California voters may be surprised to find these candidates on their ballot. Here’s why

California’s March 3 election is quickly approaching, and voters may be surprised to find a few names still on their ballot.

That’s because several presidential candidates, including seven Democrats and one Republican, either dropped out of the race after a key deadline to be removed from the list or didn’t file the necessary paperwork.

Californians will see 20 Democrats and seven Republicans on their ballot.

About 2 million Californians have already voted. Some of those ballots may have been cast for Democrats Andrew Yang, Michael Bennet and Deval Patrick or Republican Joe Walsh — all of whom dropped out after early voting began in the Golden State on Feb. 3.

Joe Sestak exited the presidential race last year before California’s Dec. 26 withdrawal deadline but didn’t submit forms with the Secretary of State’s Office to get his name removed. John Delaney, Marianne Williamson and Cory Booker all dropped out after the deadline.

Of the eight failed candidates still on the California ballot, Yang appears likeliest to have received votes. Candidates who perform poorly in Nevada and South Carolina could also choose to bow out of the race ahead of California’s election. This would render useless the ballots of their supporters who decided to vote early.

In California, every vote counts, including those for failed candidates.

While the seven Democrats who left the race are unlikely to have much impact, the results could still affect which of the top candidates get delegates. A candidate must get at least 15 support statewide or in a given congressional district to be eligible for a pledged California delegate.

Bernie Sanders has consistently polled at the top of the pack in California, leaving Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Michael Bloomberg and others fighting to cross that 15 percent local or statewide threshold.

This story was originally published February 25, 2020 at 5:00 AM.