
- Proposition 44 – Clinic Funding
- Proposition 45 – Environmental Review
Proposition 1 – Housing Bond
Summary: Voting YES for Proposition 1 would allow the state to sell $11.25 billion in bonds to fund various affordable housing programs.
| Support | Oppose |
| • Would fund 40,000 multifamily rental units and help another 40,000 households buy a home • Builds housing for low and middle-income families, veterans, seniors, students, farmworkers, people with disabilities, essential workers, and more • Does not add any new taxes | • Does not address the underlying reasons that housing is so expensive to build |
| Key Endorsements: California Democratic Party, Gov. Gavin Newsom, the California Apartment Association, AFL-CIO California | Key Opponents: Some Republican state lawmakers |
Proposition 2 – Rainy Day Fund
Summary: Voting YES for Proposition 2 would increase California’s Rainy Day Fund. The state would be able to deposit 20% of its general fund tax revenue into reserves. The current limit is 10%.
| Support | Oppose |
| • Reserves can fund education, health care, public safety, and essential services during economic downturns • The state would be able to save more during economic booms | • Politicians can use reserves as a “slush fund” • Lawmakers could withhold more tax revenue |
| Key Endorsements: California Democratic Party, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Legislative Democrats | Key Opponents: Reform California, Legislative Republicans |
Proposition 3 – High-Income Tax
Summary: Voting YES on Proposition 3 would make permanent an existing tax on the wealthy that funds public education. The tax was enacted in 2012 and is set to expire in 2031. It raises $5 to $15 billion a year from individuals earning over $360,000 (adjusted for inflation).
| Support | Oppose |
| • The tax is a vital source of revenue for public schools and community colleges • Loss of revenue will likely lead to layoffs, program cuts, and other reductions | • May encourage some wealthy Californians to leave for states with lower taxes |
| Key Endorsements: California Teachers Association, California School Employees Association, California State PTA, California Democratic Party, California Medical Association | Key Opponents: California Taxpayers AssociationReform California |
Proposition 4 – Public Fundraising
Summary: Voting YES on Proposition 4 would allow California’s state and local governments to establish public campaign funds for candidates.
| Support | Oppose |
| • Helps curb the influence of private money in politics • Encourages candidates without significant financial backing to run for public office • Empowers small donors • California is the only U.S. state that bans this practice | • Would cost the state a few hundred thousand dollars each year • Taxpayers may be subsidizing political candidates they do not want to support |
| Key Endorsements: California Common Cause, California Clean Money Campaign, League of Women Voters, California Democratic Party | Key Opponents: California Taxpayers Association, Reform California |
Proposition 5 – Recall Reform
Summary: Voting YES on Proposition 5 would change the way voters elect replacements for recalled state officials. Currently, voters elect replacement at the same time as the recall election. Proposition 5 would create a separate special election to elect replacements.
| Support | Oppose |
| • Focuses recall elections on whether the elected official should be removed, not who should replace them • Helps reduce “political gamesmanship” that may elevate candidates who wouldn’t otherwise receive a majority of votes | • Allows recalled officials to run again in the special election, potentially giving them more protection • Some voters may be dissuaded from participating in special elections |
| Key Endorsements: California Common Cause, California Democratic Party, League of Women Voters, Indivisible CA: StateStrong | Key Opponents: Election Integrity Project California, Inc., California Republican Party, Reform California |
Proposition 37 – Homebuyers Loan
Summary: Voting YES on Proposition 37 would create a low-cost mortgage program for Californians. California’s Housing Finance Agency would be able to borrow up to $25 billion from private investors to help low and middle-income buyers afford a mortgage.
| Support | Oppose |
| • The program could provide up to 17% of a home’s purchase price, leaving buyers with a typical cash down payment of 3% • Does not add any new taxes • Private lenders are on the hook if buyers default, not taxpayers | • Does not address the underlying reasons that housing is so expensive to build • More people will be able to buy homes, but they will also be in more debt |
| Key Endorsements: California Democratic Party, Xavier Becerra, California Association of Realtors, California Conference of Carpenters, SEIU | Key Opponents: League of Women Voters, Reform California |
Proposition 38 – Research Bond
Summary: Voting YES on Proposition 38 would create an $8.4 billion bond to fund research into fighting cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and other diseases treated through immunotherapies.
