Polls say up to 90% of California voters may have made up their minds about their choice for governor, but as of Thursday, just 1.76 million out of 23.3 million mailed ballots had been returned – 7.5% – according to state elections officials.
In the first report of returned mail ballots statewide, the California Secretary of State Elections Division showed voters have been slow to respond to the campaigning, with just 11 days remaining until votes are counted on the official primary day, June 2.
There are 61 candidates for governor, and the top seven have spent millions and appeared in multiple debates and other joint appearances in all corners of the state.
In 30 counties, including Santa Clara, in-person voting begins Saturday, May 23.
The county will operate 24 Vote Centers from May 23 through June 2, when primary ballots will be counted. Voters will be able to vote in person, drop off a Vote by Mail ballot, or request services including language assistance, curbside voting, and accessible voting equipment at any Vote Center.
"We are committed to giving every voter convenient, accessible, and secure options," Matt Moreles, Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters said in a press release. "With expanded hours, more locations, and support in 17 languages, we aim to offer a variety of voting options and services to meet the needs of our diverse community,"
Voters will have access to an additional 88 Vote Centers starting May 30, giving the county a total of 112. Most locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Voters can find their nearest center and its hours of operation at sccvote.org/votecenter.
Vote-by-mail ballots can be sent via the US Postal Service at no charge, or dropped in one of the many voting drop boxes scattered around the county.
Anyone voting by mail can track their ballot at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov, and receive updates when their ballot is mailed, received and counted.
San Francisco, San Mateo, Contra Costa and Alameda counties will also open early voting centers on Friday.
The last day to register to vote for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election was May 18, 2026. Eligible citizens who missed the May 18 deadline to register to vote may complete the "Same Day" voter registration process through Election Day on June 2 at their local county elections office or any in-person voting location within their county.
June 2 is the last day to vote in-person or return a ballot by 8:00 p.m. Polls are open from 7am to 8pm. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked no later than June 2. If mailing on Elections Day, get a hand-stamped postmark from a postal employee inside a U.S. Post Office.
