California primary election 2026 today: Top candidates, where do I vote in California, polling place locator, complete voting guide

California voters in the 14th Congressional District head to the polls on August 18, for a special general runoff election to choose who will serve the remainder of former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell’s term. State Sen. Aisha Wahab and Bay Area Rapid Transit Board President and former Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez, both Democrats, are competing for the seat. The winner will serve the remainder of Swalwell’s term, which became vacant after he resigned from Congress in April.

The two candidates will also face each other in November for the full-term 14th District seat beginning in January 2027.

Here is everything California voters in the district need to know about Tuesday’s election, including polling hours, who can vote, ballot information and when results are expected.


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When is the California election 2026?

The California 14th Congressional District special general runoff is being held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

The election follows a June 16 special primary in which Wahab and Hernandez emerged as the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation.

The seat is set to remain under Democratic control because both candidates in Tuesday’s runoff are Democrats.

What time do polls close in California today?

California polls close at 8 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday. That is 11 p.m. Eastern Time.

Voters who are in line when polls close should still be allowed to cast their ballots.

California election 2026: Top candidates to watch

Aisha Wahab

State Sen. Aisha Wahab emerged as the leading candidate in the June 16 special primary. She also finished ahead of Hernandez in the June 2 primary for the full-term seat.

Wahab represents California in the state Senate and is competing to serve the remainder of Swalwell’s congressional term.

Melissa Hernandez

Melissa Hernandez is president of the Bay Area Rapid Transit Board and a former mayor of Dublin.

She finished second behind Wahab in the June special primary and is now competing for the congressional seat.

Hernandez has raised and spent more than Wahab during the campaign, although the two candidates had roughly similar amounts of cash on hand at the end of July.

Outside groups have also spent heavily in the race, with several organisations backing Hernandez and opposing Wahab.

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Who can vote in the California 14th District election?

Any registered voter living in the current boundaries of California’s 14th Congressional District can participate in Tuesday’s special election.

The district is entirely within Alameda County and includes Hayward, Livermore, Pleasanton and Union City, as well as parts of San Leandro, Fremont and Dublin.

About 423,000 voters were registered in the district as of May 2026. They included roughly 210,000 Democrats, 73,000 Republicans and 116,000 voters with no party preference.

Where do I vote in California today?

Voters should use their assigned polling location or the voting instructions provided by Alameda County election officials.

Because polling locations can differ depending on a voter's address, voters should check their registration and polling-place information before heading out to vote.

California election results time

The first results are expected after polls close at 8 p.m. PT.

In the June 16 special primary, the Associated Press first reported results at 11:17 p.m. ET, 17 minutes after polls closed. About 87% of votes had been counted by the last update that night.

The count reached 99.9% on June 18.

However, the final result on Tuesday could take longer because California has a large volume of mail ballots that may need to be processed and counted.

When will the winner be announced?

The winner will be declared once it is clear that the trailing candidate cannot overcome the lead.

There is no automatic recount in California. A registered voter can request and pay for a recount under the state's rules.

What is at stake in the California 14th District election?

The election will determine who completes Swalwell’s current congressional term.

The race is also significant because the winner will immediately face another contest in November. Wahab and Hernandez are both on the ballot for the full-term 14th District seat, which begins in January 2027.

The district boundaries were redrawn following Proposition 50, a statewide ballot measure approved by California voters in 2025. The new boundaries will apply to the full-term seat beginning in January.

California election 2026: Key things voters should remember

For voters in the 14th Congressional District, the key points are simple: the special election is being held on Tuesday, August 18, polls close at 8 p.m. PT, and voters who are in line when polls close can still cast their ballots.

The election is between two Democrats — Aisha Wahab and Melissa Hernandez — and will decide who serves the remainder of former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s term.

The two candidates will meet again in November in the race for the full-term congressional seat beginning in 2027.