Welcome to The Sacramento Bee’s Voter Guide to California’s March 5 primary election.
In addition to choosing who will be on the ballot for president in November, voters have a chance to determine who will represent them in Congress, the Legislature, as well as city and county government.
Help with your ballot and more
Who gets a ballot? Key info, deadlines and more
When will I get my mail ballot? Can I still vote in person?
Where to find unbiased election info and fact checks
U.S. PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
OTHER PARTIES
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James BradleyAmerican Ind.Senior Management Executive/Veteran
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Jill SteinGreenPhysician/Activist Campaign website
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Charles BallayLibertarianPhysician Campaign website
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Claudia De la CruzPeace and FreedomCommunity Organizer/Activist Campaign website
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Jasmine ShermanPeace and FreedomNonprofit Executive Director Campaign website
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Cornel WestPeace and FreedomProfessor/Philosopher/Author/Activist Campaign website
U.S. SENATE
U.S. SENATE, FULL TERM
There are two U.S. Senate races on the ballot, one for the full six-year term that starts Jan. 3, and one for a partial term to fill the remainder current term that ends on Jan. 3. This full-term race has 27 candidates vying to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who died in September after 30 years in office. The top two candidates will proceed to a runoff election in November.
Read the Editorial Board’s endorsement
U.S. SENATE, PARTIAL TERM
This race, with only seven candidates, is strictly for the remaining term of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat, which concludes on Jan. 3, 2025. Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to serve in the Senate until a replacement could be elected. Any candidate who receives a majority of the vote will be declared the winner; if no candidate receives a majority, the top two will advance to the general election in November.
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Redding, Chico, Yuba City
3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Roseville, Folsom, Lake Tahoe, Bishop
4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Woodland, Clearlake, Napa
5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Placerville, Oakdale, Mariposa
6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Arden Arcade, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights
Read the Editorial Board’s endorsement
7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Sacramento, Elk Grove
9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Stockton, Lodi, Manteca
Statewide proposition
Proposition 1
Behavioral Health Services Program and Bond Measure
Added by the Legislature, the ballot measure would authorize $6.38 billion in bonds to build mental health treatment facilities for those with mental health and substance-use challenges; provides housing for the homeless.
Proponents’ campaign website Opponents’ campaign website
STATE LEGISLATURE
1ST SENATE DISTRICT
Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Grass Valley, Northeastern California
3RD SENATE DISTRICT
Yolo, Napa, Solano counties
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Christopher CabaldonDemocratEducator/State Commissioner Campaign website
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Jackie ElwardDemocratCouncilwoman/Educator/Mother Campaign website
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Rozzana Verder-AligaDemocratHealth Care Provider/Councilmember Campaign website
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Thom BogueRepublicanCity Councilman/Businessman Campaign website
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Jimih JonesRepublicanAutomotive Parts Advisor
Read the Editorial Board’s endorsement
5TH SENATE DISTRICT
Stockton, Lodi, Livermore
1ST ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
Redding, Grass Valley, Northeastern California
3RD ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
Chico, Red Bluff, Yuba City
4TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
Yolo, Napa, Lake counties
5TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
Roseville, Placerville, Auburn
6TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
Sacramento, Arden Arcade
7TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
Folsom, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova
9TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
Manteca, Lodi, Galt
Read the Editorial Board’s endorsement
10TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
Elk Grove, southern Sacramento County
11TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
Vallejo, Solano County, Oakley
SACRAMENTO COUNTY RACES AND MEASURE
SUPERVISOR, 3RD DISTRICT
Arden Arcade, Carmichael, Fair Oaks
SUPERVISOR, 4TH DISTRICT
Folsom, Citrus Heights, Elverta, Antelope
SACRAMENTO MAYOR
SACRAMENTO CITY COUNCIL, 2ND DISTRICT
North Sacramento, Del Paso Heights, Robla
SACRAMENTO CITY COUNCIL, 4TH DISTRICT
Downtown, Midtown, East Sacramento
SACRAMENTO CITY COUNCIL, 6TH DISTRICT
Tahoe Park, La Riviera, Colonial Village
SACRAMENTO CITY COUNCIL, 8TH DISTRICT
Meadowview, Valley Hi/North Laguna
Read the Editorial Board’s endorsement
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, AREA 4
Citrus Heights, Carmichael, Gold River
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, AREA 6
Elk Grove, Delta; portions of Solano, Yolo counties
TWIN RIVERS USD, 7TH DISTRICT
North Sacramento, Ben Ali
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Linda Fowler* School Administrator
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Sascha VogtChild Development Teacher Campaign website
SUPERIOR COURT, OFFICE 21
MEASURE C
Sacramento city business tax
The measure would amend the city’s business operations tax by increasing the gross receipts threshold to $100,000, setting a new flat tax for professionals ($684) and hotels and short-term rentals ($114) and more, raising $6 million for the general fund.
