Elections
California 2026 Primary Election: Date, Rules & What to Know
The California 2026 congressional primary is June 2, 2026. General Election Day is November 3, 2026.
Last updated April 30, 2026 · Source: Ballotpedia
Primary Election · June 2, 2026
General Election · November 3, 2026
What's on the California 2026 Ballot
U.S. House of Representatives
All U.S. House seats in California are on the 2026 ballot. Every House member runs for re-election every two years. View California representatives →
U.S. Senate
California's Senate seats are not on the ballot in 2026. Senate seats rotate on a six-year cycle — California's senators are in Class I or Class III, which are up in 2024/2030 and 2022/2028 respectively. Learn about Senate classes →
California's Primary System: Top-Two (Jungle) Primary
California uses a "top-two" (or "jungle") primary system. All candidates from all parties — Democrat, Republican, independent, and third-party — appear on a single primary ballot. Every registered voter participates in the same primary. The two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the November general election, regardless of party. This means two candidates of the same party can face each other in November.
California 2026 Election Key Dates
| June 2, 2026 | Primary Election |
| October 2026 | Voter registration deadlines (check your state) |
| November 3, 2026 | General Election |
| January 3, 2027 | 120th Congress convenes |
Voter Registration in California
All registered voters see all candidates on a single ballot. The top two vote-getters advance to the November general election, regardless of party. Registration deadlines vary — most states require registration 15–30 days before the primary, though some offer same-day registration.
Check your registration status and find your polling place at vote.gov.
See All State Primary Dates
Compare California's primary to other states' 2026 schedules.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the California primary election in 2026?
The California 2026 congressional primary is June 2, 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026.
Can I vote in the California primary if I'm not registered with a party?
All registered voters see all candidates on a single ballot. The top two vote-getters advance to the November general election, regardless of party.
What is on the California 2026 primary ballot?
All U.S. House seats in California are on the 2026 primary ballot. California's U.S. Senate seats are not up for election in 2026. Most states also hold primaries for governor and state legislature on the same day.
What type of primary does California use?
California uses a "top-two" (or "jungle") primary system. All candidates from all parties — Democrat, Republican, independent, and third-party — appear on a single primary ballot. Every registered voter participates in the same primary. The two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the November general election, regardless of party. This means two candidates of the same party can face each other in November.
When is the California voter registration deadline for the 2026 primary?
Voter registration deadlines vary but are typically 15–30 days before the primary. Check the California Secretary of State website or vote.gov for the exact deadline.
When is the California general election in 2026?
The 2026 general election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. This date is the same for all 50 states — it is always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.