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Key 2026 dates
| Oct. 5 | Deadline for counties to start sending mail-in ballots. Early voting sites open. |
| Oct. 19 | Last day to register to vote. (You can still conditionally register to vote beyond this date, but you must do it in person. Check your registration status here.) |
| Oct. 24 | Select Vote Centers open across Los Angeles and Orange County for in-person voting. (See LAVote.gov and OCVote.gov for locations.) |
| Late October | To make sure your ballot is postmarked by Election Day, election officials recommend mailing it at least 7 days in advance. |
| Oct. 31 | All Vote Centers open across L.A. and O.C. |
| Nov. 3 | Election Day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
Nov. 10 | Final day for ballots postmarked on or before Election Day to be received by county election officials. |
How to track your ballot: https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/
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Orange County voter guides
Statewide
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We asked local and statewide candidates what “affordable childcare” means and how they can make it happen.
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The U.S. Department of Justice has threatened California with possible legal action over what it says are noncitizens believed to have received mail ballots.
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Several Los Angeles County school districts and two cities are asking voters to approve additional taxes to fund education.
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The planning process in LA is currently fragmented. This measure aims to simplify the process
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The race for state insurance commissioner hinges on a pivotal question: Can the private market help us adapt to climate disasters?
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The Take Back Inglewood campaign is the latest sign Butts’ ties to SoFi Stadium owner Stan Kroenke are unraveling.
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With three weeks until the election, here is what voters said to Councilmember Nithya Raman and Mayor Karen Bass.
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California’s upcoming gubernatorial election includes a potentially monumental feat: Xavier Becerra could become California’s first Latino governor in over 150 years.
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From the signature on your envelope to what happens if you make a mistake on your ballot, here's how to correctly cast your vote in the 2026 California midterm elections.
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CalMatters asked California governor candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton how they’d manage conflicts over water.
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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.
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The vote isn't certified yet, but a lot has happened since Election Day.
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Statewide turnout was 50%. It was lower in L.A. County and higher in Orange County.