It’s time to start thinking about the Midterms

The California primary election is coming up in just a few months and, so far, two Republican candidates for governor are high in the polls.

On June 2, California voters will start the process of deciding one of the most influential elections of the year. California has a non-partisan “top two” system, meaning that the top two candidates in each race will move on to the general Midterm election in November.

Californians will be electing candidates for:

• Governor of California;

• Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Controller and Insurance Commissioner;

• All State Assembly seats and even-numbered State Senate seats; and

• All 52 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The new Prop 50 Congressional maps will change many voters’ districts under this race.

The crowded race to become California’s next governor is starting to shape up, with the most recent Emerson College poll showing a Republican candidate in the lead.

Steve Hilton, a British-American political commentator, is leading the pack with 17% of California voters saying they would choose him to lead the state. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-14) and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco both trail behind Hilton at 14%.

Support for Hilton has jumped five points since December. The last time California had a Republican governor was 2003-2011 when Arnold Schwarzenegger held the office. 

It is also worth noting there are currently a handful of viable Democratic candidates still in the race. This weekend, California’s Democratic Congressional delegation will meet in San Francisco to choose who they will endorse in the June primary. It is likely that after this, support for one Democratic candidate will jump.

As 21% of voters remain undecided, the gubernatorial candidates have until June 2 to convince voters to take them to the top two ballot spots.

The 2026 Midterm Election will be the first time the voter-approved Prop 50 maps will be in play. The new Congressional districts will be used until the 2030 election.

Voters can take a look at the previous and updated Congressional map here to learn what district they are now in.

The last day to register to vote for the June 2 election is May 18. County elections offices will begin mailing ballots by May 4, and all registered voters in the state will receive a vote-by-mail ballot.

Voters can learn more about the primary election and check their registration status by visiting the California Secretary of State website.