| Support | Oppose |
| • The potential for cures is huge, since most diseases involve the immune system • Californians would get a 20% discount on drugs created from this research, and revenue would go back to the state general fund • Funding is needed, since the Trump administration has cut federal health science research | • Focuses on one subset of biomedical research instead of a wider range • Half the money goes to just one research institute affiliated with the University of California |
| Key Endorsements: American Association of Immunologists, California Democratic Party, City of Hope, Michelson Center for Public Policy | Key Opponents: Stanford researcher Robert M. Kaplan Ph.D., California Health Policy Strategies, League of Women Voters, Orange County Register Editorial Board |
Proposition 39 – Voter ID
Summary: Voting YES on Proposition 39 would require California voters to show a government-issued ID every time they vote. Mail-in ballots would require the last four digits of a government ID number.
| Support | Oppose |
| • Would strengthen voters’ trust in the election process • Most states require some form of ID to vote | • Some eligible voters may not have a driver’s license or other supporting documents • Disproportionately affects people who are low-income, have recently moved, or have disabilities • Californians are already required to provide an ID card and Social Security number to register to vote • Could cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars a year to implement |
| Key Endorsements: California Republican Party, Reform California, Uline CEO Richard Uihlein | Key Opponents: American Civil Liberties Union, Common Cause, League of Women Voters, California Democratic Party |
Proposition 40 – Billionaire Tax
Summary: Voting YES on Proposition 40 would enact a one-time 5% tax on billionaires to fund public healthcare and education. The tax is expected to raise $100 billion over five years from individuals whose net worth exceeds $1 billion, an estimated 200 Californians.
Two countermeasures, Propositions 41 and 42, are on the ballot to stop this proposal. Propositions 41 and 42 limit California’s ability to pass new special taxes. If either get more votes than Proposition 40, then Proposition 40 will be nullified, even if it passes.
| Support | Oppose |
| • Billionaires have already benefited the most from recent federal tax cuts • Funding is needed, since the Trump administration slashed tens of billions of dollars from public healthcare • Lack of funding will cost thousands of jobs and cause hospitals and clinics to close • Does not tax pensions and retirement accounts, despite misleading advertisements from opponents | • May encourage some wealthy Californians to leave for states with lower taxes • The state may face challenges calculating the value of billionaires’ assets, which include stocks, investment accounts, business interests, and physical assets like cars and art collections • Does not address the long-term fiscal challenges of funding healthcare |
| Key Endorsements: SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, Teamsters California, AFSCME California, California Democratic Party, California Labor Federation | Key Opponents: California Business Roundtable, California Medical Association, California Teachers Association, Planned Parenthood, California Professional Firefighters |
Proposition 41 – Tax Audits
Summary: Voting YES on Proposition 41 would make it harder for California to pass new special tax proposals. New special taxes would be reviewed by the state auditor before they appear on the ballot, and count toward California’s spending limit.
If Propositions 41 or 42 get more votes than Proposition 40, then Proposition 40 will be nullified, even if it passes.
| Support | Oppose |
| • The state auditor would assess whether taxes are being spent wisely • The spending limit helps trigger more refunds for taxpayers | • Prop. 41 was designed to block Prop. 40 from being passed and help billionaires avoid paying taxes • Being subject to the spending limit reduces funding for state programs |
| Key Endorsements: Reform California, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Chairman and CEO of Wonderful Company foods Stewart Resnick | Key Opponents: U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, California Democratic Party |
Proposition 42 – Property Taxes
Summary: Voting YES on Proposition 42 would make it much harder to create a wealth tax in California by banning new taxes on the ownership of assets.
If Propositions 41 or 42 get more votes than Proposition 40, then Proposition 40 will be nullified, even if it passes.
| Support | Oppose |
| • The state may face challenges calculating the value of assets, which include stocks, investment accounts, business interests, and physical assets like cars and art collections | • Prop. 42 was designed to block Prop. 40 from being passed and help billionaires avoid paying taxes • Advertising is misleading, with supporters falsely claiming that middle-class workers’ pensions and retirement accounts will be taxed |
| Key Endorsements: Reform California, Building a Better California, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Peace Officers Research Association of California, California Professional Firefighters, State Building and Construction Trades Council of California | Key Opponents: U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, California Democratic Party |
Proposition 43 – Tax Threshold
Summary: Voting YES on Proposition 43 would make it harder for voters to impose or increase local taxes. Voter-proposed tax initiatives would need a two-thirds majority vote to pass. They currently need a simple majority (50%).
