San Diego voters face 14 propositions and a gubernatorial contest on Nov. 3
The county registrar has mailed ballots to all active registered voters, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
By Christopher Richardson ·
San Diego County voters will select a new California governor on Nov. 3, 2026, as Gavin Newsom reaches the state's two-term limit. The general election also includes contests for attorney general, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, controller, insurance commissioner and treasurer. Federal seats in the 48th and 49th congressional districts are up for grabs, alongside two seats on the San Diego Board of Supervisors. City of San Diego residents will vote in Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8.
The ballot features 14 statewide propositions covering housing, taxes, environmental regulations and election rules. Countywide measures address supervisor term limits and a sales tax proposal. Democrat Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, faces Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News commentator, in the gubernatorial race. Voters can access a sample ballot on the San Diego County Registrar of Voters website to review these measures.
Mail ballots began going to active registered voters during the week of Oct. 5. Under California's Voter's Choice Act, every eligible voter receives a ballot automatically. Voters must seal the envelope, sign and date it, and return it by mail without a stamp. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by the Registrar of Voters by Nov. 10. Voters can also drop sealed envelopes at one of more than 100 official drop boxes located across the county.
These drop boxes opened on Oct. 4 and remain accessible through 8 p.m. on Election Day. The county maintains one drop box for every 15,000 registered voters. In-person voting at official centers began on Oct. 24. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Voters in line by the 8 p.m. deadline will be permitted to cast their ballots. Those who miss the registration deadline of Oct. 19 can still vote using a provisional ballot at a vote center or the Registrar's office at 5600 Overland Ave.
California does not require photo identification for most voters. Exceptions apply to first-time federal voters who registered by mail or online without providing a California ID or Social Security number. Upon check-in, voters sign an electronic roster. The barcode on the mail ballot return envelope is suspended to prevent double voting. Ballots are marked on touchscreen devices and printed for tabulation. Online voting is not permitted in the state.
Election officials have until Dec. 3 to certify final results. Preliminary data will be released as polls close. Some races may be decided immediately, while others could require days or weeks to count. The California Secretary of State website allows voters to report complaints regarding intimidation, eligibility challenges or device tampering. Voter fraud and suppression are classified as felonies.
Source: KNSD
