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AP19:021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2019
CONTACT:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575
TODAY: California is One Year Out from Our March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary
SACRAMENTO – One year from today, California will hold its March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary. With an earlier 2020 Primary, California voters will have a unique opportunity to shape the national discourse and the selection of presidential nominees.
“Mark your calendars — in 2020 Californians will be voting in prime time,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “We are officially just one year out from California’s March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary. With an earlier primary, California will have a more significant voice in the presidential nomination process for all political parties. California is the most populous and most diverse state in the nation and represents the largest economy of any state in the nation. Candidates for president must pay attention to the issues that matter most to California voters. You will not want to miss out on this historic election, so make sure your voter registration is up to date and you’re ready to cast a ballot in the spring of 2020.”
Californians can prepare for the upcoming primary by confirming that their registration—including political party—is up to date at VoterStatus.sos.ca.gov. California citizens who need to update their voter registration or register for the first time can do so at RegisterToVote.ca.gov.
Key Dates and Deadlines for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary
|
Certified List of Candidates |
December 26, 2019 |
|
Voter Information Guide Mailing Period |
January 23 – February 11, 2020 |
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Vote-By-Mail Ballot Mailing Period |
February 3 – February 25, 2020 |
|
Last Day to Register to Vote |
February 17, 2020 |
Expanded list of Key Dates and Deadlines
In 2017, Secretary Padilla sponsored the Prime Time Primary Act (SB 568), authored by then Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), to move the statewide primary to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March for presidential and non-presidential election years. The California primary has traditionally been held in June, at the tail end of the presidential primary schedule. The late timing has diluted California’s impact and influence in the Presidential Primary nomination process.
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