Election law is a broad category of state and federal laws—statutes, constitutions, and case law (court opinions)—and includes issues related to voter eligibility; voting methods and processes; vote tabulations and recounts; and the financing and expenditures of state and federal political campaigns.

In California, election law is governed by a combination of state statutes, the state constitution, federal laws, and judicial decisions. Voter eligibility in California requires individuals to be U.S. citizens, residents of California, at least 18 years of age on Election Day, and not currently in state or federal prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony. California offers various voting methods, including in-person voting, vote-by-mail, and early voting. The state has also implemented the Voter's Choice Act, which allows counties to conduct elections using a model that includes vote centers and ballot drop-off locations. Vote tabulations and recounts are conducted under strict guidelines to ensure accuracy and transparency, with provisions for both automatic recounts in very close races and requested recounts. Campaign finance is regulated by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), which enforces state laws related to campaign financing and expenditures, including contribution limits and disclosure requirements. Additionally, federal laws such as the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) also apply to California, setting standards for election administration and campaign finance at the federal level.