You can start voting for president in California in nine days -- here's a handy guide

California voters can begin requesting absentee ballots for the Feb. 5 presidential primary election on Jan. 7. That means you can actually vote on that day if you turn your ballot into the elections office in your county. Elections officials say many Californians will vote that day.

The California Voter Foundation offers this excellent guide to the election.

Here are other key dates in this election:

Last day to register to vote -- Jan. 22.
Last Day to request an absentee ballot -- Jan. 29.

There also are seven propositions on the Feb. 5 ballot. Read about them by clicking here. The include four Indian gambling measures, a transportation measure and a community college funding measure.