Elections

Two candidates seeking to become state senator for a new Inland Empire district say they’re avoiding culture war clashes to focus on bread-and-butter issues.

Because two candidates finished in an exact tie for second place, three Democrats will advance to the November election in the 16th Congressional District. It’s the first competitive three-way runoff since California adopted the top two system in 2012.

Reporters and the public rely on Cal-Access to track campaign fundraising, as well as how much is being spent by lobbyists. But the antiquated web portal probably won’t be replaced until at least after the 2026 statewide election.

Gov. Gavin Newsom made mental health a priority since he took office five years ago. The ballot initiative voters approved this week will provide billions of dollars to fund housing and treatment facilities for mentally ill Californians.

Fifteen days after the California primary, only 16 of 58 counties have finished counting votes. While election officials say they need time to verify ballots, two new laws could help speed up the count.

Opponents of Proposition 1 withdraw their concession as Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mental health ballot measure barely leads. The foes are launching a campaign, similar to one by Newsom's political action committee, to find and fix rejected ballots.

In other states, pro-ceasefire Democrats voted “uncommitted” in their presidential primary. That wasn’t possible in California, but protest votes showed up in a few pockets, including Los Angeles.

Early primary results point to a record-breaking number of women serving in the California Legislature after the November election.

Progressive Democratic groups that backed Katie Porter or Barbara Lee are blasting Rep. Schiff’s “selfish” tactics in boosting Republican Steve Garvey into the November election. Some also want Schiff to take a stronger stand for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Voters in Huntington Beach are passing measures for voter IDs and against gay pride flags to make the city a conservative bastion. But the state could take the city to court.