| Support | Oppose |
| • Special interest groups may exploit the simple majority threshold to pass special taxes during low-turnout elections | • Would limit voters’ ability to raise needed revenue for local services • Would make it easier for special interest groups to block tax initiatives that the majority of voters support |
| Key Endorsements: Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, Reform California | Key Opponents: California Democratic Party, SEIU-Local 1000 |
Proposition 44 – Clinic Funding
Summary: Voting YES on Proposition 44 would require community health clinics that serve low-income patients to spend 90% of their revenue on patient care.
| Support | Oppose |
| • Clinics would have to spend more on patient care, and less on executive pay | • Clinics are already heavily regulated by the state and federal governments • Would cost clinics more than $1.7 billion in noncompliance fees in the first year • High penalties may force some clinics to close or significantly reduce services |
| Key Endorsements: SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West | Key Opponents: California Primary Care Association, California Medical Association, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, California Hospital Association, California Democratic Party |
Proposition 45 – Environmental Review
Summary: Voting YES on Proposition 45 would speed up environmental reviews for housing and infrastructure. Environmental reviews would have a 365-day limit. Lawsuits related to the environmental review would have to be decided on within 270 days.
| Support | Oppose |
| • Developers would be able to advance “essential” projects more quickly and easily, including roads, bridges, housing, schools, broadband and wildfire mitigation • Delays in reviewing projects can increase costs that are passed down to taxpayers | • Weakens California’s environmental review law, which protects communities from potentially harmful developments • Long-term costs of poor planning will be passed onto agencies and taxpayers |
| Key Endorsements: California Chamber of Commerce, California Republican Party, California Hospital Association, California Children’s Hospital Association | Key Opponents: California Labor Federation, California Democratic Party, National Wildlife Federation, Californians Against Waste, Clean Water Action |
State Offices
Governor
The California governor is the state’s most powerful elected official, commanding a $300 billion budget and shaping policy for 39 million residents. The role has heavy national influence and is seen as a launching pad for presidential ambitions.
The Democratic candidate is Xavier Becerra, an attorney and former U.S. Health secretary under President Joe Biden. He represented Los Angeles in Congress for over two decades and was California’s Attorney General from 2017 to 2021.
The Republican candidate is Steve Hilton, a conservative political commentator and senior advisor for the former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron. He moved to California in 2012 and co-founded a Silicon Valley political crowdfunding platform. He hosted a Fox News show, The Next Revolution, from 2017 to 2023.
| Candidate | Xavier Becerra | Steve Hilton |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Economy | • Wants to lower housing prices to address the high cost of living • Plans to freeze insurance and utility rates | • Supports business deregulation • Wants to curb labor and environmental laws used to sue businesses • Would end environmental mandates that make companies purchase green energy |
| Taxes | • Supports a progressive income tax system • Opposes Proposition 40 (a wealth tax on billionaires) • Supports Proposition 3 (extending a tax on the wealthy to fund public education) | • Wants to eliminate state income tax on the first $150,000 of earnings and make the income tax a flat rate above that • Opposes Proposition 40 (a wealth tax on billionaires) |
| Housing | • Would declare a state of emergency to fund 40,000 approved affordable housing units • Would push cities to zone more residential land for apartments, duplexes, and condos • Wants to prevent large corporations from buying homes en masse | • Favors suburban developments over city apartment projects • Wants to reduce fees and regulations on the development of smaller single-family homes • Wants to prevent people, companies, and unions from suing to stop construction with the California Environmental Quality Act |
| Homelessness | • Would create a state fund to pay for rental assistance and other services • Said people should not be allowed to voluntarily stay on the street, but has not endorsed police involvement | • Believes police should be involved in clearing homeless encampments • Wants to overhaul state spending on homelessness • Wants to fund sober housing instead of shelters that accept everyone |
| Climate | • Supports California’s clean energy goals, but is open to revising them to make gas and energy more affordable | • Wants to roll back California’s clean energy rules and allow more natural gas production |
| Justice | • Supports California’s sanctuary law that limits police cooperation with ICE • Supported California’s tougher-on-crime 2024 ballot measure to increase criminal penalties for certain drug and theft offenses • Supports giving defendants court-mandated drug treatments to avoid jail time | • Wants to overturn California’s sanctuary law that limits police cooperation with ICE • Would loosen anti-discrimination laws that prevent police from stopping people on the street • Would re-open closed state prisons and reduce the practice of early release for good behavior |
| Healthcare | • Supports extending state coverage to as many residents as possible • Would lower costs by cutting insurance companies’ administrative spending | • Wants to end California’s state-provided MediCal coverage for undocumented immigrants • Wants to allow more insurers into the market |
| Tech & AI | • Wants California and tech companies to track the economic and workforce impact of AI • Supports banning children under 16 from social media | • Wants to reduce regulations and keep the AI industry growing • Is concerned about children using social media, but has not backed any restrictions |
| Endorsements | • California Faculty Association • Equality California • Planned Parenthood California | • President Donald Trump • Nisei Farmers League • Israeli-American Civic Action Network |
Lieutenant Governor
The lieutenant governor assumes the governor’s responsibilities if there is an absence or vacancy. They are president of the state Senate and sit on California’s higher education boards.
