U.S. ELECTIONS
Sample ballot in California: The issues and candidates you can vote on by county on Nov. 5
November is a defining month for California voters as they head to the polls to decide on statewide and local races, including ten propositions.
November is shaping up to be a defining month for California voters as they head to the polls to decide on statewide and local races, including key propositions on issues from water conservation to minimum wage hikes and criminal justice reform. It’s a packed ballot, but with each county in California hosting its own array of candidates and measures, here’s a closer look at what to expect in the Golden State come Election Day on November 5.
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The U.S. Senate: A Key Seat Up for Grabs
California voters will face two Senate races on the ballot. The first race, for a partial term, will determine who fills out the remainder of the late Dianne Feinstein’s term. The other, a full-term race, will select the senator to represent California in Washington for the next six years, starting in 2025. Democrat Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey, a former MLB star, are head-to-head in both races after a competitive primary. This Senate seat could influence the national balance of power, as the Senate’s composition hangs in the balance.
Key House Races
Several congressional districts are seeing tight races across California, with incumbents defending seats and challengers bringing fresh perspectives.
State Assembly Race in District 6
With ten candidates vying for the seat, the District 6 State Assembly race has been one of the most crowded contests in California. Democrat Maggy Krell and Republican Nikki Ellis emerged as the frontrunners after the primary. Krell, a deputy attorney general, made a name for herself through her advocacy against human trafficking, while Ellis, a longtime community member, is rallying support on issues central to small businesses and local control.
Propositions on the Ballot: What’s at Stake
Voters will have a say on 10 statewide propositions, each addressing key policy issues:
A Guide for California’s Counties
Voters in every corner of California will encounter distinct ballots shaped by their county’s unique mix of candidates and local propositions. Here’s the full list of counties where voters can expect to make critical decisions on November 5:
Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Plumas, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, Yolo, and Yuba.
Voting Made Simple
California voters have multiple options for casting their ballots this year:
With so many critical races and propositions, Californians’ votes this November will resonate well beyond state borders, setting the tone on issues from housing and labor rights to water conservation and criminal justice.