In what feels like a continuous election cycle, the 2026 Primary Election on Tuesday, June 2 has a special meaning for San Diego City College student Edrees Mello.
That special meaning isn’t because it’s arguably the most consequential race for California’s top job since 2011, but because this will be the first election the 20-year-old, early childhood education major will be able to vote in.
“It feels pretty great,” Mello said. “I’m not very political, but it feels nice to get out and pick my choice for governor. Everyone should get out and vote.”
First-time voters like Mello can visit sdvote.com for information about registration status, candidates, props and voting options.
City College will have a voting center in the P building flex room again this year, beginning on May 30 until Election Day on June 2.
City Times Media began its community agenda in 2024 and has continued to find out what issues matter most to City College. In addition to that survey, CTM has begun publishing candidate profiles for the governor’s race at sdcitytimes.com.
Over 2 million ballots have been sent to voters if they are registered, but for San Diego residents who missed the May 18 registration deadline, they have multiple options ahead of Election Day on June 2.
One option is to register conditionally and vote provisionally at the Registrar of Voters’ office in Kearny Mesa, according to the San Diego Registrar of Voters media and communications coordinator Antonia Hutzell.
“If voters missed this deadline, they’ll need to conditionally register and vote provisionally, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” Hutzell said. “Conditional registration will also be available at any vote center starting Saturday, May 23, through the final day of voting, June 2.”
According to California state law, voters who miss the registration deadline can register to vote conditionally and vote provisionally at any of the San Diego voting centers for the upcoming election.
A provisional ballot is a regular ballot that is put in a special envelope, and is counted as regular vote.
Voters may request a provisional ballot for various reasons, such as the voter not appearing on the polling place’s voter roll.
A replacement ballot can be requested before May 26, 2026 at 5 p.m. if the voter lost or did not receive a mail in ballot.
Additionally, a mail in ballot will automatically be suspended once a voter checks in to vote at a voting center, according to the Voter’s Choice Act model enacted by the county of San Diego in 2021.
Provisional ballots will be counted once election officials have verified you are correctly registered and have not already cast a ballot, according to the California Secretary of State.
Despite current trends of voter identification laws throughout the country, California does not require identification at the polls unless you are seeking to register conditionally and vote.
Registration and the voter’s signatures are verified in a strict voter verification process by election officials at the Registrar of Voters.
Among this year’s judges, props, and other regional initiatives is the race for the next governor of California, which initially had 61 candidates vying for the state’s top job.
Currently polling at the top of the race for governor are former Fox News analyst and Republican candidate Steve Hilton, and democratic candidate and former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Beccera.
California has a top-two selection process where the winners will move onto the general election regardless of party affiliation.
Primary contests are notorious for low voter turnout compared to general elections that include a presidential race. In 2024, only 36.45% of registered voters cast a ballot compared to 75.77% for the 2024 general election, according to the San Diego Registrar of Voters.
In the 2019 gubernatorial primary election, only 39.77% of registered voters cast a ballot.
In addition to meeting residency, citizenship, cognitive and non-felony requirements, 16 and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote and will become eligible the day they turn 18.
The San Diego Registrar of Voters provides a myriad of voter information. Students who need guidance can check their voter information pamphlet online, registration and party status and where to vote.
Election Day is Tuesday, June 2, and all ballots must be post-marked or cast by 8 p.m. sharp.
Correction: This article was updated to reflect that voters can vote and receive the correct ballot type at any voting center in San Diego, according to the Voter’s Choice Act model enacted by the county of San Diego in 2021. City Times Media regrets the error.
This story was edited by Tresean Osgood and Nadia Lavin.
