By Bo Tefu | California Black Media
California voters will head to the polls on June 2, 2026, after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation last week declaring the date of the state’s next statewide direct primary election.
The announcement, released on Jan. 5, formally sets the election in accordance with state law and outlines the offices that will appear on the ballot. The primary will determine candidates for California’s top executive, legislative and congressional races ahead of the November general election.
Under the proclamation, voters will cast ballots for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, controller, treasurer, attorney general, insurance commissioner and state superintendent of public instruction, as well as members of the State Board of Equalization from each of the state’s four districts.
California’s full congressional delegation will be on the primary ballot, with candidates running in each of the state’s 52 U.S. House districts. Legislative races will include state Senate seats from even-numbered districts and all 80 Assembly seats.
“I, Gavin Newsom, Governor of the State of California, pursuant to California law, including without limitation, section 12000 of the Elections Code, proclaim and order that a Statewide Direct Primary Election will be held throughout this State on Tuesday, the 2nd day of June 2026,” Newsom announced in an official proclamation.
The primary will also include contests for county, judicial and other offices as provided by law. In addition, voters may be asked to decide on proposed constitutional amendments, ballot propositions and other questions that are required to be submitted under state law.
California operates under a top-two primary system, meaning all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, appear on the same primary ballot. The two candidates who receive the most votes in each race advance to the general election, even if both belong to the same political party.
