Read Helpful Guides & Attend Forums Check out the LWVC Easy Voter Guide .   Vote411/california is a one-stop shop for in-depth, nonpartisan information about candidates, ballot propositions and local ballot measures, including campaign funding information and a high-quality Spanish translation for State and Federal races. Download official voting guides in many languages from Santa Clara County. Check out the the nonpartisan Ballotopedia.
 
Attend LWV-sponsored  Candidate Forums  to hear from candidates in local races as well as LWVPA-sponsored Pros/Cons to learn about state and local ballot propositions and measures. LWV of Palo Alto hosts these events on Zoom or Live and videos are posted to our  YouTube Channel.

California’s Top-Two Primary System In 2011, California adopted the Top-Two Primary Election Act for every statewide and national office except for: the office of President of the United States, local offices, and central party committees. For primary elections in midterm (non-presidential) years, voters receive a ballot with all candidates listed for every party affiliation. The top-two winning candidates go onto the ballot for the general election in November. During a presidential election year, voters who registered with a party preference will get a primary ballot with all the top-two candidates as well as presidential candidates running in their preferred party. Read more about how the Top-Two primary system affects No Party Preference voters during presidential election years.