Still haven’t voted? Here’s our last-minute guide to the 2026 California election

There's still time to cast your ballot (and make sure it counts!). Read our guide for more coverage and voting tips.

Published on October 30, 2026

Updated on October 30, 2026 11:40 am

by Annie Biebl

A voter drops off a ballot at a voting center at the California Museum in Downtown Sacramento on June 2, 2026.

Denis Akbari

Abridged version:

There’s still time to do your homework before Election Day. Check out Abridged by PBS KVIE’s 2026 Voter Guide to look up your ballot by address and learn more about local races and candidates.
Several key races are on the ballot, including the California governor’s race between Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton; congressional contests between Kevin Kiley and Richard Pan, and Doris Matsui and Mai Vang; and the Sacramento County supervisor race between Eric Guerra and Flojaune Cofer.
The last day to cast your ballot in person, by mail or at a drop box is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polling locations are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, and your vote will be counted as long as you’re in line by 8 p.m.

Election Day is almost here, and voters in the Sacramento region have plenty of decisions to make. Whether you’re still researching candidates or figuring out where to drop off your ballot, here’s what to know before Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Want to know what’s on your ballot? Abridged by PBS KVIE’s 2026 Voter Guide will get you up to speed on local candidates, ballot measures and the races you’ll be voting on.

What’s the last day to vote?

When and where can I drop off my mail-in ballot?

Can I still register to vote?

How can I track my ballot?

What are the key races in the Sacramento region?

More key races to watch

Five tax measures, plenty to unpack

California ballot propositions explained

What’s the last day to vote?

You can drop off your mail-in ballot at a ballot drop box or any open voting center in your area until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

If you lost your ballot or did not receive one, you can still cast a vote in-person at polling locations. Be in line by 8 p.m. to make sure your vote counts.

If you’re not registered to vote, you can cast a provisional ballot, which will only be counted after your eligibility is verified.

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When and where can I drop off my mail-in ballot?

Ballot drop boxes are open now and will stay open until 8 p.m. on Election Day. Some locations are open 24 hours, while others are only accessible during business hours.

To find a voting center near you, use the California Secretary of State’s polling location search tool. As long as you’re in line by 8 p.m., your vote will be counted.

Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by your county elections office by Nov. 10. Since Election Day is close, dropping your ballot off in person is the safer option.

If you mail it on Nov. 3, the Secretary of State recommends asking a postal employee for a manual postmark.

Can I still register to vote?

Yes. California offers conditional voter registration through Election Day. Eligible voters who missed the Oct. 19 registration deadline can register and cast a provisional ballot at their county elections office or a polling site. Your ballot will be counted once your registration is verified.

How can I track my ballot?

You can sign up for the California Secretary of State’s ballot lookup tool to receive updates by text, call or email as your ballot moves through the process. You can also check your registration and ballot status through the Secretary of State.

What are the key races in the Sacramento region?

The following are the races in Sacramento, Yolo, Placer and El Dorado counties that Abridged is watching most closely.

Abridged will publish more in-depth reporting on these races and candidates, along with election results as they come in.

Ahead of Election Day, we sent questionnaires to candidates in local races to give voters a chance to hear directly from them. Check out their responses in Abridged’s 2026 Voter Guide by looking up your ballot.

California governor

Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton offer different approaches to the state’s biggest challenges. Becerra, a former state attorney general and U.S. health secretary, leans on his decades of public service and stances against the Trump administration, while promising to address affordability, housing costs and rising insurance and utility rates.

Hilton, a former Fox News host and political adviser endorsed by President Donald Trump, has campaigned on cutting taxes and regulations, expanding oil production and lowering gas and electricity costs. He has also pledged to eliminate the DMV.

The candidates have also differed on immigration, with Becerra criticizing aggressive federal enforcement and Hilton calling for stronger border security. See where Becerra and Hilton stand on climate, healthcare, artificial intelligence, water management and homelessness.

U.S. House California District 7

Longtime U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui and Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang, both Democrats, are competing for California’s 7th Congressional District seat, which represents Sacramento, Elk Grove and surrounding areas. Vang, who pulled ahead of Matsui in the primary, has called for a new generation of leadership and a stronger response to federal immigration policies. Matsui, who has served in Congress since 2005, is running on her experience of bringing federal funding to the region.

U.S. House California District 6

The race for California’s 6th Congressional District pits Rep. Kevin Kiley, who switched his party affiliation from Republican to independent after Proposition 50 redistricting maps were approved, against Dr. Richard Pan, a Democrat, pediatrician and former state senator. Pan emphasizes his background in public health and experience in the state Legislature, saying he wants to hold the Trump administration accountable on issues like healthcare and immigration. Kiley touts his nearly four years in Congress, his decision to leave the Republican party and his focus on lowering costs and putting constituents before partisan politics. The two have also taken different positions on the economy, healthcare and the role of federal agencies.

Want to hear directly from the candidates? Read more from Abridged on the District 6 race and watch candidate interviews on Studio Sacramento here.

Sacramento County supervisor — District 1

The race to replace longtime Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna features two familiar faces in local politics: Sacramento City Councilmember Eric Guerra and public health expert Flojaune Cofer, who narrowly lost the race for Sacramento mayor in 2024.

Both candidates say homelessness is a top priority, but they differ in how they would approach the issue and work with city and county leaders. Guerra points to his 11-year track record on the Sacramento City Council and his work in building community partnerships, while Cofer is running on her two decades of experience in public health, arguing that the county needs more accessible, responsive leadership and a stronger focus on social services.

Read more from Abridged about the candidates and their positions here.

Rancho Cordova City Council — District 5

The Rancho Cordova City Council race in District 5 features three candidates with different ideas about the city’s future. Longtime Councilmember Linda Budge is seeking her seventh term, pointing to her decades of experience and role in shaping the city. Her challengers, Planning Commission Chair Tegan Mauldin and local business owner Lilia Darbinyan, are calling for a new generation of leadership.

Want to learn more about the candidates and their priorities? Find Abridged coverage of the District 5 race here.

School bond measures

School districts throughout the Sacramento region are asking voters to approve bond measures to help pay for aging buildings, leaky roofs, outdated plumbing and classroom upgrades. Six measures are on the ballots in parts of Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties, including a $1.1 billion proposal from the Los Rios Community College District.

If approved, the bonds would allow districts to borrow money for facility improvements, with the debt repaid through property taxes. The cost to homeowners would vary by district and the money could only be used for school facilities, not everyday operating expenses.

More key races to watch

Yolo County

Woodland City Council — District 1
Yolo County Supervisor — District 3
Measure W — Willowgrove development in Davis
Measure X — Yolo County Transient Occupancy tax

Placer County

Statewide explainers from CalMatters

Five tax measures, plenty to unpack

California voters are facing five statewide tax measures, the most on a ballot since 1994. The propositions range from a one-time tax on billionaires and making higher income taxes for top earners permanent to banning future wealth taxes and making it harder to pass certain local taxes.

Two other measures would change how the state manages revenue raised through future taxes. The measures raise three big questions: whether California should tax billionaires, how much higher earners should pay and how difficult it should be to approve new taxes.