California (rank #1 of 50 by population)

Data snapshot: 2026-03-27 · Population ~39.4M

1. Key organs of government

States typically divide power into executive (governor and agencies), legislative (bicameral legislature except Nebraska), and judicial (courts of last resort and lower courts). Below: statewide elected executive, each legislative chamber, and the apex court.

Executive branch: Governor (chief executive); Lieutenant Governor; Attorney General; Secretary of State; Controller, Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, Superintendent of Public Instruction (statewide elected)
California State Senate — President pro tempore of the Senate · 40 seats · Democratic majority (~80.0% of seats)
California State Assembly — Speaker of the Assembly · 80 seats · Democratic majority (~77.5% of seats)
Supreme Court of California — Chief Justice · 7 seats · Governor appointment from nominating commission; retention elections

2. Elected seats & majority strength

Organ / body	Total seats	Presiding / chief role	Majority party	Approx. majority seats	% of chamber
California State Senate	40	President pro tempore of the Senate	Democratic	32	80.0%
California State Assembly	80	Speaker of the Assembly	Democratic	62	77.5%
Supreme Court of California	7	Chief Justice	— (court)	—	—

Note: Majority figures are approximate snapshots; special elections can change counts. Verify on the state legislature website. Current Speaker / Senate president (or equivalent) names appear on each legislature’s leadership page, not in this static file.

3. Leader of the executive (Governor)

Office	Governor
Current officeholder	Gavin Newsom (Democratic)
Last general election	2022-11-08
Next general election	2026-11-03
Term note	2027-01 (typical inauguration cycle)

4. Legislative elections (both chambers)

Last general	2024-11-05
Next general	2026-11-03
Note	Legislative elections in November of even years (plus any specials).

Which seats are on the ballot next?

California State Assembly. All 80 seats have 2-year terms. Every seat is on the ballot in November 2026 (and in every general election in even years).
California State Senate. Senators serve staggered 4-year terms (40 districts). About half of the chamber is elected each even-year November. In November 2026, 20 of 40 Senate seats are on the ballot; the other 20 were last elected in 2024 and are next up in 2028.

5. Critical dates (typical patterns)

General election (even years): First Tuesday after first Monday in November
Legislature convenes: Early December (org. session) / January (new session)
Primary (top-two): March in presidential years; check Secretary of State calendar