California Democrats Return Just 10% of Ballots in 60-Candidate Governor Primary
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 28
California Democrats Return Just 10% of Ballots in 60-Candidate Governor Primary
9 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 28
About 10% of California’s 23 million voters had cast ballots by Wednesday, including 10% of Democrats versus 15% of Republicans, an unusual pattern in a state where Democrats typically vote early.
The slowdown reflects a chaotic, crowded race to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom, with roughly 60 candidates and no clear Democratic frontrunner as voters wait for late polling or reluctantly settle on a choice.
PPIC’s mid-May poll showed Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton at about 20% each, while Tom Steyer, Chad Bianco and Katie Porter drew 10% to 15%, leaving Democrats split across several viable contenders.
That fragmentation had raised fears that California’s top-two primary could send two Republicans to the general election, though Eric Swalwell’s exit and Donald Trump’s endorsement of Hilton appear to have reshaped the field rather than clarified it.
Could California's chaotic primary and voter indecision signal a need for fundamental election reform?
As postal service delays threaten last-minute ballots, how secure is the vote in this high-stakes primary?
When massive spending fails to create a frontrunner, what truly influences voters in a crowded election?
Low Democratic Turnout and Vote-Splitting Threaten California Democrats with 2026 Gubernatorial Lockout
Overview
As California nears its June 2nd primary, voter turnout is strikingly low, with only about 5.1% of Democrats returning ballots compared to 8.3% of Republicans. Most voters are holding onto their ballots, and there is widespread indecision, especially among Democrats. This uncertainty is fueled by a crowded Democratic gubernatorial field and a lack of inspiring candidates, leading to delayed participation. Black voters are also slightly underrepresented in early returns. Together, these factors create a challenging environment for Democrats, raising concerns about party unity and the risk of being locked out of the general election.