Election day is next week. Have you voted yet?
If you’re reading this, chances are the answer to this is “no.” Don’t worry, the Sacramento Bee is here to help you fulfill your civic duty at a fashionably late hour.
Here’s everything you need to know before you vote:
What am I voting on?
The big race everyone will be watching, of course, is the presidential battle between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump. Harris is widely expected to win California.
You’ll also have the chance to vote for your choice for California’s next junior U.S. Senator – a choice between Republican former baseball player Steve Garvey and Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff.
Then there are the races for the U.S. House of Representatives, Senate, State Assembly, local races and, oh yeah, ten statewide ballot initiatives.
There’s no shortage of things to vote for this election. Do you need help with that? Check out The Sacramento Bee Voter Guide for detailed race descriptions and endorsements.
When should I vote?
The best answer is now. But you do have until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, to hand in your ballot at a voting center. Otherwise, you must mail in your ballot, postmark it by November 5, and receive it by November 12 in order for it to be counted.
You can track your ballot once it has been mailed. Here’s how.
Who are the candidates?
As mentioned, the main candidates for president are Harris and Trump.
Harris is a former San Francisco district attorney, attorney general and U.S. senator. For the past four years, her position has been vice president. Trump is a famous real estate developer whose only experience in public service was serving as President of the US from 2017 to 2021.
The latest survey from the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California shows Harris leading Trump, with 59% of likely voters backing her.
In the race for the US Senate, Garvey, a political outsider, is pitted against Schiff, a political insider. The two men disagreed on several issues, including support for Trump — Garvey voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, while Schiff helped lead the first impeachment of Trump.
The PPIC shows that likely voters strongly prefer Schiff over Garvey, 63% to 37%.
What are the problems?
The ballot in this year’s California general election includes 10 measures for voters to decide. Here’s a quick overview of what they do.
Proposition 2 authorizes a $10 billion bond to pay for the construction and renovation of K-12 school facilities in the state.
Proposition 3 repeals the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Proposition 4 authorizes a $10 billion bond to finance a variety of projects, including environmental protection efforts and wildfire prevention.
Proposition 5 lowers the voting threshold for local bond measures to finance affordable housing and public infrastructure from two-thirds to 55%.
Proposition 6 prohibits incarcerated people from being forced into involuntary servitude.
Proposition 32 would increase the state’s minimum wage from $15 to $18 per hour.
Proposition 33 would give local governments more authority to implement rent control measures.
Proposition 34 would require health care providers to spend 98% of revenue from the federal prescription drug rebate program on patient care.
Proposition 35 would authorize a tax on managed care organizations to pay for Medi-Cal programs.
Proposition 36 would reinstate penalties for certain drug- and theft-related crimes.
How do I check my voter registration?
Easy, just visit this website.
Please note that although the October 21 deadline to register for the general election has passed, you can still conditionally register to vote. Just visit the county election office or local polling place. In California, people can vote even if they register on Election Day.
How can I vote in Sacramento County?
You can take your ballot to one of the drop-off locations, or visit a voting center if you need assistance, such as requesting a new ballot. For more information, call the Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections Office at 916-875-6451.
How can I vote in Placer County?
A list of ballot box locations can be found here. For more information, call the Placer County Office of Elections at 530-886-5650.
How can I vote in El Dorado County?
The province has a number of voter centers and voting locations. For more information, call the El Dorado County Elections Office in Placerville at 530-621-7480 or, from El Dorado Hills, 916-358-3555, ext. 7480. The South Lake Tahoe office can be reached at 530-573-7955, ext. 7480.
How can I vote in Yolo County?
Information about voting centers and voting locations can be found here. For more information about elections in Yolo County, please call 530-666-8133.
Who tells the truth?
▪ Trump wants to cut taxes on Social Security benefits. But does that mean lower benefits?
▪ Who Would Kamala Harris’ Tax Plan Benefit? How she wants to tax different income groups
▪ California can ban forced labor in prisons. What is involuntary servitude actually like?
▪ Ads claim that the California congressman wants to ban abortion without exception. Here is his record
▪ Ad Check: Would this California Republican support an abortion ban in the race for Congress?
▪ On “Call Her Daddy,” Kamala Harris said the majority of abortion seekers are mothers. Is that true?
▪ Kamala Harris says Trump’s economic plan will cost middle-class households $4,000. Is she right?
▪ Trump wants taxpayers to deduct interest on car loans. Who would benefit from it?
▪ Trump is coming to California as his campaign criticizes the state’s economy. Are they accurate?
▪ A mass deportation of immigrants by Donald Trump would cost hundreds of billions, the report says
▪ Donald Trump’s campaign has falsely said that violent crime is on the rise. Here’s what the data actually shows
▪ Kamala Harris touts big growth in manufacturing jobs under Joe Biden. Is that true?
▪ JD Vance says undocumented immigrants are ‘major drivers’ of higher home prices. WHERE?
▪ Kamala Harris said she has long been in favor of legalizing marijuana. Which her record in California shows
▪ Trump says if he is elected president, he will get gasoline prices below $2 a gallon. Is that possible?
▪ Donald Trump wants to restore major tax breaks. Would it help wealthy Californians?
▪ Donald Trump and Kamala Harris both say food costs too much. What can they do about it?
▪ Donald Trump calls Kamala Harris the ‘worst vice president’ ever. Where is she?
▪ Did Joe Biden preside over the “worst inflation” ever, as Trump claimed in the debate?
▪ Donald Trump says he can stabilize prices. Does his plan make any sense?
▪ Kamala Harris says she will cut taxes for the middle class. Is that realistic?
