California Online Voter Guide

June 2012 Primary Election
21st 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 presidential candidates, congressional candidates, state legislative candidates, and statewide ballot measures.

About This Election

California's Primary Election is Tuesday, June 5.

• Polls are open 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

• 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

• Last day to Register to Vote - May 21

• First day to Request a Vote by Mail Ballot - May 6

• First day Vote-by-Mail ballots are sent to voters - May 7

• Last day to Request a Vote by Mail Ballot - May 29

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 two 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 contact information for state and federal candidates and statewide ballot measures; for additional information, as well as lnformation about local contests, 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 Primary Election

Under California's new "Top Two Open Primary" system, voters registered with a political party can only choose among candidates for president and party central committees who are registered with the same party. Independent voters (now called "No Party Preference" voters) have the option of voting in the Democratic and American Independent Party's Presidential primary contests. All voters, whether registered with a party or not, will be allowed to vote for any candidate of any party in congressional and legislative contests. In these contests, the top two vote getters will proceed to the General election, even if they are of the same party. Click here for more information from the Secretary of State.

New Political Districts

Legislative and congressional candidates are running in new political districts drawn by the first time by the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Images of the new maps are available online (be sure to scroll down).

Official Sample Ballots and Voter Guides

If you are registered to vote at your current address, your county elections office will mail you an Official Sample Ballot providing your polling place location, a Vote By Mail ballot application and information on all of the contests on your ballot. In addition, the Secretary of State mails out the Voter Information Guide covering statewide propositions and contests. 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:

• 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

• Maplight's Voter Guide on ballot propositions

• 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 from the Secretary of State

• Project Vote Smart’s candidate information

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 May 6, 2012 | Last updated on May 6, 2012
Copyright California Voter Foundation, All Rights Reserved.