HAMILTON, Canada Polls opened Tuesday morning across California for closely watched special elections that will fill several vacant state and local offices. According to the California Secretary of State's Office, polling stations opened at 7 am local time (1500GMT) and will remain open until 8 pm (0400GMT Wednesday). Local officials said more than 2 million ballots had already been returned in the most populous US state ahead of Election Day through drop boxes and early voting centers.