California's Democratic support in presidential elections is well known, but it also has several battleground states that will be crucial in determining which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives this year.

Additionally, voters will elect new U.S. senators, decide on several ballot measures and influence numerous local elections.

Here's what you need to know:

When is the election?

Election Day is November 5, but in California, it's effectively election month because all of the state's 22.2 million voters will receive a mail-in ballot, which is due to be sent out by October 7.

What will voters decide?

The presidential race between Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump is the front-runner and the most closely watched. Californians will also decide whether to give the Senate seat held for decades by Democrat Dianne Feinstein, who died last year, to Rep. Adam B. Schiff, D-Burbank, or former Republican Dodgers star Steve Garvey.

Given that California's statewide electorate is heavily biased toward Democrats (no Republican has won a statewide election since 2006), these races are not particularly competitive.

But California could potentially swing control of Congress. The state's 10 House races are rated as tight by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, with the most competitive races in Orange, Los Angeles and Riverside counties and the Central Valley. Republicans, Democrats and outside groups are pouring millions of dollars into the state in an attempt to sway those elections.

Voters will also have a say on 10 statewide ballot measures.

The most controversial is Proposition 36, which stiffens penalties for some property and drug offenses, an effort to repeal parts of Proposition 47, an earlier voter-approved ballot measure that sought to ease prison overcrowding by reducing felonies to misdemeanors. Many law enforcement officials blame the 2014 measure for California's rise in homelessness and crime.

Voters would also be asked to raise the state's minimum wage to $18 an hour on Proposition 32 and sign two $10 billion bonds: one to build and modernize K-12 schools and community colleges (Prop. 2), and the other to fund flood and fire protection and address climate change (Prop. 4).

Other statewide measures ask voters to reaffirm same-sex marriage rights, limit forced labor in prisons, make permanent a tax on managed care plans that was set to expire in 2026 and restrict how health care providers, particularly the AIDS Medical Foundation, can spend prescription drug revenues.

Voters elect 100 state lawmakers to represent them in Sacramento: 80 state representatives and half of the 40 state senators. Democrats are expected to maintain veto-proof supermajorities in both chambers, but an unusually large number of elections without incumbents means voters are likely to send many newcomers to the Legislature this year.

What about elections in Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles?

Los Angeles County residents will choose from candidates for City Commissioner, Judiciary and School Board.

The most closely watched race is a referendum on criminal justice policy between Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón and challenger Nathan Hochman.

Voters will also be asked whether to double the county's 25-cent homeless sales tax (Measure H), which is set to expire in 2027. If approved, the new tax, which funds affordable housing, rental assistance and programs that help prevent and reduce homelessness, would remain in effect unless repealed by voters.

Also on the ballot is a proposition (Measure G) that would increase the number of members on the County Board of Supervisors from five to nine and elect the County Executive.

In Los Angeles, voters will be asked whether to create independent redistricting commissions for the Los Angeles City Council (Charter Amendment DD) and the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education (Charter Amendment LL) in the wake of the release of audio recordings of city leaders making racist remarks while discussing redistricting. The charter amendments would also strengthen the Ethics Commission (Charter Amendment ER).

There are also three City Council races, including a contest between former state Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian and small business owner Jillian Burgos to replace Paul Krekorian, who served as City Council President for 15 years. Councilman Kevin De Leon, one of the city leaders made derogatory comments in the leaked audio, and Councilman Heather Hutt, who was appointed to replace Mark Ridley-Thomas, who was indicted and later convicted in a federal corruption case, are seeking re-election against tenants' rights attorney Isabel J. Jurado and attorney and local council member Grace Yu, respectively.

How do I find out if I'm registered to vote?

Californians can check their status online using their driver's license, state ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. here.

Can I still register to vote?

The deadline to register to vote is October 21st. You can register online . here.

Paper applications are available at your county elections office, library, DMV or post office, or you can call (800) 345-VOTE (8683) or email your application. Election Division OfficerPaper applications must be postmarked or submitted to your county elections office no later than 15 days before Election Day, which is Oct. 21.

If you miss the deadline, you can register as a conditional voter. To register, see here.

Where can I find the Voter Guide?

States and counties will mail guides to all registered voters, and state-issued guides can be found online. here.

Can I vote even if I don't have a permanent address?

People who are homeless, off the grid or without a permanent address are eligible to vote as long as they are U.S. citizens or California residents, are 18 years of age or older, are not serving a felony sentence, and have not been found mentally incompetent by a court.

People without a permanent address can receive voting materials at shelters, post office boxes, and businesses, but they cannot register to vote at a post office box or business address.

Voters evacuated by wildfires You can have your mail-in ballot sent to a different address by calling or visiting your county elections office. registerEven if you set up mail forwarding with your post office, your mail-in ballot will not be forwarded unless you request a change of address with election officials.

All voters have the right to vote in person on Election Day.