VOTE411 Voter Guide

★★★ IMPORTANT ★★★EXPAND this compressed “About This Race” window (by clicking "Read More") for valuable information. Don't miss it!.After reading the expanded “About This Race” content:Beneath the large "Meet the candidates" text below, click inside the “View Answers” or “Compare Answers” boxes of each candidate you want to view.Then SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN, past ALL 4 candidate icons, to read the responses.Profiles under “Meet the candidates” are presented in the same order as on the ballot..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….★ BASIC DUTIES OF THE OFFICE ★.The Secretary of State is the head of elections and record keeping.As the state’s chief elections officer, oversees statewide elections and provides public access to campaign and lobbying financial information.Maintains certain business filings, authenticates trademarks, regulates notaries public, and enables secured creditors to protect their financial interests.Preserves California’s history by acquiring, safeguarding, and sharing the state’s historical treasures..Term: 4 years (renewable once, if voters re-elect).Base Salary: $184,447 as of Dec. 1, 2025. (Source)Incumbent: Shirley N. Weber, Democratic Party. Now in her 1st term and eligible for re-election..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….★ ABOUT THIS CONTEST ★.The two candidates with the most votes in the June primary election will run against each other in November. These two candidates could be from the same political party..There are 4 candidates for Secretary of State on the Secretary of State's Certified List of Candidates, and thus on the primary election ballot..Additional candidates for this office might appear on the Secretary of State's Certified List of Write-In Candidates, which will be released May 22, 2026..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….★ PAID STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS ★.All candidates for Secretary of State who accepted a campaign spending limit of $7,844,000 were eligible to purchase space for a statement in the state Voter Information Guide at the rate of $25 per word, not to exceed $6,250 for 250 words..Gary N. Blenner, Green Party (1st statement on linked page)Michael Feinstein, Green Party (2nd statement on linked page)Donald P. (Don) Wagner, Republican Party (1st statement on linked page)Shirley N. Weber, Democratic Party (2nd statement on linked page).……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….★ CAMPAIGN FINANCE DATA ★.With some exceptions, the deadline to report campaign contributions and expenditures for the period January 1–April 18 is April 23. This means that as of March 28, 2026, most reported campaign finance activities took place in 2025..Fundraising Totals: SECRETARY OF STATE(Source, as of March 28, 2026).(1482695) Wagner for Secretary Of State 2026 has raised $67,700.00 in 12 contributions.The following 3 candidates had not reported any campaign contribution data as of March 28, 2026: Blenner, Feinstein, Weber..Additional resources:.For the top ten contributors (above a certain threshold) to campaigns for State elected offices, visit fppc.ca.gov/search-filings/top-10-contributors-list/june-2026-primary-election. (No relevant data posted as of March 28, 2026.).For details of all contributors to candidates for State elected offices, visit powersearch.sos.ca.gov/advanced.php..For details of independent expenditures by groups in support of (or in opposition to) candidates for State elected offices, visit powersearch.sos.ca.gov..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….TO VIEW INFORMATION SHARED BY THE CANDIDATES (more coming soon, so check back!):.Beneath the large "Meet the candidates" text below, click inside the “View Answers” or “Compare Answers” boxes of each candidate you want to view.Then SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN, past ALL 4 candidate icons, to read the responses..Profiles under “Meet the candidates” are presented in the same order as on the ballot..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….