California
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Ballot Drop Boxes
Return your ballot by Tuesday, June 16
Return your vote-by-mail ballots by mail, at a drop-off location, or your county elections office:
- Ballot drop-off locations open on May 19, 2026.
- Vote centers open for early in-person voting beginning on June 6, 2026.
- Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked no later than June 16 and received by June 23, 2026.
Courage California recommends voters mail in their ballots by June 9, or vote in-person or drop off ballots at designated election locations by June 16, to ensure their ballot is received and counted.
14th Congressional District
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below congressional districts on your ballot.
Courage California endorses Dr. Aisha Wahab for Congress to keep CD-14 on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Dr. Aisha Wahab has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Equality California, Alameda Labor Council, and many other labor groups. She has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including California Chiefs of Police Association, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
Electoral history: Dr. Wahab was elected to the state Senate in 2022 after earning over 53% of the vote. She previously won her 2018 bid for the at-large Hayward City Council seat with 27% of the vote. Wahab ran for the CD-15 seat in 2020 but withdrew her candidacy before the election, when Rep. Swalwell ended his presidential campaign and ran for re-election.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, affordability, and workforce development.
Governance and community leadership experience: Dr. Wahab currently serves as the state senator for SD-10. During her time in the state legislature, she has authored bills to cap the cost of insulin, prohibit federal law enforcement from wearing masks when operating in the state, and increase legal protections for survivors of sexual assault. In her campaign and her work, she has highlighted the experience of working people, and supported policies that would improve the cost of living, expand homeownership, increase career training opportunities, and protect access to health care and public education. She scores a 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Dr. Wahab has supported most progressive bills that made it to a vote, and has earned the Courage All-Star designation.
Prior to her election to public office, Dr. Wahab was an organizer and advocate whose work was inspired by her own experiences with foster care, adoption, and unstable housing in the Bay Area community. During her career, she has served and held leadership roles on the Alameda County Human Relations Commission, Afghan Coalition, Abode Services, and Tri-City Volunteers. She was also the Alameda County Public Health Commissioner, and joined a White House Roundtable of Afghan-American leaders during the Obama administration.
Other background: Wahab is from Fremont and has lived in Hayward for most of her adult life. She is the first Afghan-American woman to be elected to public office in the United States.
The Race
Primary and special elections: Rep. Eric Swalwell, who has served in Congress since 2012, resigned from the CD-14 seat following sexual assault accusations that also ended his gubernatorial campaign. Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special election for the remainder of the current term, with a primary vote on June 16 and a runoff on August 18.Nine candidates are running for the next term in the June 2 primary: Dr. Aisha Wahab (D), Rakhi Israni (D), Melissa Hernandez (D), Matt Ortega (D), Carin Elam (D), Victor Aguilar (D), Wendy Huang (R), Dena Maldonado (R), and Suzanne Chenault (NPP). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.
Courage California endorses a vote for Dr. Aisha Wahab in each of these four upcoming elections.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Aisha Wahab’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rakhi Israni’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC. Notably, Israni has made significant donations to far-right Republicans in the past, including anti-abortion candidates, Laura Loomer, and the head of Christians United for Israel.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Melissa Hernandez’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Matt Orgeta’s campaign has raised $13,500 as of April 2026, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Carin Elam’s campaign has raised $4,400 as of April 2026, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Victor Aguilar’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Wendy Huang’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dena Maldonado’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Suzanne Chenault’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
The District
Change in district after Proposition 50 redistricting: With the passage of Proposition 50 in November 2025, California’s 14th congressional district went from D+ 32% to D+ 35%. These district lines will be in effect through the 2030 elections, after which the California Citizens Redistricting Commission will draw new lines.Counties in district: California’s 14th congressional district includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 54% Democrat, 18% Republican, and 28% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 20% Latino, 36% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: CD-14 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2020 by 35 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 34 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district and nationwide.The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 780,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
Democrats currently hold 42 of California’s seats, Republicans hold seven, and Independents hold one. The CD-01 seat is vacant, and will be filled in a special election with a June 2 primary and an August 4 runoff. The CD-14 seat is vacant, and will be filled in a special election with a June 16 primary and an August 18 runoff.