| Candidate | Fiona Ma | Gloria Romero |
|---|---|---|
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • California’s state treasurer since 2019 • Served four terms in the state Legislature and was on the Board of Equalization | • Served 12 years in the state Legislature as a Democrat • Became a registered Republican in 2024 after disagreeing with policies related to education, COVID-19, and gender identity |
| Endorsements | • California Labor Federation • California Teachers Association • State Building and Construction Trades Council | • California Republican Party • Reform California |
Secretary of State
The secretary of state oversees all of California’s elections. They certify candidates and ballot initiatives, and ensure votes are properly counted. Their office also handles corporate business filings.
| Candidate | Shirley N. Weber (Incumbent) | Donald P. (Don) Wagner |
|---|---|---|
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • California’s first Black secretary of state since 2021 • Oversaw the state’s implementation of mail-in voting during first term • Wants to expand voting access, improve election transparency, and enhance cybersecurity protections during second term | • Orange County supervisor since 2019 • Former mayor of Irvine • Supports requiring voter ID at the polls • Criticized California’s COVID-19 response, election integrity, and investment in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs |
| Endorsements | • California Democratic Party • California Federation of Teachers • SEIU California | • California Republican Party • Reform California • California Republican Assembly |
Attorney General
The attorney general carries out the governor’s law enforcement directives. The job touches almost every facet of life in California, from the environment to consumer protections.
| Candidate | Rob Bonta (Incumbent) | Michael E. Gates |
|---|---|---|
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • California’s attorney general since 2021 • Enforced laws requiring cities to build new housing | • Former Huntington Beach city attorney • Fought against laws to build more affordable housing |
| Endorsements | • California Democratic Party • California Teachers Association • California Environmental Voters | • California Republican Party • California Parents Union • California Rifle & Pistol Association |
Controller
The controller is California’s chief accountant. They oversee spending, audit state finances, and pay government employees.
| Candidate | Malia M. Cohen (Incumbent) | Herb W. Morgan |
|---|---|---|
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • California state controller since 2023 • Promises to govern with “transparency, efficiency, and fairness” | • Retired Chief Investment Officer • Wants to expose fraud in government alongside President Trump’s fraud accusations against California |
| Endorsements | • California Democratic Party • California Labor Federation • Equality California | • California Republican Party • California Republican Assembly • Unity Party of California |
Treasurer
The treasurer is California’s chief banker. They manage unspent taxpayer money, oversee borrowing and debts, and can influence financial policy.
| Candidate | Eleni Kounalakis | Jennifer Hawks |
|---|---|---|
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • California’s lieutenant governor since 2019 • Regularly voted against tuition increases for California State Universities | • Retired Silicon Valley businessperson • Local Republican party activist • Served on the executive team of a private Bay Area Catholic school |
| Endorsements | • California Labor Federation • Teamsters California • National Union of Healthcare Workers | • California Republican Party • California Republican Assembly • Reform California |
Superintendent
The superintendent of public instruction can promote policies that affect California’s public school students. The role has limited authority, since local school districts largely control their own budget and curriculum. Many of the superintendent’s duties will be transferred to the state school board as of 2027.
| Candidate | Richard Barrera | Sonja Shaw |
|---|---|---|
| Party | None | None |
| Description | • President of the San Diego Unified School Board • Wants to boost school funding and early childhood education | • President of the Chino Valley School Board • Supports shifting away from “radical ideologies” in the classroom • Outspoken opponent of protections for transgender students |
| Endorsements | • California Teachers Association • United Domestic Workers • California Charter School Advocates | • California Republican Party • Moms for Liberty • California Rifle and Pistol Association |
Board of Equalization
The Board of Equalization advises county assessors, hears some taxpayer appeals, and sets the taxable value of property owned by utilities and railroads. The board consists of the state controller and four elected members representing geographic districts.
