California's controller is the state's chief fiscal officer: its accountant and bookkeeper for public funds. The controller runs the state payroll and the unclaimed property program, audits state operations and sits on the Board of Equalization and other boards, according to the official voter guide.
- Malia M. Cohen (D), incumbent. Controller since 2023 and a former San Francisco supervisor. CalMatters notes she has urged caution on the state budget. In her ballot statement she points to expanded public access to financial and payroll data, monthly cash reports, returning unclaimed property in all 58 counties and work to modernize the state payroll system. She lists support from teachers, nurses, firefighters, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and building-trades unions.
- Herb W. Morgan (R). Listed on the ballot as a chief investment officer. CalMatters reports that he founded a San Diego investment firm that was later acquired by Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors, and that he is campaigning on exposing fraud. His statement says the controller "does not set policy" and promises an online database of state spending with transaction-level detail and near real-time reporting.
How to vote
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.
More races and measures: our 2026 election hub.