More information about the measure
EL DORADO COUNTY RACES
SUPERVISOR, 1ST DISTRICT
El Dorado Hills
SUPERVISOR, 2ND DISTRICT
Cameron Park, Somerset, southern El Dorado County
SUPERVISOR, 3RD DISTRICT
Placerville, Diamond Springs
SUPERIOR COURT, 3RD OFFICE
PLACER COUNTY RACES AND MEASURE
SUPERVISOR, 3RD DISTRICT
Rocklin, Penryn, Loomis
SUPERVISOR, 4TH DISTRICT
Granite Bay, eastern Roseville
SUPERVISOR, 5TH DISTRICT
Auburn, Kings Beach, Homewood
MEASURE A
Loomis Town Clerk
The measure would allow the town clerk to be appointed rather than elected.
More information about the measure
YOLO COUNTY RACES AND MEASURES
SUPERVISOR, 1ST DISTRICT
West Sacramento, Clarksburg
SUPERVISOR, 3RD DISTRICT
Remaining unexpired term — Woodland, West Sacramento
SUPERVISOR, 4TH DISTRICT
Eastern Davis, El Macero
SUPERVISOR, 5TH DISTRICT
Woodland, Dunnigan, Capay Valley
SUPERIOR COURT, DEPT. 14
WOODLAND JUSD RECALL
The ballot question asks voters if Woodland Joint Unified School District Area 2 Trustee Emily MacDonald should be removed from office.
MEASURE M
Woodland: Lower Cache Creek Flood Risk
The measure would allow the city to accept $300 million in state and federal funds to construct a barrier and bypass on the Lower Cache Creek to mitigate potential flood damage.
More information about the measure
MEASURE N
Davis Joint Unified School District parcel tax
The levy, which requires a two-thirds majority to pass, would allow the district to renew a previous parcel tax and raise $11.7 million for the renovation of existing classrooms and school facilities, as well as the construction of new schools and classrooms. The levy would cost a parcel owner $768 per year beginning in July.
* denotes incumbent
How to vote
WHERE’S MY BALLOT? You’ve probably read or heard about certain other states where voting can sometimes be a challenge. California offers several options for casting your ballot. On Feb. 5, county elections officials will begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots to all active voters. If you mail it back, it must be postmarked no later than Election Day (Tuesday, March 5) and received by March 12. You can also take it to a secure ballot drop box, a voting location or your county voting office any time between Feb. 5 and 8 p.m. March 5. You can find the nearest one here.
NEED TO REGISTER? If you are not yet registered to vote, and you’re 18 or older on Election Day, you have until Feb. 20 to register by mailor online. After that, you have until the polls close on March 5 to conditionally register and vote at your county election office, vote center or polling place. Once officials verify your eligibility, your vote is counted.
VOTING IN PERSON: For those who prefer to vote in person, all four of the counties in the capital region are part of the Voter’s Choice Act and their voting centers will open on Feb. 24. You can find your polling place through the election office in your county: Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado and Yolo. On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For any information on where and how to vote, check with the Secretary of State’s office.
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