Look up who’s running in your Board of Equalization district.
| District 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Nelson Esparza | Shannon Grove |
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • Fresno city councilmember since 2019 | • State senator since 2018 |
| Endorsements | • California Democratic Party • California Labor Federation • California School Employees Association | • Reform California • California Republican Assembly • Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association |
| District 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Sally J. Lieber (Incumbent) | John Pimentel |
| Party | Democrat | Democrat |
| Description | • Board of Equalization member since 2023 | • San Mateo County Community College District Board of Trustees member |
| Endorsements | • California Democratic Party • SEIU California • California Teachers Association | • Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association |
| District 3 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Mike Gipson | Samuel P. Sukaton |
| Party | Democrat | Democrat |
| Description | • State assemblymember since 2022 | • Labor union organizer |
| Endorsements | • California Democratic Party • California Labor Federation • California Teachers Association | • None |
| District 4 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Tom Umberg | Denis Bilodeau |
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • State senator since 2018 | • Orange city councilmember since 2000 |
| Endorsements | • SEIU California • California Teachers Association • Equality California | • California Republican Party • Reform California • Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association |
Insurance Commissioner
The insurance commissioner regulates California’s property and casualty insurance market, including homeowners and auto. The market has been in distress since California’s wildfire risk has grown, and insurers have pulled back from writing policies.
The two candidates are Ben Allen, a state senator since 2014, and Jane Kim, a former San Francisco supervisor. Both are Democrats.
Learn more about the candidates using CalMatters’s insurance commissioner quiz.
| Candidate | Ben Allen | Jane Kim |
|---|---|---|
| Home Insurance | • Thinks neighborhoods should improve at the community level to reduce risk and become more insurable | • Wants to improve home insurance availability by tying it to insurers’ ability to sell auto insurance |
| Auto Insurance | • Against expanding eligibility for California’s low-cost auto insurance program | • Wants to expand eligibility for California’s low-cost auto insurance program |
| Insurance Claims | • Would make insurers provide real-time reports of claims and delays • Would add staff to handle consumer complaints | • Wants to freeze rates when a policyholder files a claim • Wants to penalize insurers for denying claims • Would create a public dashboard that shows insurers’ records on claims |
| Natural Disasters | • Wants to stop developers from building in areas of high fire risk • Would encourage people to move away from high-risk areas | • Thinks developers shouldn’t build in high-risk areas, but says it is inevitable that more areas will eventually be high risk • Wants to establish a state fund to guarantee coverage for natural disasters |
| Endorsements | • California Environmental Voters • California Professional Firefighters • Sierra Club • California Democratic Party | • SEIU California • California Teachers Association • California Faculty Association • California Labor Federation |
Supreme Court Justices
California Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor, but voters decide whether they keep their job. The first vote is in the election after their appointment. They then face a retention election every 12 years. Getting voted out is extremely rare, happening only once in 1986.
Two associate justices are on the ballot in 2026. Voters can choose “yes” or “no” for each candidate.
| Candidate | Kelli M. Evans |
|---|---|
| Description | • Appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2022 • Newsom’s former chief deputy on legal affairs • Former Alameda County Superior Court judge, civil rights attorney, public defender, and senior director at the California State Bar |
| Candidate | Joshua Groban |
|---|---|
| Description | • Appointed by former Gov. Jerry Brown in 2018 • Brown’s former senior policy advisor • Worked in private practice, specializing in antitrust cases and intellectual property |
Legislatures
U.S. House of Representatives
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives run for election every two years. In 2026, all of California’s 52 seats are on the ballot. Find out who’s running in your congressional district here.
Democrats and Republicans are fighting closely for control of the House. President Trump called on other states to redraw their congressional districts in 2025 and help Republicans retain a slim three-seat majority.
