In california, what are the two ways political parties can qualify to get on the ballot?

What types of elections are there?

There are three basic types -- primary, general and local. In addition, "special elections" can be called which are limited to one specific purpose, e.g., filling a vacancy.

What is a primary election?

There are two types of primary elections. In a Presidential primary election, voters registered with a political party select the candidate who will represent that party on the ballot in the next general election in November. In its statewide primary, California now has a Top Two Open Primary system, which means that all candidates running for state constitutional, U.S. Congressional, and state legislative offices will be listed on a single statewide primary election ballot. Voters can vote for the candidate of their choice for these offices, regardless of how they are registered. The top two candidates, as determined by the voters, will advance to the general election in November.

In a Presidential primary election, if you are registered to vote with a political party, you will be given a ballot for that party. Each political party has the option of allowing decline-to-state voters to vote in their Presidential primary. Find out how to vote for President based on your party affiliation.

When are primary elections held?

The statewide primary is held in June of even-numbered years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday. The California Legislature sets the Presidential primary date. 

What is a general election?

The general election is one that is held in the whole state and is not limited to voters in a particular party or a specific locality.

When are general elections held?

The statewide general election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even-numbered years. The general election for the President is held quadrennially on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November.

What is the purpose of a general election?

The purpose of a Presidential general election is to make a final choice among the various candidates who have been nominated by parties or who are running as independent or write-in candidates. In addition, where nonpartisan races have not been decided in the primary, the runoffs are held at the general election. The purpose of the statewide general election for given state and congressional offices is for voters to make a final choice between the top two-vote getters in the statewide primary election. Statewide measures also can be placed on the November ballot.

What is a nonpartisan office?

It is an office for which candidates' names appear on the ballot without party designation. No party may nominate a candidate for nonpartisan office.

Which offices are nonpartisan?

Local offices such as most city council members, county supervisors,  all school boards, all judgeships, including the statewide office of member of the California Supreme Court. The statewide offices of Superintendent of Public Instruction and Insurance Commissioner are nonpartisan.

Are there nonpartisan primaries?

Yes. Some local nonpartisan primaries such as those for judges are usually held at the same time as the statewide regular primary. A candidate for a nonpartisan office who is on the primary ballot is selected if he or she wins more than 50% of the vote. If not, there is a runoff election in November between the top two candidates.

Do all nonpartisan offices use primaries?

No, some nonpartisan offices, such as most city councils and school boards, do not use primaries. Candidates run as independents and the person with the most votes wins even if it is not a majority.

When are local elections held and how do I learn about them?

There is no set time or method that applies to all city, county, school or special district elections. If you are a registered voter you will receive a Sample Ballot before the election. This provides basic information you need about who is running for what office and whether there are any local ballot measures. Most local offices are nonpartisan and candidates run without party affiliation noted on the ballot. You can always check VotersEdge.org for more information about your local elections.

Versión en Español

Q1. What is the difference between a primary and a general election?

A1. The State of Colorado holds regularly scheduled state elections every two years; a state Primary Election in June and a General election in November. In presidential election years, the state also holds a presidential primary election in March.

The nominated candidates from each party's primary ballot will be placed on the November General Election ballot. The winner of the November General Election will hold office.

Q2. Who can vote in a Primary Election?

A2. During either the Presidential or June primary:

• Voters affiliated with a major party: may cast a ballot for candidates of the party they are affiliated with.
• Voters affiliated with a minor party: if there is a minor party contest those affiliated with that minor party may cast a ballot for those candidates.
• Unaffiliated voters: An unaffiliated voter may cast a ballot for any one political party. If an unaffiliated voter returns a ballot with more than one political party, the ballot will be rejected and none of the votes will be counted.

Q3. How old do I have to be in order to vote in a primary election?

A3. Every individual who is 18 years of age is eligible to vote in the primary election or presidential primary election.

Q4. Does Colorado hold a presidential Primary Election?

A4. Yes. Like other primary elections, affiliated voters will be eligible to vote for candidates in their party while unaffiliated voters will be eligible to vote for a candidate in any one party's election.

Q5. Do I still have to attend a party caucus meeting to vote in a presidential Primary Election?

