California’s primary election system has changed many times in the last few decades - from closed, to open, to modified to California’s existing primary system that is often called the “Top Two Primary.”

Simply stated, the Top Two Primary permits the two candidates who received the most votes in the primary election contest they were a candidate, regardless of political party, and will move on to the general election ballot that November.

An election usually held at regular intervals (November) in which candidates are elected in all or most constituencies of a nation or state.

The November 8, 2022 Statewide Direct General Election highlighted many achievements for the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters’ Office (ROV).

The Presidential Primary Election in 2020 that was held in March, due to a special bill (Senate Bill 568) which allowed the ROV more time to prepare for the November 2022 General Presidential Election. The 2022 Statewide Direct General was held in November per standard Election Code. The ROV has continued to conduct successful elections under the Voters Choice Act (VCA) model. Under the VCA model, each voter registered in Santa Clara County received a vote-by-mail ballot, as well as had the opportunity to cast a ballot at any Vote Center within the county. The VCA model provides the voters of our county the chance to choose the most convenient way to vote for each individual. Widespread outreach, voter education, print media and radio advertisements, and local sports team collaborations combined with a strong social media presence resulted in a respectable turnout for the Direct Primary.

For the November 8, 2022 Statewide Direct General Election, total registration came in at 1,010,759. Out of the total registered voters, 551,267 ballots were cast overall, resulting in a total turnout rate of 54.5%.