SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Election Day is next week. Have you voted yet?

If you’re reading this, chances are the answer to that is “no.” No worries, we're here to help you do your civic duty in fashionably late time.

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

What am I voting on?

The big race that everyone will be watching, of course, is the presidential battle between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump. Harris is widely projected to win California.

Californians also have a chance to vote for your choice for the state's next junior U.S. senator — a choice between Republican former baseball player Steve Garvey and Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff.

Then there’s the races for U.S. House of Representatives, state Senate, state Assembly, local races and, oh yeah, 10 statewide ballot initiatives..

When should I vote?

The best answer is right now. But you do have until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, to turn your ballot in at a voting center. Otherwise, you must mail your ballot in and have it be postmarked for Nov. 5 and received by Nov. 12 in order for it to be counted.

You can track your ballot once it has been mailed in by signing up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.

Who are the candidates?

As mentioned, the leading candidates for president are Harris and Trump.

Harris is a former San Francisco district attorney, state attorney general and U.S. senator. For the last four years her job title has been vice president. Trump is a celebrity real estate developer whose only experience in public service was serving as U.S. president from 2017 to 2021.

The latest survey from the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California shows Harris leading Trump, with 59% of likely voters supporting her.

The race for U.S. Senate pits Garvey, a political outsider, against Schiff, very much a political insider. The two men have been at odds over several issues, including support of Trump — Garvey voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, while Schiff helped lead the first impeachment effort against Trump.

The PPIC shows that likely voters strongly favor Schiff over Garvey, 63% to 37%.

What are the issues?

This year’s California general election ballot has 10 measures for voters to decide on. Here’s a brief rundown of what they do.

Proposition 2 authorizes a $10 billion bond to pay for the construction, updates of K-12 school facilities around the state.

Proposition 3 repeals the constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage.

Proposition 4 authorizes a $10 billion bond to pay for a variety of projects, including environmental protection efforts and wildfire prevention.

Proposition 5 lowers the vote threshold for local bond measures to fund affordable housing and public infrastructure from two-thirds to 55%.

Proposition 6 prohibits incarcerated people from being forced into involuntary servitude.

Proposition 32 would raise the state minimum wage to $18 an hour, up from $15.

Proposition 33 would allow local governments greater authority to enact rent control measures.

Proposition 34 would require health care providers to spend 98% of revenues from the federal discount prescription drug program on patient care.

Proposition 35 would authorize a tax on managed care organizations to pay for Medi-Cal programs.

Proposition 36 would reinstate felony penalties for certain drug- and theft-related criminal offenses.

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