Californians will soon vote on who advances in the race for the Golden State’s next governor — an outcome that will determine the state’s direction on issues ranging from housing and homelessness to crime, climate change, and the economy.
The state follows a top-two primary system, meaning all candidates are listed on the same ballot. The two candidates who receive the most votes, regardless of party, advance to the general election in November.
Key facts to know about California’s governor’s race
What’s at stake:
The governor sets the agenda for the nation’s most populous state, overseeing a budget of more than $300 billion and leading policy on housing, education, immigration, and climate.
Why this race matters nationally:
California often sets policy trends that ripple across the country, and the governor is frequently a national political figure.
How the primary works:
All candidates run on the same ballot. The top two finishers advance to the November general election — even if they’re from the same party.
Election date:
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 2. Many voters will cast ballots weeks earlier by mail.
Who’s running for California governor?
The top gubernatorial candidates include:
Other notable Democratic candidates include: Matt Mahan, Antonio Villaraigosa, Tony Thurmond, and Betty Yee. An additional 51 candidates are also running for governor. A list of candidates and their titles can be found here.
Eric Swalwell, a Democratic U.S. representative from the Bay Area, was a frontrunner but dropped from the race on Sunday, April 12, amid sexual assault allegations.
For this election, you will still see Swalwell listed as a candidate for governor even though he has ended his campaign. Under California election rules, once the list of candidates is certified and ballots are being prepared, officials generally do not remove names, so withdrawals that happen after that deadline do not change what appears on your ballot.
Where the candidates stand on key issues
Economy and cost of living
While all candidates agree the state’s housing shortage is at the heart of the state’s economic woes, they differ on what’s creating the crisis and the extent of the government’s role.
Hilton sees the high cost of living in California as rooted in government overreach, calling for a reduction in regulations and taxes to foster economic growth. Bianco echoes the sentiment, calling for a halt to “the over-regulation of California’s economy to support job growth and business.”
Porter has called for bringing businesses, workers, and government together to bolster the economy, with a focus on the middle-class family. Steyer argues that “California is too expensive,” pointing to both housing and utility costs. Steyer sees the economy as imbalanced, with a “two-tiered tax system,” in which “working people pay their fair share, (and) the wealthiest people and corporations exploit tax loopholes to skip out on paying billions of dollars every year.”
Housing and homelessness
Each of the candidates acknowledges that homelessness is tied to the state’s housing issues, but has different perspectives on how to tackle the issue.
To address the issue of homelessness, Hilton has pointed to law enforcement and mental health treatment. Bianco has a similar take, with an enforcement-focused approach to homelessness, as well as providing “direct resources toward substance abuse to include legislation that will allow forced treatment when necessary.”
Porter believes the state’s high cost of living underlies the homelessness issue and is pushing for a reduction in housing costs, Black Voice News reported.
Steyer in an interview with ABC 7 urged that to tackle homelessness he would take a preventative approach.
Crime and public safety
Hilton supports expanding prison capacity to combat crime, arguing that lower-level criminals should serve little to no jail time. Meanwhile, Bianco calls for greater support and funding for law enforcement to tackle crime.
Porter, in an interview with ABC 10, urged prevention as a means of addressing crime, saying, “We really need to dig in on prevention and making our streets feel safe.”
In a February debate, Steyer urged that the state prioritize treatment over incarceration. He has called for the funding of rehabilitation options for people who break the law, rather than longer prison sentences.
Climate and energy
Both Republican candidates believe California’s climate and energy policies are too costly. Hilton supports rolling back environmental rules and looking at other energy sources, including fossil fuels. Bianco supports “nuclear as a clean and reliable source of California’s energy future.”
Porter and Steyer, on the other hand, support California’s climate stewardship, each calling for the expansion of clean energy.
Latest headlines on the California governor’s race
Polls and momentum
What the polls show:
Recent polling has found Republican candidates Hilton and Bianco leading among likely voters, with a cluster of Democratic candidates trailing.
Steyer is leading among Democratic candidates, with Porter and Becerra close behind. Four more Democratic candidates (Mahan, Villaraigosa, Yee, and Thurmond) each draw a smaller share of likely voters.
How the top‑two primary could shape the race
In California, the Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act requires that all candidates for a voter-nominated office be listed on the same ballot, according to the California Secretary of State.
What this means for the June primary:
What other races will appear on June primary’s ballot?
Other races that will appear on the June primary ballot include:
Key dates for June primary
Some key dates for the June primary include:
How to check if you’re registered to vote in June primary
To check if you are a registered voter, you can do so online through the California Secretary of State’s website.
You will be prompted to enter personal information, such as your name and birthdate, as well as your driver’s license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
How to register to vote in June primary
To register to vote, you can do so online through the California Secretary of State’s website.
“You can also pick up an application at your county elections office, any Department of Motor Vehicles office, and many post offices, public libraries, and government offices,” according to the state’s website. “To have a paper application mailed to you, call your county elections office or the Secretary of State’s toll-free voter hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683).”
Will all voters receive a mail-in ballot for June primary?
Yes. All registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the June primary election.
If you don’t receive your ballot, you should contact your county elections office.
What if a mistake is made on June primary ballot?
If you make a mistake on your ballot, but have not cast it, you can:
How to return a ballot for June primary
Once you have filled out your ballot, you can return it via mail, drop box, or in person at a dedicated voting center.
If you are casting your vote by mail, it must be postmarked on or before June 2 and received by your county elections office no later than June 10.
You can return your ballot in person at your county elections office or at any polling or ballot drop-off location by 8 p.m. on June 2. Ballot drop-off locations will open on May 5.
How to vote in person for June primary
To vote in person on Election Day, you can do so at your designated polling place on June 2 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Your polling place will be included on your Voter Information Guide mailed to you by your county elections official. You can also find your polling place on the California Secretary of State’s website or by calling: (800) 345-VOTE (8683).
What if signature on ballot does not match records?
With each ballot, election officials verify that the signature on a voter’s voter registration card matches the signature on the ballot.
Should election officials find a signature is missing or does not match, you will be notified and given a deadline to fix the signature.
How to track your June primary ballot
You can track the status of your ballot using the state’s Where’s My Ballot tracking tool.
The tool allows you to track when your ballot is mailed, received, and counted. It also allows you to sign up for automatic email, SMS (text), or voice call notifications about your ballot’s status.
What’s next after California’s June primary?
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California governor primary guide with candidates dates, voting info
Reporting by Daniella Segura, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
