California Voter Foundation - February 2008 Presidential Primary Election

February 2008 Presidential Primary Election
15th Edition

About this guide

Click on the tabs above to enter the California Online Voter Guide, a nonpartisan clearinghouse of election information and web site links. This edition covers the Presidential primary candidates and statewide ballot measures, and will be updated throughout the election season.

About This Election

Election Results

California's Presidential Primary will take place Tuesday, February 5 -- the first of three statewide elections in 2008.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Voters who prefer to vote by mail can request an absentee 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.

Deadlines

Last Day to Register to Vote – January 22
First Day to Request an Absentee Ballot - January 7
Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot - January 29

What's on the Ballot?

The February presidential primary will give voters the opportunity to help select candidates seeking their party's presidential nomination. Voters will also decide on seven ballot measures related to transportation, education funding, legislative term limits, and tribal casinos.

Some California voters may have local candidates or measures on their ballot as well. Check your local county's sample ballot and the League of Women Voters' SmartVoter web site for information on local contests.

Follow the Money

This voter guide identifies the top donors for and against each statewide proposition on the ballot. To view presidential candidates' campaign finances, visit the Federal Election Commission's web site or the Center for Responsive Politics' Open Secrets web site.

New Rules for Voting in the Party Primaries

Voters who are registered as “Decline to State” and are unaffiliated with any political party should be aware of the rules adopted by parties for the presidential primaries.

There are six parties fielding candidates in this election. California voters who wish to cast ballots in the Republican, Libertarian, Green or Peace & Freedom parties' primaries must be registered to vote with those parties. The Democratic and American Independent parties will permit "Decline to State" voters to participate in their primary elections. "Decline to State" voters who wish to do so must request a partisan ballot.

For more information, please visit the Secretary of State’s Decline to State Voter Information web page or view CVF’s Voting FAQ page.

Sample Ballots

If you are a registered voter, your county registrar will mail you an Official Sample Ballot providing your polling place location, an absentee ballot application and information on any local contests on your ballot. In addition, the Secretary of State mails out Voter Information Guides covering statewide propositions. These two 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:

Secretary of State: Elections and Voter Information Page
Secretary of State: Official Voter Information Guide
Secretary of State: Official Voter Information Guide (Supplemental)
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
Check out CVF and the Commonwealth Club's How To Host An Election House Party guide

Was this guide helpful?

Do you have suggestions, questions, or feedback? Please contact CVF. If you found this guide helpful, please consider making a contribution to help support CVF's nonpartisan voter education work.