Elections - A General Overview
National and State elections
(Part 1 of a 2-part series on elections in Plumas County)
Every November, there’s an election in Plumas County—whether it’s for President, Governor, state leaders, local offices, or a handful of propositions, voting has become a familiar and regular part of civic life. Throw in primary elections in even-numbered years and it can feel like we’re voting all the time!
This post—the first of two—focuses on federal and state elections: who we elect, how the systems work, and what all those propositions are about. In the second post, I’ll zoom in on local elections, which I believe have the biggest day-to-day impact on our lives.
Who Can Register and Vote?
You can register to vote in California if you:
Are a U.S. citizen
Are at least 18 years old on or before Election Day
Are not currently serving a state or federal prison sentence for a felony
Have not been found mentally incompetent to vote by a court
📌 Young people ages 16 and 17 can pre-register to vote.
Registering and voting are personal decisions. I encourage everyone who is eligible to take part—but whether you do is up to you.
You can check your registration status or register here: CA Secretary of State
Who We Elect and What We Vote For
In California, we vote for:
President (every 4 years)
Governor and state constitutional officers (every 4 years)
U.S. Senators (6-year terms)
U.S. Representatives (2-year terms)
State Senators (4-year terms)
State Assembly Members (2-year terms)
Propositions and ballot measures (most often in November general elections)
Because these offices have staggered terms, and special elections sometimes pop up to fill vacancies, it really can feel like there’s always something on the ballot.
Understanding California's Primary Systems
Presidential Primary: Modified Closed System
California uses a modified closed primary for Presidential elections. If you're registered with a political party, you get that party’s ballot.
If you're registered as No Party Preference, you may be allowed to vote in a party’s primary - but only if that party allows it (and not all do). Check this well ahead of primary season.
All Other Offices: Top Two Primary
For U.S. Senate, Congress, state legislative, and most statewide offices, California uses a Top Two Open Primary system.
All candidates appear on the same primary ballot, regardless of party. The top two vote-getters - even if they’re from the same party - advance to the general election.
Who Represents Us?
Federal Level
U.S. Senate (2 seats statewide):
California’s current U.S. Senators are Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff.U.S. House of Representatives:
Plumas County is now part of Congressional District 3, represented by Kevin Kiley. This districting changed after the 2020 Census due to population shifts.
State Level
California State Senate (40 total districts):
Plumas is in District 1, represented by Megan Dahle.California State Assembly (80 total districts):
Plumas is in District 1, represented by Heather Hadwick.
(note: Click on the politicians’ name - I’ve included links to their websites. Use them to contact your representatives when you have questions or issues. Remember: THEY REPRESENT US AND ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO US!)
Redistricting: Why It Matters
Every 10 years, following the U.S. Census, electoral district lines are redrawn to reflect population changes. In 2020, California lost a congressional - shrinking from 53 to 52 total seats in the state -and that meant new district boundaries across the board.
📌 This is why Plumas County moved from Congressional District 1 to District 3.
More on California redistricting: Ballotpedia Redistricting Overview
Term Limits and Frequent Elections
In California, legislators can serve a maximum of 12 years in the State Legislature—whether entirely in the Assembly, the Senate, or a combination of both.
For example:
Megan Dahle served five years in the State Assembly and was elected to the State Senate in 2024.
At the end of her State Senate term, she will have served nine years total so her eligibility is limited. She won’t be able to run again for a four year State Senate term but could run for a two year State Assembly term - or any other non-State Legislature position.
Add in special elections to fill unexpected vacancies, and it’s easy to feel like there’s an election happening every few months!
How do we come up with Propositions and how do you know what they are about?
California’s ballot propositions can come from two sources:
Legislative Proposals – passed by the Legislature and placed on the ballot
Citizen Initiatives – proposed by individuals or groups, requiring a set number of signatures to qualify
Note: Citizen-led initiatives only appear on the general election ballot in November.
It’s important that you read up as much as possible on all the propositions on the ballot. The titles and summaries are developed by the state Attorney General’s office. This is in the information that is on the voter information pamphlet. Unfortunately, the voter information pamphlet can be misleading or short on details. At the end of this article, I’ve listed a some sources (and I know there are a myriad of others available) where you can find out more information about propositions when they are on the ballot.
Propositions often have vague or feel-good names - or flat out misleading titles. Take 2014’s Proposition 47—officially titled “Criminal Sentences. Misdemeanor Penalties. Initiative Statute.” But it was marketed as the “Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act.”
Same law, two very different impressions.
This is why it’s imperative that you research the propositions as much as possible so you are fully informed before casting your ballot.
Here’s a great report on misleading proposition titles with a couple of examples in California and Ohio: Cato Institute on Ballot Labeling
How to Research Propositions
Reading only the ballot title and summary is not enough. These are often oversimplified and sometimes downright misleading.
Before voting, I recommend:
Reading the Official Voter Guide which is usually mailed to each voter
Looking up supporters and opponents to get a balanced perspective
Using reliable sources to dig deeper (see below)
Some helpful resources for research - I’ve included a mix of perspectives. Some lean left or right - so take note and cross-reference for a fuller picture.
If you have other trusted sources, drop them in the comments—I’d love to add to the list!
Keep in mind that you do NOT have to vote on every race, proposition or initiative on the ballot. But if you do your research and want your voice heard, make sure to mark your ballots clearly.
Track Your Ballot
And now, thanks to technology, you can track your ballot to make sure it is delivered and counted! (note that you will have to create an account to use this site)
📬 Track your mail ballot: Ballottrax
Coming Next: Why Local Elections Matter Most
In Part 2, I’ll dive into local elections—the races that determine the persons in charge of departments that collect fees and taxes, prosecute crimes, and preside over court cases. There are also boards and special districts that dictate how your taxes are spent and how your communities are represented.
These offices may not get national attention, but they often have the biggest impact on your daily life.
Stay tuned—and keep asking questions!
This is such important information. I should be required reading in order to register to vote in California. Thank you!
Very helpful info. Especially to those new voters and those just not familiar with the process.