California Election Guide: Key Races, Open Primary, and How to Vote

With Election Day upon us and the governor's race wide open, CalMatters provides a comprehensive guide for undecided voters. The deadline to return ballots is here, and many Californians still have questions.

Why are so many people running for governor? The field is unusually crowded because major Democratic figures like former Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S.

Sen. Alex Padilla chose not to run.

Early frontrunner former Rep. Eric Swalwell withdrew after sexual misconduct allegations.

The candidates include: Xavier Becerra (D), former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary; Chad Bianco (R), Riverside County Sheriff; Steve Hilton (R), former Fox News host; Matt Mahan (D), San Jose mayor; Katie Porter (D), former U.S.

representative; Tom Steyer (D), billionaire entrepreneur; Tony Thurmond (D), state superintendent of public instruction; and Antonio Villaraigosa (D), former Los Angeles mayor.

California's open primary system, established by Proposition 14 in 2010, allows the top two vote-getters to advance to November regardless of party. This year, there is a real possibility that two Democrats could advance, though earlier fears of two Republicans making the general election have subsided.

Recent polls show Becerra leading, with Hilton and Steyer in a tight race for second. A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll from May 29 showed Becerra at 25%, Hilton at 21%, and Steyer at 19%.

An Emerson College poll from May 30 had Becerra at 28%, Steyer at 22%, and Hilton at 21%.

Voters can still mail ballots if postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days. In-person voting and ballot drop-off locations are available.

County elections officials must begin reporting results on Election Night within two hours of starting to tally votes, with 30 days to finalize counts and 38 days for state certification.

Other statewide offices on the ballot include superintendent of public instruction, lieutenant governor, controller, secretary of state, treasurer, and insurance commissioner. The Board of Equalization, an elected tax board created in 1879, also has competitive races this year with three current state lawmakers running.

For more details, visit CalMatters' voter guide.