While California may be solidly Democratic in presidential races, a handful of competitive races in the state could determine whether Republicans maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Voters will also cast their ballots in a race for the U.S. Senate and 10 state races, as well as for president and the state legislature.
At the top of the ballot, Democratic Vice President <a href="https://www.world-today-news.com/donald-trump-whats-behind-the-us-presidents-baltimore-attack/" title="Donald Trump: What's behind the US President's Baltimore attack”>Kamala Harris — who is from California — will compete against former Republican President Donald Trump and seek to win the state’s 54 Electoral College votes. No Republican presidential candidate has won the state since 1988.
While the state’s congressional delegation is majority Democratic, it has about a half-dozen competitive House races, and in 2022 a victory in one of them gave the GOP a majority in the legislative body. This year’s top races include two Republicans in the agricultural Central Valley, three other Republicans in Southern California, and one open Democratic seat. One of the clearest routes for Democrats to take back the House is to pick up several Republican seats in friendly states like California and New York.
It will likely take days or even weeks to know who won in some districts because of how slowly California counts votes. The lengthy process begins with an initial vote report that reflects votes cast before Election Day.
The candidates to fill the Senate seat long held by the late Democrat Dianne Feinstein are Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff and former Republican baseball player Steve Garvey. They are running in two separate elections: one for the full six-year term and the other for the remaining weeks of Feinstein’s unexpired term. Laphonza Butler — the Democrat appointed to fill Feinstein’s vacancy — did not run to replace her.
Voters will also decide on a series of proposals, including one that would toughen punishments for recurring drug and theft charges.
In the state Legislature, half of the 40 seats in the California State Senate and all of the 80 seats in the state Assembly will be decided in the election. Democrats have disproportionate supermajorities in both chambers.
Oakland residents will decide whether to recall Mayor Sheng Thao.
The AP does not make predictions and declares a winner only when it has determined that there is no scenario that would allow the candidates trailing the leader to close the gap. If a race has not been declared, the AP continues its coverage of any newsworthy events, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. Doing so will make it clear that the AP has not yet declared a winner and explain why.
Here’s a look at what to expect in the 2024 elections in California:
Election Day:
November 5.
Polls closing time
11 pm Eastern Time.
Electoral College votes for the presidential race
54, awarded to the state winner.
The main contests
President: Harris (Democratic Party) vs. Trump (Republican Party) vs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (American Independent Party) vs. Jill Stein (Green Party) vs. Chase Oliver (Libertarian Party) vs. Claudia De la Cruz (Peace and Freedom Party). United States Senate: Schiff (D) vs. Garvey (R).
13th Congressional District: Representative John Duarte (R); Adam Gray (D).
22nd Congressional District: Representative David Valadao (R) vs. Rudy Salas (D).
27th Congressional District: Rep. Mike Garcia (R) vs. George Whitesides (D).
45th Congressional District: Representative Michelle Steel (R) vs. 45th Congressional District. Derek Tran (D).
Other contests of interest
US House of Representatives, State Senate, State House of Representatives, Los Angeles District Attorney, Mayor of San Francisco, Recall of Oakland Mayor.
Results of past presidential races
2020: Biden (D) 63%, Trump (R) 34%. AP Winner Announcement: Tuesday, November 3, 2020, 11 pm ET.
Registered voters and electoral participation
Registered voters: 22,310,352 (as of September 6, 2024). About 46% are Democrats, about 25% are Republicans, about 22% have no party preference.
Voter turnout in November 2020: 78% of registered voters.
Votes cast before Election Day 2020: about 87% of total voters.
Votes cast before Election Day 2022: approximately 88% of total voters.
How long does the vote count take?
First votes reported in November 2020: 11:04 pm ET.
By midnight ET: approximately 54% of the total votes cast had been reported.
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AP writers Hannah Fingerhut and Maya Sweedler contributed to this report.
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This story is part of Explaining Election 2024, an Associated Press series designed to help understand American democracy. The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to improve its coverage of elections and democracy. More on AP’s democracy coverage here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
