California primary elections are underway, with the deadline to register coming up Monday.

The primaries allow voters to narrow down candidates on the ballot for the general election in November. Laws governing primaries vary by state.

“California does not run a Democratic and a Republican primary,” said political science professor Elizabeth Huffman. “In the California primary, everybody runs in the same race and the top two, regardless of party, go on to November.”

Leading candidates for the governor’s race include six Democrats and two Republicans.

“The Democratic Party is freaking out about this because their vote is being split among numerous candidates,” Huffman said.

Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, businessman Tom Steyer and California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond are among the Democratic candidates.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News host Steve Hilton make up the Republican ballot.

Catharine James, a 19-year-old political science and Spanish major, said she factors social issues and debate etiquette into her vote.

“This year, some of my main focuses has been positions on immigration, housing and the homelessness crisis,” James said. “I dislike the culture of our debates where everyone’s interrupting each other, and I think that also plays a role in who I would like to vote for.”

Only about a fourth of the voting-age population in California participates in primary elections, according to a report by the States United Democracy Center. This number is even lower for students.

“The decision of who the candidate is going to be is made by a much smaller number of voters and, typically, the most diehard or go-getter,” Huffman said. “Your choices are going to be shaped by those who are most fervent about their ideas.”

Khloe Nguyen, a 19-year-old engineering major, said she wasn’t aware of the upcoming primaries.

“Even though it indicates who’s on the ballot, it doesn’t indicate who’s going to be appointed,” Nguyen said. “So, to me, it doesn’t bear as much direct importance.”

James said she believes low student voter turnout is a result of limited political education among students.

“We are just starting to pay taxes all the time,” James said. “We’re just starting to kind of notice, ‘Oh, we have this right now.’”

She added that trust in government is generally low.

“There is low government efficiency, so there’s a low belief that our vote does something,” James said.

Nguyen said unfamiliarity with the process may also play a role.

“Voter registration might be kind of confusing for students who are not used to voting, or people who just turned 18,” Nguyen said. “Also, people just are too busy studying.”

Huffman said students can find more information about the primaries on Ballotpedia and CalMatters.

“Your November choices are being shaped now, so you want to get a word in,” Huffman said.

The final day to vote in person or mail a ballot is June 2.

Students who are eligible to vote can register online or submit an application at any local county elections office or Department of Motor Vehicles field office.