Presidential Election
For the first time, California's Presidential Primary is being held in March rather than June. The date was changed with the hope that an earlier primary would allow California voters to have a greater voice in selecting Presidential candidates.
Competitive Presidential primaries are being held for four of California's eight parties. Democrat, Republican, Libertarian and Peace & Freedom. The American Independent, Green and Natural Law parties have only one candidate running, and their primaries are therefore uncontested. The Reform party did not field a presidential candidate in California.
Candidate List and Web Pages. Below is a list of Presidential candidates, sorted by political party, appearing on the California Primary ballot, featuring links to candidates' web pages. You may only vote for candidates who are running for the nomination of the party to which you are registered. If you are registered Independent or Decline to State, or if you are registered to a party that is not qualified in California, you may not participate in the Presidential Primary (note: Proposition 198 would significantly change California's primary election process).
Campaign Finance Data. Several Internet sites are also featuring campaign finance information about the Presidential candidates. Here's some of the best:
- Federal Elections Commission's web page
- Center for Public Integrity's "The Buying of the President"
- FEC's Guide to Supporting Federal Candidates
Questions and Answers. Several organizations have posed questions to the Presidential candidates. Take a look at:
- Easy Reader Voter Guide
- AARP's Presidential Voters Guide
- Project Vote Smart's National Political Awareness Test
- San Diego Union Tribune's Republican National Convention page
Misc. PoliticsUSA is publishing a schedule that you can check to see if the candidates are coming to your town....confused about the Electoral College? Check out this guide from Bill Kimberling at the FEC....and, for everything you want to know about the White House, we suggest the Library of Congress' collection of sites.
There are many other sites on the Internet featuring information on the presidential election, and most of these sites have extensive links to other related sites. Here's a few to get you started:
Presidential Candidates
American Independent Party Candidates
Peace and Freedom Party Candidates
* denotes incumbent candidate
