In California, a Democratic stronghold in presidential elections, several competitive races could determine whether Republicans maintain control of the U.S. House. Beyond the presidency, voters will also decide on a U.S. Senate contest, 10 statewide propositions, and the state Legislature. Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, a Californian, will compete against Republican former President Donald Trump for the state’s 54 electoral votes. Despite the state’s heavily Democratic congressional delegation, there are about half a dozen competitive House races this year, with victories in these races potentially impacting the House majority.
Due to the slow vote counting process in California, it may take days or even weeks to determine winners in some districts. Candidates vying for the Senate seat left vacant by the late Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein include Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff and Republican former baseball player Steve Garvey. Voters will also weigh in on a series of propositions, including one related to harsher penalties for repeated drug and theft charges. Additionally, half of the state Senate seats and all 80 state Assembly seats are up for election, with Democrats holding supermajorities in both chambers.
One key race to watch is the battle for the Senate seat, where Schiff and Garvey are competing in separate elections for the full six-year term and the remaining weeks of Feinstein’s unexpired term. Residents of Oakland will also have the opportunity to decide whether to recall Mayor Sheng Thao. The Associated Press will refrain from making projections and will only declare winners when no scenario allows trailing candidates to catch up. The AP will continue covering newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory.
The 2024 election in California will take place on November 5th, with poll closing at 11 p.m. ET. In addition to the presidential race between Harris and Trump, key races and candidates to watch include the 13th, 22nd, 27th, and 45th Congressional District contests. Voter registration stands at 22,310,352 as of September 6, 2024, with roughly 46% Democrats, 25% Republicans, and 22% no party preference. The voter turnout in November 2020 was 78% of registered voters.
As California counts votes both on Election Day and in the days following, the dynamics of the races may shift and winners may take some time to emerge. With significant competitive House races, along with the Senate contest and propositions to consider, Californian voters will play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape in 2024. The outcome of these races could have widespread implications for both the state and the nation as a whole, as Democrats and Republicans vie for control of key positions and legislation.
