The examples (if any) given here will be based on the 2020 election in order to explain the process.

The entire process begins with someone wanting to become a candidate for President.

From this initial desire to be a candidate, the entire process may get complex or seem difficult to follow, so please pay attention to every detail.

An election during an election year for President and Vice President of the United States does involve a primary election in California. California and Washington (State) use a “top two” primary format. The “top-two” format uses a common ballot, listing all candidates on the same ballot. In California, each candidate lists his or her party affiliation, whereas in Washington, each candidate is authorized to list a party “preference.” The top two vote-getters in each race, regardless of party, advance to the general election. Advocates of the “top-two” format argue that it increases the likelihood of moderate candidates advancing to the general election ballot. Opponents maintain that it reduces voter choice by making it possible that two candidates of the same party face off in the general election. They also contend that it is tilted against minor parties who will face slim odds of earning one of only two spots on the general election ballot.

Democratic Party:

The secretary of state selects candidates for placement on the Democratic presidential primary ballot. State law stipulates that the secretary of state may place a name on the ballot when he or she has “determined that the candidate is generally advocated for or recognized throughout the United States or California as actively seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party for President of the United States.” The secretary of state must announce the names of these candidates between the 150th day and the 68th day preceding the presidential primary.

A candidate who is not selected by the secretary of state may petition for placement on the Democratic primary ballot. The petition must contain signatures “equal in number to not less than 1 percent or 500, whichever is fewer, in each congressional district of the number of persons registered as members of the Democratic Party in the report of registration issued by the Secretary of State on the 135th day preceding the presidential primary election.” Petition signatures must be filed with the county elections official of the county in which they were collected at least 73 days prior to the primary.

Republican Party:

The secretary of state selects candidates for placement on the Republican presidential primary ballot. State law stipulates that the secretary of state may place a name on the ballot when he or she has “determined that the candidate is generally recognized throughout the United States or California as a candidate for the nomination of the Republican Party for President of the United States.” The secretary must announce the names of the selected candidates on or before the 120th day preceding the presidential primary.

A candidate who is not selected by the secretary of state may petition for placement on the Republican primary ballot. The petition, which can only be signed by registered Republicans, must contain signatures equaling at least 1 percent of the “number of persons registered as members of the Republican Party, as reflected in the report of registration issued by the Secretary of State on the 135th day preceding the presidential primary election.” Petition signatures must be filed with the county elections official of the county in which they were collected at least 74 days prior to the primary.

Independent Party:

The secretary of state selects candidates for placement on the American Independent presidential primary ballot. State law stipulates that the secretary of state may place a name on the ballot when he or she has “determined that the candidate is generally advocated for or recognized in the news media throughout the United States or California as actively seeking the nomination of the American Independent Party for President of the United States.” The secretary must announce the names of the selected candidates on or before the 120th day preceding the presidential primary.

A candidate who is not selected by the secretary of state may petition for placement on the American Independent primary ballot. The petition, which can only be signed by registered party members, must contain signatures equaling at least 1 percent of “the number of persons registered as members of the American Independent Party as reflected in the report of registration issued by the Secretary of State on the 135th day preceding the presidential primary election.” Petition signatures must be filed with the county elections official of the county in which they were collected at least 74 days prior to the primary.

Peace and Freedom Party:

The secretary of state selects candidates for placement on the Peace and Freedom presidential primary ballot. State law stipulates that the secretary of state may place a name on the ballot when he or she has “determined that the candidate is generally advocated for or recognized throughout the United States or California as actively seeking the presidential nomination of the Peace and Freedom Party or the national party with which the Peace and Freedom Party is affiliated.” The secretary must announce the names of the selected candidates on or before the 120th day preceding the presidential primary.

A candidate who is not selected by the secretary of state may petition for placement on the Peace and Freedom primary ballot. The petition, which can only be signed by registered party members, must contain signatures equaling at least 1 percent of “the number of persons registered as members of the Peace and Freedom Party as reflected in the report of registration issued by the Secretary of State on the 135th day preceding the presidential primary election. Petition signatures must be filed with the county elections official of the county in which they were collected at least 74 days prior to the primary.”

These same filing procedures apply to the Libertarian and Green parties.

Presidential electors are designated by the political parties. The electors chosen shall assemble at the State Capitol at 2 o’clock in the afternoon on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December next following their election. In case of the death or absence of any elector chosen, or if the number of electors is deficient for any other reason, the electors then present shall elect, from the citizens of the state, as many persons as will supply the deficiency. The electors, when convened, if both candidates are alive, shall vote by ballot for that person for President and that person for Vice President of the United States, who are, respectively, the candidates of the political party which they represent, one of whom, at least, is not an inhabitant of this state.