California Primary 2026: What happens next after all the votes are cast?

The 2026 California primary election is here, but what happens next?

Voters across California will cast their ballots in federal races and major statewide offices — including governor.

Here’s what to know about what happens after the June 2 election.

When can I vote?

California voters can begin returning their ballots at an early voting site.

While operating hours at early voting sites vary by county, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day — Tuesday.

“No voters who arrive after the polls close may cast votes,” according to the California Secretary of State website.

However, voters in line when the polls close must be allowed to vote or drop off a vote-by-mail ballot, the California Secretary of State’s Office said. But those who arrive after the polls close are not allowed to vote, even if people who were already in line are still voting.

At 8 p.m., county elections officials will begin tallying the results.

How long will it take to tally the votes?

County election officials begin counting votes once the polls close and report results to the state starting two hours later. These reports continue until all votes are counted.

Vote-by-mail ballots and early voting ballots normally are counted first, even before election day, but the results cannot be reported until after the polls close, according to the California Secretary of State website.

Yolo County has a step-by-step explainer on its website of how vote-by-mail ballots are counted.

Semi-official results posted Tuesday night will include those ballots and at least some ballots cast at polling places Tuesday.

By law, county elections offices have up to 30 days to canvass the election results and count all eligible votes.

News reports may “call” elections and candidates may even concede, but election results are not final until the statewide vote has been certified 38 days after the election.

Who advances to the general election?

In 2010, Californians passed Proposition 14, which established the current top-two primary election system, sometimes called a “jungle” primary, Ballotpedia said.

In a top-two primary election, voters cast their ballots for any candidate, regardless of party.

The top two vote-getters then advance to the general election, even if they are from the same party, Ballotpedia said.

What happens in the general election?

Voters choose between the two candidates on the ballot, or write in a candidate. The person with the most eligible votes wins the election and takes office.

When is the general election?

The 2026 California general election will take place Nov. 3.