California voters have a yes-or-no decision to make this fall that will determine the future of the state’s congressional district maps.
Prop 50 was placed on the statewide ballot in response to a redistricting effort in Texas. The measure, if passed, would dramatically reshape California’s congressional districts to add as many as five Democrat-held seats in Congress — a possible offset to President Trump’s moves in Texas and elsewhere to help Republicans in the 2026 election.
Voting is already underway in the nation’s most populous state after county elections officials began sending out vote-by-mail ballots early in October. All active California registered voters — that’s 23 million of the state’s 27 million eligible voters — will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the election.
Those ballots can be returned by mail, at a ballot drop-off location, or a county elections office.
Nov. 4 is Election Day, the last day to vote, but there are other key deadlines to know.
Key dates for the California special election
- Oct. 6: County elections officials begin mailing ballots by this date. All active California registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the election. Early voting sites open.
- Oct. 7: Ballot drop-off locations open.
- Oct. 20: The last day to register to vote for the Nov. 4 Statewide Special Election.
- Oct. 21-Nov. 4: Same-day registration is available in California. Voters may conditionally register, then cast a provisional ballot.
- Oct. 25: Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties. VCA counties operate under a model intended to modernize elections under Senate Bill 450. The include Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange and Ventura counties.
- Nov. 4: Election Day in California. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by Nov. 12.
- Dec. 2: This is the first day for county elections officials to certify election results.
- Dec. 4: The last day for county officials to certify election results.
- Dec. 5: One complete copy of special election returns must be sent from county elections officials to the Secretary of State.
- Dec. 12: A statement of vote is certified by the Secretary of State.
After polls close at 8 p.m., county elections official set to work on reporting results, conducting a canvass of votes and delivering totals to the Secretary of State at least every two hours. Updated results will be available on NBCLA.com and the NBCLA app.
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