California voters cast their primary ballots on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 [1], for the governor's race and the Los Angeles mayoral race.
The results of these contests will narrow the field to two finalists for each office under the state's top-two primary system. This mechanism ensures that the general election in November features only the most popular candidates, regardless of party affiliation.
In the race for governor, 61 candidates competed for the top spots [2]. High-profile hopefuls include Xavier Becerra, Tom Steyer, Steve Hilton, and Chad Bianco. While some early reports suggested a surge in Republican votes, other analysts indicated the primary could result in a "blue wave" for Democrats.
"We’re seeing a strong turnout across the state," Secretary of State Shirley Weber said.
In Los Angeles, the mayoral race features candidates Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt, and Nithya Raman. The competition for the city's highest office remains tight as officials tally the votes.
"The mayoral race is incredibly close, and every vote matters," Raman said.
Polls across the state closed on Tuesday evening, though reports on the exact timing varied between 7 p.m. PT [3] and 8 p.m. PT [1]. The outcome of these races is part of a broader electoral shift that may influence national politics.
"California’s primary will shape the balance of power in Congress for the next two years," Michael D. Shear said.
“"We’re seeing a strong turnout across the state,"”
The June 2 primary serves as a critical filter for California's executive leadership. By utilizing the top-two system, the state may see a general election where two candidates of the same party face off, potentially shifting the ideological direction of the governor's office and the Los Angeles mayoralty before the November vote.