Courage California endorses Dr. Aisha Wahab for Congress to keep CD-14 on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Dr. Aisha Wahab has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Equality California, Alameda Labor Council, and many other labor groups. She has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including California Chiefs of Police Association, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
Electoral history: Dr. Wahab was elected to the state Senate in 2022 after earning over 53% of the vote. She previously won her 2018 bid for the at-large Hayward City Council seat with 27% of the vote. Wahab ran for the CD-15 seat in 2020 but withdrew her candidacy before the election, when Rep. Swalwell ended his presidential campaign and ran for re-election.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, affordability, and workforce development.
Governance and community leadership experience: Dr. Wahab currently serves as the state senator for SD-10. During her time in the state legislature, she has authored bills to cap the cost of insulin, prohibit federal law enforcement from wearing masks when operating in the state, and increase legal protections for survivors of sexual assault. In her campaign and her work, she has highlighted the experience of working people, and supported policies that would improve the cost of living, expand homeownership, increase career training opportunities, and protect access to health care and public education. She scores a 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Dr. Wahab has supported most progressive bills that made it to a vote, and has earned the Courage All-Star designation.
Prior to her election to public office, Dr. Wahab was an organizer and advocate whose work was inspired by her own experiences with foster care, adoption, and unstable housing in the Bay Area community. During her career, she has served and held leadership roles on the Alameda County Human Relations Commission, Afghan Coalition, Abode Services, and Tri-City Volunteers. She was also the Alameda County Public Health Commissioner, and joined a White House Roundtable of Afghan-American leaders during the Obama administration.
Other background: Wahab is from Fremont and has lived in Hayward for most of her adult life. She is the first Afghan-American woman to be elected to public office in the United States.
The Race
Primary and special elections: Rep. Eric Swalwell, who has served in Congress since 2012, resigned from the CD-14 seat following sexual assault accusations that also ended his gubernatorial campaign. Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special election for the remainder of the current term, with a primary vote on June 16 and a runoff on August 18.Nine candidates are running for the next term in the June 2 primary: Dr. Aisha Wahab (D), Rakhi Israni (D), Melissa Hernandez (D), Matt Ortega (D), Carin Elam (D), Victor Aguilar (D), Wendy Huang (R), Dena Maldonado (R), and Suzanne Chenault (NPP). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.
Courage California endorses a vote for Dr. Aisha Wahab in each of these four upcoming elections.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Aisha Wahab’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rakhi Israni’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC. Notably, Israni has made significant donations to far-right Republicans in the past, including anti-abortion candidates, Laura Loomer, and the head of Christians United for Israel.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Melissa Hernandez’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Matt Orgeta’s campaign has raised $13,500 as of April 2026, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Carin Elam’s campaign has raised $4,400 as of April 2026, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Victor Aguilar’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Wendy Huang’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dena Maldonado’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Suzanne Chenault’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
The District
Change in district after Proposition 50 redistricting: With the passage of Proposition 50 in November 2025, California’s 14th congressional district went from D+ 32% to D+ 35%. These district lines will be in effect through the 2030 elections, after which the California Citizens Redistricting Commission will draw new lines.Counties in district: California’s 14th congressional district includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 54% Democrat, 18% Republican, and 28% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 20% Latino, 36% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: CD-14 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2020 by 35 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 34 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district and nationwide.The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 780,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
Democrats currently hold 42 of California’s seats, Republicans hold seven, and Independents hold one. The CD-01 seat is vacant, and will be filled in a special election with a June 2 primary and an August 4 runoff. The CD-14 seat is vacant, and will be filled in a special election with a June 16 primary and an August 18 runoff.
Courage California endorses Dr. Aisha Wahab for Congress to keep CD-14 on the right track for progress.
Progressive endorsements: Dr. Aisha Wahab has the endorsement of many groups, including Courage California, California Working Families Party, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Equality California, Alameda Labor Council, and many other labor groups. She has also received endorsements from problematic stakeholders, including California Chiefs of Police Association, and California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
Electoral history: Dr. Wahab was elected to the state Senate in 2022 after earning over 53% of the vote. She previously won her 2018 bid for the at-large Hayward City Council seat with 27% of the vote. Wahab ran for the CD-15 seat in 2020 but withdrew her candidacy before the election, when Rep. Swalwell ended his presidential campaign and ran for re-election.
