California 2026 General Election

About This Race

The California 2026 General Election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect officials for statewide executive offices, including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, and Superintendent of Public Instruction. All eight constitutional offices are up for election, along with legislative and judicial positions depending on district.

Candidates

Important Dates

Election Date: November 3, 2026
Registration Deadline: October 20, 2026
Early Voting Starts: October 10, 2026
Early Voting Ends: November 2, 2026

How to Vote

To vote in California, residents must register by October 20, 2026, either online at RegisterToVote.ca.gov, by mail, or in person at their county elections office. Voters can cast ballots by mail (all active registered voters receive a ballot), in person at polling places on Election Day, or at early voting locations statewide from October 10 through November 2, 2026. No ID is required to vote unless voting for the first time in a federal election after registering by mail.

Incumbent

Democratic

Gavin Newsom

Governor of California

Biography

Incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom is seeking re-election to a third term. Previously served as Lieutenant Governor and Mayor of San Francisco, Newsom is running on a platform of climate action, healthcare access, economic equity, and protecting reproductive rights.

Campaign Website

Republican

Brian Dahle

Governor of California

Biography

Brian Dahle, a former California State Senator and Assemblymember, is challenging Governor Newsom with a focus on reducing crime, lowering taxes, improving water infrastructure, and opposing what he describes as excessive state regulation. He previously ran for governor in 2022.

Campaign Website

Updated 4 days ago

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California Bill Aims to End Spraying of Crops With Toxic “Forever Chemicals”

This story was originally published by Inside Climate News and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. California Assemblymember Nick Schultz is leading an effort to phase out the use of pesticides containing toxic “forever chemicals” to safeguard the nation’s produce. Schultz (D-Burbank), introduced AB 1603 earlier this year to ban the use, sale, and manufacture of PFAS pesticides […]

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Google News 5 days ago

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Early Success for California’s “Live Beyond” Adverse Childhood Experiences Public Awareness Campaign

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that occur before age 18. This brief describes evaluation of a California campaign to address ACEs called Live Beyond and summarizes a report of findings on campaign development and outcomes.

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Google News 6 months ago