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Voter Game Plan
Orange County 2026 Primary Election
Key 2026 dates
- April 23 – May 12
Voter information goes out from the state and counties. - May 4
Mail-in ballots sent to voters by this date. Vote centers open. Find vote centers for Orange County. - May 5
Ballot drop boxes must be open. Find locations for Orange County. - May 18
Last day to register online to vote. Register here. - June 2: Primary election day
If your vote-by-mail ballot is postmarked by election day and received within seven days, it will be counted. Track your ballot here. - July 10
All primary results final. - Nov. 3
General election day
LAist reporters are hard at work on voter guides for the 2026 midterm primary.
We know Southern Californians have come to rely on LAist for fact-based information that helps voters cast ballots confident that their choices align with their point of view.
We're not here to tell you how to vote. We are committed to making sure you understand the jobs to be done for each elected office and the candidates running — including judges — and the issues underpinning ballot initiatives.
Our voter guides will start rolling out ahead of your mail-in ballot arriving in your mailbox. Let us know about specific issues you want to know more about.
Orange County voter guides
LAist is helping you cast your ballot in dozens of races in Southern California, including the always-hard-to-choose judges. Our guides will cover local, county, state and federal elections, including the O.C. Board of Supervisors and the O.C. Board of Education.
Check back for more guides coming daily.
Check back for more guides coming daily.
What questions do you have about this election?
You ask, and we'll answer: Whether it's about who's funding the campaigns or how to track your ballot, we're here to help you understand the 2026 election
Latest Election News
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California's second-in-command has little power beyond serving on higher ed boards. These candidates want the job anyway — and say they can lower tuition. -
As schools age, the requests for modernization funding exceed the funding available. -
Bass, who currently serves as the mayor of L.A., covered topics ranging from her homelessness approach to city infrastructure.Listen 28:25 -
Shirley Weber says accuracy matters more than speed. Her GOP challenger says the delays undermine trust. It could take a month to certify June's results. -
In a chaotic debate Tuesday night in Pomona, Democrats targeted Steyer and Becerra and everyone sought a breakout moment. No one broke out of the pack. -
Mayor Karen Bass told LAist’s AirTalk the plan will address potholes, streetlights and more. -
The massive LED screens have divided locals and sparked a legal fight between the city and the owners of SoFi Stadium and other venues. -
It's a big job to regulate the nation's largest property and casualty insurance market for homeowners, businesses, renters and drivers. -
We look at how the candidates stack up when it comes to the money. -
Check our Voter Game Plan for more on local races. -
Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra faced repeated criticism during a debate as the California gubernatorial candidates tried to distinguish themselves ahead of the primary. -
The woman was trying to send a political message about voter ID. Now, she faces jail time.Listen 0:42
About California's new congressional districts
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The ruling denies a request by California Republicans and the Trump administration for a preliminary injunction blocking the maps created by Proposition 50. -
The vote isn't certified yet, but a lot has happened since Election Day. -
Statewide turnout was 50%. It was lower in L.A. County and higher in Orange County.
