Election Update Shows Increased Turnout Across California
The number of younger voters returning ballots has nearly doubled since the 2022 primary
The latest analysis of ballots returned in the June 2 election shows that the number of ballots submitted by voters ages 18 to 34 increased 96% compared to the June 2022 primary, according to data released Thursday by PDI, a campaign software provider.
Across all age groups, 8,475,572 ballots have been tabulated, compared to 6,832,625 in the June 2022 primary at a similar point in time, according to PDI. The figures are not final and are likely to change as additional ballots are processed. The total number of voters in the June 2022 primary was 7,285,230 according to the Secretary of State.
Registered Democrats made up the largest share of voters in the 2026 primary. The number of registered Democrats receiving ballots increased 5.5% compared to 2022 data, while the number who returned those ballots rose 6%, growing to 4,248,511 voters so far, according to PDI.
The number of registered Republicans receiving ballots increased 13% compared to 2022 data, while the number who returned ballots increased 3%, growing to 2,435,946 voters so far.
Registration and turnout also increased among Latino and Black voters. Voters identifying as Black returned 37% of their ballots so far, matching the overall turnout rate. Voters identifying as Latino returned 26% of their ballots, up from 19% in 2022. While the number of registered voters identifying as Asian increased by 702,072 thousand, the percent of those who returned their ballots dropped to 28%, compared to 30% in 2022.
The AP estimates that 96% of votes have been counted statewide. Fifty-one out of the state’s 58 counties have counted more than 90% of their ballots. Out of the seven slowest counties, Mendocino County ranks last, with just 61 percent of the votes counted. (MendoLocal.News has asked the elections office why the vote count in Mendocino lags its peers, and we will write a second article based on that response.)
According to the latest count released by the Mendocino County Elections Office on Thursday, Supervisor Ted Williams is leading the race for the District 5 Board of Supervisors seat by a wide margin. Williams has received 1,795 votes, or 60% of ballots cast. Kevin Evans, his closest challenger, has received 659 votes, or 22%, while Todd Lyly has received 535 votes, or 18%.
The race for the District 3 Board of Supervisors seat remains closely contested, with Buffy Wright Bourassa holding a 53-vote lead over Eric Hart. So far, Bourassa has received 32% of the vote, Hart 31%, Clay Romero 24%, and Russell Green 13%.
The proposed bond measure for Mendocino-Lake Community College has not reached the 55% approval threshold required for passage. So far, 8,135 voters have supported the measure, while 7,022 have voted against it.
In congressional races, roughly 81% of ballots have been counted. In California’s 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Jared Huffman, a Democrat, is projected to face Republican Robin Littau in November, according to The Associated Press. In the 1st Congressional District, Republican James Gallagher has received 62% of the vote with 93% of ballots counted. Democrat Audrey Denney holds a 2,522-vote lead over Mike McGuire for second place.
In the statewide race for governor, Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are projected to advance to the November general election, according to The Associated Press.
In the race for attorney general, incumbent Rob Bonta, a Democrat, is projected to face Republican Michael Gates in November.
The Mendocino County Elections Office is expected to release its next update by Monday, June 15 at 5 p.m.