CONCORD, CA — The statewide primary election is Tuesday. Whether you're planning to return a mail ballot or vote in person, here's what you need to know before casting your vote.
In California, the top two vote-getters in the primary — regardless of party preference — advance to the November general election.
There are more than 60 candidates running for governor in what has been one of the most chaotic gubernatorial races California has seen in decades.
Down-ballot, voters will weigh in on congressional races. Thanks largely to the naked gerrymandering of Proposition 50 passed by Golden State voters last year in a rebuke of President Donald Trump, 2026 is shaping up to be a slog for the California GOP, according to the polls.
Closer to home, voters will cast ballots in several local races.
District 10 Rep. Mark DeSaulnier faces six challengers for the seat he took in 2015.
Challengers include Katherine Piccinini, who describes her foundation as "God, Family, Life, and Country. She ended with 33.5 percent of votes in 2024. She also ran in 2022.
Currently, DeSaulnier has an election coffer with 29 times more to spend than current and former rival, Piccinini.
As of March 31, DeSaulnier's receipts totaled $490,825. Piccinini during the same period showed receipt totals of $16,683, according to campaign finance records.
The candidates include:
John Gioia – Incumbent unopposed
Ken Carlson – Incumbent unopposed
It's not every day that a county race for assessor is competitive. In Contra Costa County, it's not even every decade. For the past 3 decades, the Gus Kramer has filled the role. Now he is retiring and the seat is opening up for the first time in 30 years.
Three candidates are competing:
If no one gets over 50 percent in the June primary, the top two will advance to a November runoff.
Two candidate are running in the primary for Contra Costa County Auditor-Controller.
The clerk-recorder oversees elections, voter registration, and official records in the county. This year is a head-to-head race:
Voters will be asked to decide on whether to continue the county’s long‑standing policy to contain growth and protect farmland and open space and to consider a temporary county‑wide sales tax. They are also being asked to vote on whether to renew the district’s parcel tax that generates about $10 million annually that funds libraries, athletics, counselors and programs in West Contra Costa schools.
Congressional races across California were also under intense scrutiny following voter approval of Proposition 50, a partisan redistricting measure expected to reshape the state’s political map. Democrats are targeting several Republican-held seats as they seek to overturn the GOP’s slim House majority.
One of the most closely watched contests is in Southern California’s 40th District, where longtime Republican Rep. Ken Calvert faces fellow Republican Rep. Young Kim after redistricting combined portions of the Inland Empire and Orange County. The bitter campaign featured both candidates accusing the other of disloyalty to Trump.
In Northern California, the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s former 1st District is expected to favor Democrats after district boundaries shifted west and south, while Sacramento-area District 6 and Central Valley District 22 are also expected to be fiercely contested.
In Southern California’s newly redrawn 48th District, longtime Republican Rep. Darrell Issa opted to retire rather than seek reelection in a district that now leans Democratic. Republican San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond entered the race with Issa’s endorsement but faced a crowded field of Democratic and Republican challengers in a district spanning parts of San Diego and Riverside counties.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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