The Democratic Presidential Primary is your best shot at influencing who becomes President. The State of California is almost certainly going to vote for the Democratic nominee in the general election, so the primary is where the real action is.

Hey, it's your vote. If you want to vote for an Independent candidate, you can do that. But it's unlikely that an Independent candidate will win the Presidency, so you should consider voting in one of the Party primaries, instead.

Since California will vote for a Democratic President, Republicans in California only have a chance to influence their party's nominee. If you are a Republican, you should vote in the Republican Presidential Primary to make your voice heard.

For the first time in a very long time, California will not have an incumbent Senator on the ballot.

Senator Dianne Feinstein had served in the Senate since 1992 (that's 32 years!) and was planning to retire due to declining health. But on Friday, September 29, 2023, Senator Dianne Feinstein passed away while still in office. Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to serve out the remainder of Feinstein's term and she has declared that she is not running for the seat.

We expect over a dozen candidates to run, and will update this list as we learn more. Until after the official qualification deadline, we will only list the candidates who have reported more than $0 in fundraising (source), given the sheer volume of candidates.

Rumors were swirling about Nancy Pelosi's retirement, but on September 8 she announced she was officially running for reelection.

Until after the official qualification deadline, we will only list the candidates who have reported more than $0 in fundraising (source).

Incumbent Kevin Mullin is the favorite in this race. Only one challenger has reported any money raise so far, but others may declare & raise as the filing deadline approaches on December 8, 2023.

Until after the official qualification deadline, we will only list the candidates who have reported more than $0 in fundraising (source).

After Nancy Pelosi officially declared to run for re-election, incumbent State Senator Scott Wiener filed his papers to hold on to his seat. By any measure, Senator Wiener is the favorite in this contest.

Matt Haney has held this seat for just one term; we expect him to run again and easily win re-election.

Phil Ting is termed out, so this will be an open seat. Catherine Stefani is the favorite among those filed to run.

What is it?

Proposition 1 is a $6.38 billion bond measure placed on the ballot by the State Legislature. It will fund housing, mental healthcare, and substance abuse treatment for homeless individuals and veterans.

Interstingly, this proposition approves two bills that went through the legislature in 2023: Senate Bill 326 and Assembly Bill 531, according to BallotPedia.

• Legislative Analyst Office report is not yet available
• Full legal text of SB 326 (PDF)
• Full legal text of AB 531 (PDF)

Why is this on the ballot?

Proposition 1 amends the Mental Health Services Act, which was passed as Proposition 63 in 2004. All amendments to prior ballot measures must be approved by the voters.

Fiscal impacts

Proposition 1 does not institute a new tax, it merely changes how revenues from an existing tax are spent. As such, it does not have a direct fiscal impact on the State budget.

We expect a crowded field of over 30 candidates. We will update this list as we learn more.

We expect a crowded field of over 30 candidates. We will update this list as we learn more.

For the first time in a long time, a sitting judge is being challenged by an outsider. We'll be watching if more challengers file by the November 8, 2023 deadline.