This law states that California's statewide general elections are held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November every even-numbered year.

In California, there are two different schedules for statewide direct primary elections. For years that aren’t divisible by four, the primary is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June. In years divisible by four, the primary happens on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March.

In years divisible evenly by four, California combines its presidential primary election with its statewide direct primary election. These combined elections take place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March.