Election Day updates: Voters to cast ballots in competitive races for LA mayor, CA governor and more

California voters head to the polls today, June 2, 2026, to decide a crowded field of candidates in the gubernatorial race and critical local contests, including the reelection bid for Los Angeles mayor. With millions of ballots yet to be cast, the election marks the final opportunity to determine which contenders advance to November.

The Gubernatorial Race: A Tightening Three-Way Contest

cluster (priority): Los Angeles Daily News

The race to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom has evolved into a high-stakes struggle for position, with recent polling indicating a significant shift in momentum. Former U.S. health secretary Xavier Becerra has moved to the front of the pack, a remarkable turnaround for a candidate who spent much of the primary period trailing in lower-tier status. Meanwhile, billionaire businessman Tom Steyer and former political advisor Steve Hilton are locked in a fierce battle for the second spot, which would secure a place in the November runoff under California’s “jungle primary” system. The financial scale of the campaign is unprecedented, with the gubernatorial primary surpassing $315 million in total ad spending and reservations, according to ABC7. Steyer, who has personally invested more than $200 million into his campaign, used his final hours of campaigning to emphasize his independence from corporate influence. “There are really only three people for two spots,” Tom Steyer, billionaire businessman Steyer’s campaign strategy has focused on the cost-of-living crisis, a theme echoed by his Republican rival, Steve Hilton. Hilton has worked to consolidate the conservative vote, positioning himself as an alternative to the Democratic dominance that has defined California politics since the departure of former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2011. “People are done with all the taxes and chaos and the crime and the homeless, the high cost of gas and the high cost of housing,” Steve Hilton, gubernatorial candidate For his part, Becerra has centered his platform on housing, promising immediate executive action should he win the seat. “On my first day as governor, I will declare California’s housing shortage a state of emergency. No more studies, no more task forces. We have homes to build right now.”Xavier Becerra, former U.S. health secretary

Voting Logistics and Misinformation Concerns

As of Sunday, the California secretary of state’s office reported that approximately 3.87 million of the state’s 23.3 million registered voters had already cast their ballots. Locally, the Los Angeles Daily News notes that roughly 10% of the county’s 5.9 million registered voters had their ballots accepted as of early this week. Election officials are working to manage both the physical logistics of the day and the narrative surrounding the integrity of the vote. Tensions surfaced over the weekend when former President Donald Trump claimed on Fox News that California lacks voting booths, asserting that the state relies exclusively on mail-in ballots. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder responded with a “MISINFORMATION ALERT,” directing voters to an interactive map of the county’s 646 vote centers, as reported by the Daily Bulletin. Polls remain open across the state from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Voters who are in line at a designated vote center by 8 p.m. are legally entitled to cast their ballots. While mail-in ballots can be submitted at drop boxes until the 8 p.m. deadline, election officials strongly advise that voters utilizing the U.S. Postal Service should physically hand their ballots to a clerk to ensure a timely postmark.

Broad Implications for Local and Federal Power

cluster (priority): NBC Los Angeles

Beyond the governor’s mansion, the primary carries significant weight for the political trajectory of Los Angeles. Mayor Karen Bass is currently fighting to secure her reelection, making a series of appearances to distinguish her record from two primary challengers, according to NBC Los Angeles. The ballot also features a complex array of choices for local voters, ranging from county supervisor and sheriff contests to critical congressional races. These legislative showdowns are being closely monitored, as they may ultimately determine which party controls the House of Representatives. As the day progresses, the focus will shift to the tabulation centers. With the “jungle primary” rules allowing the top two candidates to advance regardless of party, the margin between Steyer and Hilton in the race for governor could prove to be the most consequential dynamic of the evening. If the current polling holds, the state may be headed for a runoff that pits two Democratic candidates against one another, or potentially creates a cross-party showdown that could reshape California’s political landscape for the November general election.