Top issues: Homelessness and housing, affordability, and workforce development.
Governance and community leadership experience: Dr. Wahab currently serves as the state senator for SD-10. During her time in the state legislature, she has authored bills to cap the cost of insulin, prohibit federal law enforcement from wearing masks when operating in the state, and increase legal protections for survivors of sexual assault. In her campaign and her work, she has highlighted the experience of working people, and supported policies that would improve the cost of living, expand homeownership, increase career training opportunities, and protect access to health care and public education. She scores a 100 out of 100 on Courage Score, our annual analysis of legislators’ progressive voting records. Based on our Courage Score analysis, Dr. Wahab has supported most progressive bills that made it to a vote, and has earned the Courage All-Star designation.
Prior to her election to public office, Dr. Wahab was an organizer and advocate whose work was inspired by her own experiences with foster care, adoption, and unstable housing in the Bay Area community. During her career, she has served and held leadership roles on the Alameda County Human Relations Commission, Afghan Coalition, Abode Services, and Tri-City Volunteers. She was also the Alameda County Public Health Commissioner, and joined a White House Roundtable of Afghan-American leaders during the Obama administration.
Other background: Wahab is from Fremont and has lived in Hayward for most of her adult life. She is the first Afghan-American woman to be elected to public office in the United States.
The Race
Primary and special elections: Rep. Eric Swalwell, who has served in Congress since 2012, resigned from the CD-14 seat following sexual assault accusations that also ended his gubernatorial campaign. Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special election for the remainder of the current term, with a primary vote on June 16 and a runoff on August 18.Nine candidates are running for the next term in the June 2 primary: Dr. Aisha Wahab (D), Rakhi Israni (D), Melissa Hernandez (D), Matt Ortega (D), Carin Elam (D), Victor Aguilar (D), Wendy Huang (R), Dena Maldonado (R), and Suzanne Chenault (NPP). The top two vote recipients will advance to the general election on November 3.
Courage California endorses a vote for Dr. Aisha Wahab in each of these four upcoming elections.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dr. Aisha Wahab’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Rakhi Israni’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC. Notably, Israni has made significant donations to far-right Republicans in the past, including anti-abortion candidates, Laura Loomer, and the head of Christians United for Israel.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Melissa Hernandez’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Matt Orgeta’s campaign has raised $13,500 as of April 2026, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Carin Elam’s campaign has raised $4,400 as of April 2026, and is not funded by police, fossil fuel, real estate, or corporate PAC interests.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Victor Aguilar’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Wendy Huang’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Dena Maldonado’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
Candidate fundraising and pledges: Suzanne Chenault’s campaign does not currently have fundraising information available through the FEC.
The District
Change in district after Proposition 50 redistricting: With the passage of Proposition 50 in November 2025, California’s 14th congressional district went from D+ 32% to D+ 35%. These district lines will be in effect through the 2030 elections, after which the California Citizens Redistricting Commission will draw new lines.Counties in district: California’s 14th congressional district includes parts of Alameda County.
Voter registration: 54% Democrat, 18% Republican, and 28% No Party Preference. Democrats typically hold this district.
District demographics: 20% Latino, 36% Asian, and 6% Black.
Recent election results: CD-14 voted for Kamala Harris for president in 2020 by 35 points and Gavin Newsom for governor in 2022 by 34 points.
The Position
Congressmembers represent and advocate for the needs of their district constituents at the United States Capitol. They are responsible for creating, debating, and voting on legislation that addresses issues within their district and nationwide.The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 780,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House of Representatives for a two-year term. California has 52 congressional representatives, the largest delegation in the country. There is no term limit for this position.
Democrats currently hold 42 of California’s seats, Republicans hold seven, and Independents hold one. The CD-01 seat is vacant, and will be filled in a special election with a June 2 primary and an August 4 runoff. The CD-14 seat is vacant, and will be filled in a special election with a June 16 primary and an August 18 runoff.