The procrastinator’s guide to California’s primary election: Here’s what you need to know before you vote

So you waited until now to vote in California’s March 5 primary election. That’s OK, you aren’t alone. And the good news is, it’s not too late.

Here’s everything you need to know before you vote:

What am I voting on?

This primary election includes contests for both the Democratic and Republican nominees to be the next President of the United States. It will also determine who goes on to the November election to fill the seat left vacant by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who died last fall.

Voters will also decide which congressional and legislative candidates they wish to see move on to the November election.

Finally, voters are being asked to consider one ballot measure, Proposition 1, which does two things: It restructures the 2004 Mental Health Services Act to shift $140 million in behavioral health funding away the counties and toward the state, and it authorizes a $6.4 billion bond to build new mental health and substance abuse treatment centers as well as more housing for the homeless.

You can read all about the various races and elections in our voter guide.

When should I vote?

You have until 8 p.m. on March 5 to turn your ballot in at a voting center. If you mail your ballot in, it must be postmarked by Tuesday in order to be accepted. Mail-in ballots will be accepted until March 12.

You can track your ballot once it has been mailed in. Here’s how.

Who are the candidates?

In the presidential primaries, on the Democratic side the only serious candidate is the incumbent, President Joe Biden. Poll after poll shows Biden winning the California primary election, as well as take the state in the general election in November.

Biden’s likely opponent in November is former President Donald Trump, whom polls show set to win the Republican presidential primary against former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

A much closer race is that to fill the late Feinstein’s U.S. Senate seat, currently held by Sen. Laphonza Butler.

Butler is not running for reelection, meaning the seat is up for grabs, and the race for it has been a heated one.

Three Democratic members of Congress — Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, and Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland — are vying with each other and Republican retired baseball star Steve Garvey to be the next senator from California. Only two will go on to the November general.

In Sacramento, voters will decide who will succeed Assemblyman Kevin McCarty — who is running for Sacramento mayor — in the California State Assembly — and there are a whopping 10 candidates vying for the seat.

How do I check my voter registration?

All you have to do is visit this website.

While the voter registration deadline was Feb. 20, you can still conditionally register and vote in the primary election at your county elections office or polling place up to, and including, Election Day.

How can I vote in Sacramento County?

You can take your ballot to one of the dropoff locations, or visit a vote center if you need assistance, such as requesting a new ballot. For more information, you can call the Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections Office at (916) 875-6451.

How can I vote in Placer County?

You can find a list of ballot dropoff locations here. For more information, you can call the Placer County Office of Elections at (530) 886-5650.

How can I vote in El Dorado County?

The county maintains a number of voter centers and ballot dropoff locations. For more information, you can call the El Dorado County elections office in Placerville at (530) 621-7480 or, from El Dorado Hills, (916) 358-3555, ext. 7480. The South Lake Tahoe office can be reached at (530) 573-7955, ext. 7480.

How can I vote in Yolo County?

You can find information on voting centers and ballot dropoff locations by visiting here. For more information from Yolo County elections, call (530) 666-8133.

Who’s telling the truth?

• Fact check: Here’s what was true, false and almost true at the California Senate debate

• Fact check: California Senate candidates spar at second debate. Here’s what was true and false

• Fact checking the final California Senate debate: Who was right about the economy, oil and ads?

• Fact check: Did Katie Porter get campaign cash from Big Pharma, Big Oil and Big Banks?

• What was and was not true when Donald Trump blasted California, Gavin Newsom at CPAC

• Fact check: California Democratic congressional candidate did not praise Hezbollah and Hamas