PRESS RELEASE

PR26-32
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
March 12, 2026
Contact: sospress@sos.ca.gov

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Announces Results of Randomized Alphabet Drawing for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election

Sacramento, Calif.– The California Secretary of State held a randomized alphabet drawing today to determine the order that candidates’ names will appear on the June 2, 2026, Primary Election ballot.

The results of today’s drawing are as follows:

  1. Q
  2. T
  3. P
  4. W
  5. Z
  6. M
  7. Y
  8. L
  9. D
  10. R
  11. H
  12. B
  13. C
  14. J
  15. X
  16. F
  17. N
  18. S
  19. A
  20. G
  21. K
  22. E
  23. U
  24. O
  25. V
  26. I

You can view a recording of the drawing here: https://www.youtube.com/live/snT3zSs_tNU?si=dVMWL1GPGJNG57ZZ

This alphabet applies throughout the candidate's name, last name first, followed, if necessary, by first name, then middle name. If more than one candidate's last name begins with the same letter, the alphabet applies to the second letter and, if needed, the third, etc., until different letters appear in the same position. For example, if two candidates with the last names Campbell and Carlson are running for the same office, their order on the ballot will depend on the order in which the letters "M" and "R" were drawn in the randomized alphabet drawing. Today’s randomized alphabet drawing was held in the Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s office in compliance with Elections Code section 13112. Staff pulled the letters in a lottery-style drawing, with witnesses from the press observing virtually.

The California Office of the Secretary of State will release the complete Certified List of Candidates no later than March 26, 2026.

Key dates and deadlines for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election can be found at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026/key-dates-and-deadlines

The complete June 2, 2026, Primary Election Calendar is available at https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/statewide-elections/2026-primary/primary-election-calendar.pdf

Randomized Alphabet Drawing event. There is a table with drawn numbers and a whiteboard with the written draw numbers.

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