In 2011, California voters enacted the Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act. This created “voter‑nominated” offices in which the top two vote-getters, regardless of political affiliation, advance to the General Election in November.
The Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act does not apply to candidates running for U.S. President, county central committees, or local offices.
In the General Election, eligible voters in California cast their votes to select their candidate of choice across all contests during the given year.