Overview
- Media decision desks project Democrat Xavier Becerra will advance to the November gubernatorial runoff after late mail ballots shifted returns following the June 2 primary.
- The identity of Becerra’s November opponent is still undecided because Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Tom Steyer remain close as additional ballots are processed.
- The Los Angeles mayoral contest is also unresolved: incumbent Karen Bass is projected to advance while Spencer Pratt’s early lead has narrowed and Nithya Raman has gained late returns.
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles announced multiple investigations and sent a federal prosecutor to observe ballot processing Friday, prompting heightened partisan rhetoric from the president.
- California’s laws let ballots postmarked by Election Day arrive up to seven days later and give counties roughly 30 days to verify signatures and let voters fix problems, which explains routine late shifts and leaves campaigns preparing while final tallies continue.