Election Updates in California: LA Ballots, Gubernatorial Race, and More

LA County Election Overview

Los Angeles County election officials estimate that over 700,000 ballots are still to be processed following Tuesday’s primary election. Dean Logan, the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, reported 77,521 ballots were processed since election night, bringing the total to nearly 1.4 million, representing around 23.7% of registered voters. As of late Wednesday, there were approximately 713,180 ballots yet to be counted, including 700,000 vote-by-mail, 11,340 conditional voter registration, and 1,840 provisional ballots. These numbers are subject to change as more ballots are processed.

LA Mayoral Race Developments

Spencer Pratt, a reality TV personality, currently leads against City Councilmember Nithya Raman in the bid to face incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the November election. Bass, who seeks a second term, continues to maintain a significant lead and has advanced to the November ballot.

California Governor’s Race

Republican Steve Hilton leads the gubernatorial race, with Democrat Xavier Becerra in a close second. Both candidates seek to advance to the November general election. Becerra, a former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, highlighted the challenges he faced, including limited funding and calls to drop out, but remains optimistic about his campaign.

Shasta County Measure B

A controversial measure requiring hand-counting of ballots and voter ID in Shasta County is leading in early results. Measure B faces legal challenges due to violations of state and federal elections laws. Despite this, its supporters argue it will protect against election fraud.

Monterey Park Bans Data Centers

Voters in Monterey Park approved a measure banning data centers, becoming the first U.S. city to do so by public vote. As of Wednesday, 86% voted in favor of Measure NDC, indicating strong opposition to the proposed data center in a residential area.

California’s Uncounted Votes

With millions of ballots left to count, experts predict that late tallies may favor Democrats, potentially impacting several tight races, including the governor’s contest. The extended counting period aligns with California’s focus on voter accessibility.

Key District Races

In the 34th Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Jimmy Gomez will face Angela Gonzales-Torres. In Congressional District 47, Rep. Dave Min will compete against Republican Jenny Rae Le Roux. Numerous other district races highlight Democrats’ strategic maneuvers to maintain or gain control.