CA Presidential Primary Election - March 5, 2024

CA Presidential Primary Election - March 5, 2024

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The California Presidential Primary Election will be held on March 5, 2024. 

Every registered voter in California will receive a ballot in the mail about a month before Election Day. You can choose to return the ballot by mail, drop it off, or vote in person. 
 
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VOTE411 - Election information you need! 
VOTE411.org is the League’s one-stop-shop where you can find all the information you need to cast your ballot. It's online, easy to use, nonpartisan, and available in both English and Spanish. 

Key dates: 

  • The last day to register to vote for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary Election is February 20, 2024.
  • All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election.
  • The county elections office will begin mailing ballots by February 5, 2024.
  • Ballot drop-off locations open on February 6, 2024.
  • Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or your county elections office.
  • Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties beginning on February 24, 2024.
  • Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by March 12, 2024.

Check WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to find out where your ballot is in the process and when it has been accepted.

Party Preference - How to get the ballot you want

In 2011, California adopted the “Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act.” As a result, in elections for U.S. congressional offices, state constitutional offices and state legislative offices, all candidates are listed on one ballot and only the top two vote-getters– regardless of party preference–move on to the general election. The only elections where the list of candidates is specific to a political party are the offices of U.S. President and county central committee.

How can you be sure to get the ballot that you want? Go to contracostavote.gov to check that you are registered to vote and to see if you are registered with a political party.
  • If you are registered with a party, the presidential candidates for that party will be on your ballot.
  • If you are registered NPP (No Party Preference) your default ballot will not have presidential candidates. If you want to vote for a presidential candidate in the March 5, 2024 Primary Election, you have the following options:
    • If you want to vote in the Democratic, American Independent, or Libertarian party primaries, request a cross-over ballot for that party at Request a Cross-over Ballot Form, or print and submit an application. You DO NOT need to re-register.
    • If you want to vote in the Republican , Green, or Peace & Freedom party primaries, you MUST re-register by February 20, 2024 to get a ballot for that party. Go to registertovote.ca.gov
    • If you do not request a cross-over ballot or re-register with a party, you will receive a Primary Election ballot without any presidential candidates listed. The deadline to register to vote is Feb. 19 and the deadline to request a crossover ballot is Feb. 20. If you miss these deadlines, you can still request a conditional ballot on or before March 5 at the Registrar of Voters or at any vote center.
For more information go to the Contra Costa County Registrar of Voters website or the California Secretary of State website.
(Adapted from a Voter article by LWV Southwest Santa Clara Valley)
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Statewide Ballot Measure - Proposition 1:

There is one statewide ballot measure for the March 2024 election. Proposition 1 authorizes $6.38 billion in bonds to build mental health treatment facilities for those with mental mealth and substance use challenges and provides housing for the homeless. 

Click here for information from the League of Women Voters of California about Propostion 1, including summary, fiscal effects, and pros and cons.

More Resources:

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Find your ballot and voting information:

Enter your home address in the VOTE411 box below to see your personalized ballot and voting information. You can check your voter registration status, register to vote, see candidates and ballot issues on your personal ballot, check your election options and deadlines, and find your polling place and hours.
 
League to which this content belongs: 
Diablo Valley