Ballots are on their way: Here's what Californians need to know about the June 2 primary

Ballots are officially on their way to mailboxes for the June 2 primary that features the most wide-open governor's race in years and a number of down-ballot races across the state that will set up a consequential 2026 midterm election later this year. But historical low voter turnout in gubernatorial primaries, combined with an electorate that has been largely unenthusiastic about the candidates at the top of the ballot, could drive the outcome of the high-stakes election.

More than half of the statewide offices on the ballot have no incumbent running. Californians this year will elect a new lieutenant governor - the second in command in the state who sits on several key commissions related to higher education, land use and economic development - a new treasurer, and a new state superintendent of public instruction.

The race for insurance commissioner is also wide open and one of the most critical state contests aside from the governor's race. The next insurance commissioner will have to tackle the growing home insurance crisis driven by recent wildfires, which have pushed up prices and led to some policyholders losing coverage altogether.

Term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom has yet to endorse in the governor's race for who he'd like to see as his successor, setting up a crowded field of eight leading candidates who are jockeying for the top two spots. In statewide, legislative and congressional races in California, the top two finishers, regardless of their political affiliation, will move on to the November runoff.

Voter turnout for primary elections in nonpresidential election years is historically low, with only 38% of voters turning out in the June 2018 primary - the last time California had an open governor's race - compared to 47% turnout in the primary for the 2020 presidential election.

Paul Mitchell, a veteran political data expert with Political Data Inc., expects fewer than 40% of registered voters to cast a ballot June 2. He said the turnout will largely be made up of partisan voters and older voters.

The race to succeed Newsom has struggled to gain traction among voters, as polling earlier this year showed that voters felt "disengaged" and "largely unenthusiastic" about the candidates. Mitchell said it's in part because big-name candidates like former Vice President Kamala Harris and Sen. Alex Padilla passed on a bid. But ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell's exit from the race over sexual misconduct allegations, which he has denied, and massive spending by billionaire philanthropist Tom Steyer have created a "much greater awareness of the election," Mitchell said.

"In terms of what's going to motivate people to vote in this election outside of voters who just feel like they have to vote in every election, it's going to be people turning out because it's a way to kind of cathartically push back on the Trump administration, at least on the Democratic side," he said.

The Secretary of State's Office declined to provide any projections for voter turnout, but said in a 60-day pre-election report released April 3 that a record 23,112,854 voters are registered - roughly 84% of all eligible voters. Democrats outnumber Republican voters nearly 2-1.

"We encourage all those eligible to vote to register and cast a ballot," the office said in a statement.

Several key congressional and legislative seats are up for grabs.

Swalwell's congressional district, which he resigned from last month, was already open since he chose to run for governor instead. A special election to fill the seat, which represents parts of Alameda County, for the remaining months of his term will be held June 16, with a runoff Aug. 18 if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco congressional seat is also open as she announced last year that she's retiring after nearly four decades in Congress. Rep. Ro Khanna is also facing his most formidable challenge to date from entrepreneur Ethan Agarwal, who has the backing of some tech leaders who have grown frustrated with Khanna.

The June 2 primary also marks the first time Democrats might start to see their redistricting bet pay off. Last November, California approved Proposition 50, which redrew districts across the state in an effort to flip five seats from red to blue amid a nationwide gerrymandering war that will determine who controls the House of Representatives next year.

"If these districts that are the new Prop. 50 districts have Democratic turnout that's similar to other high Democratic areas, then that could be a sign for November," said Mitchell, who was the architect of the new district maps.

What do I need to know about voting?

Registered voters can return their ballot at a drop-off location or by mail (it must be postmarked by Election Day and be received within seven days). Vote Centers will open for in-person voting on May 23 in Voting Choice Act counties.

If you're not registered to vote, the deadline to do so is May 18, though same-day registration is an option for those who missed that date.

For more information about your voter registration status or to track your ballot, visit voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.

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This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 4:06 AM.