2026 State Member Election

The 2026 State Member Notice of Election (PDF) provides information on becoming a candidate, voter eligibility, and the election schedule.

Ever considered serving on the CalPERS Board of Administration? Learn about the requirements of becoming a candidate in this election by accessing How to Become a Candidate in the State, School & Public Agency Elections.

Information on the candidates running in this election will be posted after the nomination period ends May 14, 2026. Written and video recorded candidate statements will also be posted in August 2026.

The random drawing for the order of candidate names to appear on the ballot for the state member election will be held on June 4, 2026. Additional details will be available after the nomination period ends.

A ballot package containing voting instructions, your ballot, a prepaid return envelope, and the candidate statements will be mailed on August 28, 2026, to the address we have on file for eligible voters. Make sure your current address is up to date in myCalPERS. CalPERS state members whose status is active as of July 1, 2026, are eligible to vote in the primary election.

Voting will be open from August 28 through September 28. Your vote must be received by mail, telephone, or online, by 11:59 p.m. PT on September 28, 2026, to be counted. Only one vote per eligible member will be counted. Should you attempt to vote using more than one voting method, only the first vote received will be considered valid.

Returned envelopes will be scanned and secured at 7720 Hardeson Road, Suite B, Everett, WA, throughout the voting period. Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on September 29, 2026, the sealed and signed envelopes containing the voted ballots will be opened, the ballots removed, and processed at the Everett, Washington location. Note: Processing the ballots does not include counting the votes. That will take place during the electronic tabulation process. Public viewing will be allowed.

Upon completion of the paper ballot process, the electronic tabulation process of all ballots received by mail, by phone, and online will be held at The Embassy Suites, John A. Sutter Boardroom, 100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814. The time for the tabulation will be announced promptly following the completion of the paper ballot process. Public viewing will be allowed.

If a candidate doesn’t receive a majority vote in the primary election, a runoff election will be conducted between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes. CalPERS state members active as of October 1, 2026, are eligible to vote in the runoff election. 

A runoff ballot package will be mailed on November 6, 2026, and the voting period will be open from November 6 until December 7. Your vote must be received by mail, telephone, or online by 11:59 p.m. PT on December 7, 2026, to be counted. Only the first vote received will be counted.