Guidelines for Timing Your Mail-In Vote in the California Primary

Sun, 03 May 2026 17:32:00 +0200

California voters are receiving their mail-in ballots for the June 2 primary, with more than 23 million ballots mailed to active registered voters. The gubernatorial race features a wide field of candidates, including Republican Chad Bianco and Democrat Katie Porter, along with elections for seven other statewide offices, congressional and local races, and the Los Angeles mayoral primary. Campaign strategists offer differing advice: Democratic strategist Paul Maslin encourages voters who are certain about their choices to mail their ballots immediately, while Republican strategist Rob Stutzman suggests waiting to see further developments in this dynamic and relatively unknown candidate field. Kim Alexander of the California Voter Foundation advises a middle path, recommending ballots be mailed by May 26 to ensure timely processing or dropped off in person by May 30. In-person voting remains available statewide until 8 p.m. on election day, except in three rural counties that conduct el