California 2026 elections

Political landscape in California

Overview

California occupies the western edge of the United States. Oregon lies along its northern border, Nevada on the east, Arizona on the southeast and Mexico's Baja California on the south, with the Pacific Ocean forming its western coast. It has the largest population of any state, at more than 39 million, and ranks third in land area. Sacramento is the capital, and Los Angeles is the largest city and the second most populous in the nation; Greater Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area rank second and fifth among the nation's combined statistical areas. Spanish colonization followed European exploration, the area joined Mexico in 1821, and the United States acquired it in 1848, the same year the gold rush began. California entered the Union in 1850 as the 31st state, admitted as a free state under the Compromise of 1850. Its economy leads all states in size and ranks first worldwide among sub-national economies, with an agricultural industry that tops the nation in output, the nation's busiest port at Los Angeles, the Hollywood film industry and the technology hub of Silicon Valley.

Officeholders

As of October 2026, the governor of California is Gavin Newsom (Democratic), and the state's US senators are Alex Padilla (Democratic) and Adam Schiff (Democratic).

2026 elections

On November 3, 2026, voters in California will decide the race for governor, contests in 52 US House districts and 15 ballot measures. Statewide propositions cover subjects including an affordable housing bond, a permanent tax on high earners, public campaign financing, recall election reform and voter identification, and voters in Los Angeles and Oakland will also elect mayors.