With one week remaining before California’s June 2 primary election, millions of voters are still holding onto their ballots — and many may still be weighing their choices.
Only about 8% of ballots statewide had been returned so far, according to ballot-tracking data, leaving a large share of the electorate to make decisions in the final stretch. For voters in Southern California and the Inland Empire who are still undecided, the governor’s race remains especially crowded and fluid.
A recent Democratic Party poll showed Republican Steve Hilton narrowly ahead at 22%, followed closely by Democrat Xavier Becerra at 21%. Democrat Tom Steyer was in third place with 15%, according to the poll.
California’s primary system can add to the uncertainty for voters who are used to party-based contests. Under the state’s “top two” open primary, all candidates appear on the same ballot, and the two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the November general election, regardless of party affiliation.
That means two Democrats, two Republicans or candidates from any combination of parties could move forward. California adopted the system after voters approved Proposition 14 in 2010, allowing voters to choose any candidate in a primary election, no matter their own party registration.
With a large field of candidates and no clear frontrunner, the possibility of two candidates from the same party advancing is a real one this year.
For those voting by mail, timing is now critical. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by county elections offices within seven days. Election officials recommend mailing ballots at least five days before June 2 to reduce the risk of delays.
Voters who prefer not to mail their ballots can return them at an official drop box or vote in person. Polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can find polling places and ballot drop-off locations through the California Secretary of State’s election websites.
The campaign has already made stops in Southern California, including an April gubernatorial debate at Bridges Auditorium on the Pomona College campus in Claremont, where candidates appeared before voters and media less than six weeks before Election Day.
Voters looking for additional information can review nonpartisan voter guides that include details on statewide offices, legislative and congressional races, and candidate responses in the governor’s race. CalMatters is also holding voter information events this month in partnership with local news organizations, colleges and nonprofits, with upcoming events scheduled in Merced, Fresno and Modesto.
Original source: CalMatters
