Events and Updates

March 2026

Looking Forward…

2026 has gotten off to a fast-paced start. Last year, we successfully held a safe and secure Statewide Special Election. With your help using our new and improved Promote the Vote Toolkit, we were able to promote enthusiastic civic engagement and community involvement across California all the way through Election Day, and even in the days that followed!

Now, as the weather begins to warm, the snow in the mountains begins to melt, and the poppies start to bloom, we are looking forward to another exciting election season. On June 2nd, California will hold our 2026 Primary Election! With your help, we look forward to a repeat of our successes in promoting the eager civic engagement that we saw in the 2025 Statewide Special Election.

Then, on November 3rd, California will hold the 2026 General Election for the midterms. This time, you can help Californians get excited to have their voices heard on multiple ballot items including statewide initiatives, constitutional officers, and even federal positions. Together, we can use the resources we have worked together to curate to help ensure an informed and enthusiastic group of voters make their way to the polls!

As you continue to strategize on best practices for promoting civic engagement in your community, consider hosting a voter registration drive. We often are held back by simply not starting. By getting the momentum going, people in your community can carry the excitement through both the primary and general election seasons as they have something to look forward to after getting registered to vote. To learn more about how to host a voter registration drive, visit our Guide to Voter Registration Drives Webpage.

The effort doesn’t end at registration, however. When bringing your community together at these voter registration events, people get to know each other and build stronger relationships with their neighbors, developing long-term connections. They begin to understand how voting (or not voting!) impacts us all. There’s always something to look forward to, and we look forward to helping you continue these efforts to promote and drum up excitement for being civically engaged in all elections. With our forthcoming Promote the Vote targeted social media toolkit, all of our valued partners will be able to promote civic engagement and stress its importance to a healthy and productive democracy. Stay tuned for updates on this toolkit…

What to Look Forward to...

Some key dates to keep in mind as we move towards the June 2, 2026, Primary Election:

• May 4, 2026 – County elections offices will begin mailing ballots
• May 5, 2026 – Ballot drop-off locations open
• May 18, 2026 – The last day to register to vote online
• May 23, 2026 – Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties
• June 9, 2026 – Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by June 9, 2026.

In the Meantime...

We have resources available right now for you to use to promote civic engagement in California. This is Promote the Vote California, The Podcast, Seasons 1 and 2 are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for you to listen to and share with your communities. Hear from distinguished guests, including California’s own Secretary of State, Dr. Shirley N. Weber, exploring how democracy shows up in everyday spaces – workplaces, businesses, and neighborhoods. Together, we’ll share practical strategies to push back against misinformation and build community trust so California can continue to foster an environment of enthusiastic civic engagement and a sound democracy.

Looking for more elections content? Check out our podcast.
 

Tune in. Stay Informed. Stay Vote-Ready. Subscribe.

Listen to seasons 1 and 2 available on      

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the California Secretary of State’s office.