State elections officials warned voters Tuesday to send their mail-in ballots in early following changes at the U.S. Postal Service that has led to slower mail service throughout California.

"I do think this particular job plays a more direct role in the everyday lives of Californians than just about any other role in state politics," said Caroline Heldman, a professor at Occidental College.

Ahead of the election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates vying to represent you.

SACRAMENTO — The stunning collapse of Rep. Eric Swalwell’s California governor campaign has upended the wide-open contest where no Democratic candidate has emerged as a clear frontrunner and mail-in voting is scheduled to start in under a month.

As ballots arrive at homes throughout the state, residents have to decide when to vote, so they can respond to late-breaking events but not risk their ballot arriving too late to count.

The U.S. Supreme Court has narrowed the Voting Rights Act over the past decade. The law in California was primarily used to help Latinos gain political representation.

Michigan Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow addresses deleted tweets, voting record questions and residency timeline on CNN amid 2026 primary scrutiny.

Voter guide to California's primary election, the last California-bound oil tanker arrives in Long Beach and more big stories