A5. No. Voting in a presidential primary is similar to voting in a regular primary election. Like other elections, voters will receive a ballot in the mail. While each political party will still conduct caucus meetings, these meetings will not select presidential candidates.

Q6. Are parties required to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their primary election?

A6. Major parties are required to allow unaffiliated voters to vote in their primary election. Minor parties, on the other hand, may refuse to allow unaffiliated voters to vote in their primary.

Q7. I am an unaffiliated voter. Do I have to choose in advance which party's primary ballot to vote?

A7. No, but you can if you want to. You have several options:

1. You may choose which party's ballot you want to get in the mail for the next primary election by selecting a party preference at govotecolorado.gov or on any paper voter registration form.
2. If you would rather receive a packet containing the ballots of all participating major parties, you can take no action or select this option when first registering to vote.
3. You can also appear in person at any Voter Service and Polling Center in your county and choose the party's ballot you want to vote.

Q8. Does selecting a ballot preference as an unaffiliated voter mean that I am joining that party?

A8. No. An unaffiliated voter who selects a ballot preference in advance of a primary election will remain unaffiliated.

Q9. I am unaffiliated and selected a preference to receive a minor party ballot. Why didn't I receive that party's ballot?

A9. This could happen for two reasons:

1. The minor party you selected is not conducting a primary election, or
2. The minor party you selected is not allowing unaffiliated voters to participate in their election.

In either of these situations, you should receive a ballot packet containing the ballots of all major political parties. You may vote on and return one of these ballots, or you may contact your County Clerk's office or visit a Voter Service and Polling Center to request a different minor party's ballot.

Q10. I selected a ballot preference last primary election and received that party's ballot. Why didn't I get that ballot again this primary election?

A10. A ballot preference selection is good for only one election. So, if you select a ballot preference before the June 2018 primary, that preference will be removed before the next primary in 2020. If you still prefer to receive one party's primary ballot, you may select your preference again at any time by visiting www.govotecolorado.gov or by making the selection on any paper voter registration form.

Q11. Does voting in a party's primary as an unaffiliated voter mean that I am joining that party?

A11. No. An unaffiliated voter who votes in a party's primary will remain unaffiliated. However, the primary that you vote in will be a public record (but not how you voted).

Q12. I am an unaffiliated voter. Why did I get two ballots sent to me during a primary?

A12. Most unaffiliated voters will receive the ballots of both major political parties during a primary election. This allows an unaffiliated voter to choose which party's primary they will vote in. Unaffiliated voters may only return one party's ballot. Returning two voted ballots will result in neither ballot counting.

Q13. How do I vote in a minor party's primary election if I am unaffiliated?

A13. You have two options:

1. You may select a ballot preference for the minor party's election that you would like to vote in at govotecolorado.gov or on any paper voter registration form, or
2. You may contact your local County Clerk's office or visit any Voter Service and Polling Center in your county and request that minor party's ballot.

Keep in mind that the minor party you select may not hold an election or may not allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their election.

Q14. Where can I find information about caucus?

A14. Precinct caucuses are held no earlier than the first Tuesday in March and no later than the first Saturday after the first Tuesday in March in each even numbered year. The persons receiving the highest number of votes at the precinct caucus are the delegates to the county assembly from the precinct. Contact your political party for additional information relating to caucus and party rules.

For more questions about caucuses, see our caucus FAQs.

Q15. Can I participate in a party's caucus meeting if I am unaffiliated?

A15. No. To participate in a party caucus meeting you must join that party before the party's caucus. However, you are still eligible to vote in any participating party's primary election.

Q16. Besides caucus meetings, what other election activities are available only to members of a party?

A16. You must be a member of a political party to participate and vote in that party’s county assembly. Delegates to each party’s county assembly are elected at precinct caucuses. Delegates to higher district assemblies and the state convention are elected at each major party’s county assembly.

Also, you must be a member of a political party to sign a petition for a candidate of that party. You also cannot run for office with a party without first being a member of that party.

Q17. What political parties are recognized in Colorado?

A17. A list of the current Colorado political parties is available online.

How do political parties work to get their candidates elected?

What are the 3 main factors that influence a person when they decide to vote?

How can you determine the people's participation in election?

What parties can you register as in California?