California Online Voter Guide
November 2008 General Election
17th edition

About this guideClick on the tabs above to enter the California Online Voter Guide, a nonpartisan clearinghouse of election information and web site links. This edition covers presidential candidates, congressional candidates, state legislative candidates, and statewide ballot measures. |
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About This Election
California's General Election is Tuesday, November 4.
Voters who prefer to vote by mail can request a Vote by Mail ballot.
Unsure of your voter registration status? Looking for your polling place? Contact your county election office.
See CVF's Voting FAQ for more information about voting in California.
CVF's Map of California Voting Systems and County-by-County Directory of Voting Systems provide details about each county's voting system.
Important Dates and Deadlines
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Last day to Register to Vote - October 20
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First day to Request a Vote by Mail Ballot - October 5
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First day Vote-by-Mail ballots are sent to voters - October 6
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Last day to Request a Vote by Mail Ballot - October 28
What's on the Ballot?
Across the state, voters will choose candidates in the presidential race, 53 contests for the House of Representatives, and 100 state legislative contests (including 80 State Assembly and 20 State Senate races). Also on the ballot are twelve statewide propositions.
Depending on where you live, you may have local candidates or measures on your ballot as well. CVF's California Online Voter Guide includes information about state and federal candidates and statewide ballot measures; for information on local candidates and ballot issues CVF recommends SmartVoter.
Follow the Money 
The California Online Voter Guide identifies the top donors for and against each of the statewide propositions on the ballot. Visit CVF's "How to Follow the Money" page for information on researching state and federal campaign finances.
Voting in a General Election
Voters registered with a political party can vote for any candidate on the ballot, regardless of party affiliation. “Decline-to-State” voters can also vote for any candidate on the ballot. (This is different from primary election rules where voters are given a specific party’s ballot, or a non-partisan ballot, based on their registration.)
Official Sample Ballots and Voter Guides
If you are a registered voter, your county registrar will mail you an Official Sample Ballot providing your polling place location, a Vote By Mail ballot application and information on any local contests on your ballot. In addition, the Secretary of State mails out the Voter Information Guide covering statewide propositions. This election, the Secretary of State is also mailing voters a Supplemental Voter Information Guide covering Prop. 1A (this measure was added to the ballot after the voter guide went to print). These publications provide the basic information you need to prepare to vote; if you haven't received them, contact your county election office.
Additional Web Resources
Visit CVF's Elections index page for additional election-related resources and archived editions of the California Online Voter Guide. CVF recommends the following nonpartisan election web sites:
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Secretary of State's official Voter Information Guide
Secretary of State's My Voice, My Choice, My Vote web site
The League of Women Voter's Easy Voter Guide and SmartVoter web site
Around the Capitol's Election Track featuring up-to-date campaign contribution data
CVF and the Commonwealth Club's How To Host An Election House Party guide
Resources for military and overseas voters: www.overseasvotefoundation.org
LA Times’ interactive 2008 electoral vote map
Project Vote Smart’s interest group ratings of candidates
You Tube’s You Choose ’08 channel
Verified Voting’s Election Equipment 2008 verifier map
Was this guide helpful?
Do you have suggestions, questions, or feedback? Please contact CVF. If you found this guide helpful, please make a contribution to help support CVF's nonpartisan voter education work.
This page was first published on September
27, 2008 |
Last updated on
November 4, 2008
Copyright California Voter Foundation, All Rights Reserved.