The big presidential election — Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump — is the race that is getting the most attention around the globe. But here at home, voters will face many more choices on the November ballot.
And all of those choices can feel overwhelming.
RELATED: Our Bay Area endorsements for the Nov. 5 election ballot
Who’s running for the City Council in your community? How about the county Board of Supervisors? Each Bay Area seat in the House of Representatives is up for election again, California will choose a new U.S. senator, and there are many campaigns on the statewide level, too.
It’s a lot for any voter to sort out. We are here to help.
Our reporters will explain many of the races on this year’s ballot, plus provide a breakdown of the statewide propositions.
We’ve also included a link to the recommendations from The Mercury News and East Bay Times editorial board on the statewide propositions, as well as scores of races.
We will have much more coverage in the coming weeks. Check back regularly for updates. And find all of our coverage on our Election 2024 page.
What voters need to know
Am I eligible to vote?: Here’s how to check your registration, register for the first time and check your ballot.
What are the dates I should know?: You already know Nov. 5, but what is the importance of Oct. 29? Find out the last day for online voter registration, for mail-in ballots to be postmarked, and much more.
Will teenagers vote?: This year, 16- and 17-year-olds in Oakland and Berkeley are allowed to cast ballots in school board races.
Why was this race canceled?: These Bay Area communities have taken races off the ballots. Here’s why.
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Statewide races
U.S. Senate: California will have a new senator after the 2023 death of longtime lawmaker Dianne Feinstein. Adam Schiff is the Democrats’ nominee, while Steve Garvey is the Republicans’ candidate.
District 8: John Garamendi vs. Rudy Recile
District 9: Josh Harder vs. Kevin Lincoln
District 10: Mark DeSaulnier vs. Katherine Piccinini
District 12: Lateefah Simon vs. Jennifer Tran
District 14: Eric Swalwell vs. Vin Kruttiventi
District 15: Kevin Mullin vs. Anna Kramer
District 16: Sam Liccardo vs. Evan Low
District 17: Ro Khanna vs. Anita Chen
District 18: Zoe Lofgren vs. Peter Hernandez Jr.
District 19: Jimmy Panetta vs. Jason Anderson
District 3: Thomas Bogue vs. Christopher Cabaldon
District 5: Jim Showmaker vs. Jerry McNerney
District 7: Jesse Arreguin vs. Jovanka Beckles
District 9: Tim Grayson vs. Marisol Rubio
District 11: Scott Wiener vs. Yvette Corkrean
District 13: Josh Becker vs. Alexander Glew
District 15: Dave Cortese vs. Robert Howell
District 14: Buffy Wicks vs. Margot Smith
District 15: Sonia Ledo vs. Anamaria Farias
District 20: Liz Ortega vs. Sangeetha Shanbhogue
District 21: Diane Papan vs. Mark Gilham
District 26: Tara Sreekrishnan vs. Patrick Ahrens
District 28: Gail Pellerin vs. Liz Lawler
California ballot measures: Voters will see 10 propositions on the 2024 ballot. Before Election Day, we will have a rundown of them all, so check back for updates.
Prop. 2: $10 billion bond to build and repair public schools and community colleges
Prop. 3: Constitutional right to marriage
Prop. 4: $10 billion “climate bond” to reduce wildfire risk, expand water projects and preserve parkland
Prop. 5: Allow local bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure with 55% voter approval
Prop. 6: Ban involuntary servitude in prisons
Prop. 32: Raise minimum wage to $18 per hour
Prop. 33: Allow cities to expand rent control
Prop. 34: Restrict spending of prescription drug revenues by certain healthcare providers
Prop. 35: Raise money for Medi-Cal health services for low-income families, seniors and disabled residents
Prop. 36: Allow felony charges and increase sentences for certain drug and theft crimes
Bay Area races and measures by county
Find out more about the measures and races awaiting residents in each of the core counties:
Bay Area
Local school bond measures
These communities have canceled some races — here’s why
Board of Supervisors, District 5
Board of Education, Areas 2, 5 and 6
Alameda County District Attorney recall
Oakland mayor recall
Oakland City Council, Districts 1 and 7
Oakland city attorney
Oakland: Measures MM, NN and OO
Berkeley mayor
Berkeley City Council
Berkeley: Measures BB and CC
Berkeley: Measures EE and FF
Berkeley: Measures GG, HH, X, Y and Z
Fremont mayor
Fremont City Council
Tri-Valley: Pleasanton and Dublin mayors and city councils
Pleasanton: Measure PP
Dublin: Measure II
Board of Supervisors, District 5
Antioch mayor
Antioch City Council
Pittsburg City Council
Brentwood mayor and City Council
Oakley City Council
Richmond City Council, Districts 1, 5 and 6
Board of Supervisors, District 4
Board of Supervisors, Districts 2 and 5
San Jose City Council, District 2
San Jose City Council, District 6
San Jose City Council, District 8
San Jose City Council, District 10
San Jose: Measure R
Santa Clara City Council, Districts 1, 4, 5 and 6
Santa Clara: Measure I
Sunnyvale City Council
Sunnyvale: Measures E and F
Cupertino City Council
Gilroy City Council
Gilroy: Measure C
Milpitas City Council
Milpitas: Measure J
Morgan Hill: Measures A and B
Endorsements
Our editorial board has published several endorsements, including ballot propositions, state legislators, city councils, and other local boards. They also have recommendations on the dozen propositions on this year’s ballot. Find all of the editorial board endorsements here.