In response, California voters approved Proposition 50 last year to redraw state maps, potentially giving more seats to Democrats. Highly watched races include District 13, District 22, and District 48.
| District 13 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area: Portions of San Joaquin, Merced, Stanislaus, Madera, and Fresno counties | ||
| Candidate | Adam Gray (incumbent) | Kevin Lincoln |
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • Flipped the seat in 2024 by a razor-thin margin | Former Stockton mayor |
| Endorsements | • California Democratic Party • California Farm Bureau • Planned Parenthood Action Fund | • California Republican Party • Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association • Reform California |
| District 22 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area: Portions of Kings, Tulare, Fresno, and Kern counties | ||
| Candidate | Randy Villegas | Rep. David Valadao (incumbent) |
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • Visalia School Board member and college professor | • U.S. Representative since 2023 |
| Endorsements | • California Teachers Association • Working Families Party • National Nurses United | • California Republican Party |
| District 48 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area: Portions of San Diego county | ||
| Candidate | Marni von Wilpert | Jim Desmond |
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • San Diego Councilmember since 2020 | • San Diego County Supervisor since 2019 |
| Endorsements | • EMILYs List • California Teachers Association • SEIU California | • Republican Party of San Diego County • Reform California • President Donald Trump |
State Senate
California has 40 state senators who serve four-year terms. Half of them face reelection every two years, putting 20 districts on the ballot in 2026. Find out who’s running in your state Senate district here.
Several districts could help Republicans chip away at the Democratic supermajority. Highly watched races include District 14, District 16, and District 40.
| District 14 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area: Portions of Merced, Madera, and Fresno counties | ||
| Candidate | Esmeralda Soria | Darin DuPont |
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • State assemblymember since 2022 | • Merced city councilmember since 2024 |
| Endorsements | • California Democratic Party • SEIU California | • Reform California |
| District 16 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area: Portions of Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Kern counties | ||
| Candidate | Melissa Hurtado (incumbent) | Guillermo Gonzalez |
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • Won the seat by only 13 votes in 2022, and is the only Democrat to represent a state Senate district that President Trump won in 2024 | • Small business owner and former aide to Rep. David Valadao |
| Endorsements | • California Democratic Party • SEIU California • Equality California | • California Republican Party • California Republican Assembly • California Hispanic Legislative Caucus |
| District 40 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area: Portions of San Diego County | ||
| Candidate | Mara Elliott | Kristie Bruce-Lane |
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • Former San Diego city attorney | • Businesswoman |
| Endorsements | • California Democratic Party • California Teachers Association • SEIU California | • Reform California • California College Republicans |
State Assembly
California state Assembly members are up for election every two years. In 2026, all 80 districts are on the ballot. Find out who’s running in your state Assembly district here.
Democrats and Republicans are competing for recently flipped seats. Some of the highly watched races include District 7, District 47, District 58, and District 74.
| District 7 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area: Portions of northeast Sacramento County | ||
| Candidate | Amy Slavensky | Josh Hoover (incumbent) |
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • Retired teacher and superintendent | • State assemblymember since 2022 |
| Endorsements | • California Teachers Association • SEIU California • California Labor Federation | • California Republican Party • Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association • California Correctional Peace Officers Association |
| District 47 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area: Portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties | ||
| Candidate | Leila Namvar | Greg Wallis (incumbent) |
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • Former local labor leader and city planner | • Narrowly won the seat by 85 votes in 2022 |
| Endorsements | • California Labor Federation • SEIU California • California Faculty Association | • California Correctional Peace Officers Association • California Police Chiefs Association • Peace Officers Research Association of California |
| District 58 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area: Portions of San Bernardino and Riverside counties | ||
| Candidate | Clarissa Cervantes | Leticia Castillo (incumbent) |
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • Riverside city councilmember since 2021 | • Flipped the seat by 596 votes against Cervantes in 2024 |
| Endorsements | • California Democratic Party • SEIU California • California Labor Federation | • California Republican Party • California Professional Firefighters |
| District 74 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area: Portions of Orange and San Diego counties | ||
| Candidate | Sergio Farias | Laurie Davies (incumbent) |
| Party | Democrat | Republican |
| Description | • San Juan Capistrano councilmember since 2016 | • State assemblymember since 2020 |
| Endorsements | • California Democratic Party • California Teachers Association • SEIU California | • California Republican Party • Peace Officers Research Association California • Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association |