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California Primary Election: Voters Head to the Polls California Primary Election: Voters Head to the Polls
(about 4 hours later)
LOS ANGELES — This is a big Election Day in California, and the country is watching. Democrats are battling to make sure they are not shut out of three Republican-held congressional districts that otherwise seem ripe for Democratic takeovers.LOS ANGELES — This is a big Election Day in California, and the country is watching. Democrats are battling to make sure they are not shut out of three Republican-held congressional districts that otherwise seem ripe for Democratic takeovers.
The state is also taking a big step toward choosing who will succeed Gov. Jerry Brown — and toward sending Senator Dianne Feinstein back to Washington to serve a sixth term.The state is also taking a big step toward choosing who will succeed Gov. Jerry Brown — and toward sending Senator Dianne Feinstein back to Washington to serve a sixth term.
The stakes are high in no small part because of California’s unconventional election system: The top two finishers in today’s nonpartisan, open primary will face each other in November. The stakes are high in no small part because of California’s unconventional election system: The top two finishers in Tuesday’s nonpartisan, open primary will face each other in November.
The problem for Democrats is that they have so many candidates competing for a finite number of voters in three House districts that Republicans might end up capturing both top slots there. Congressional districts that voted for Hillary Clinton over President Trump in 2016 may end up choosing between two Republicans in the general election. The problem for Democrats is that they have so many candidates competing for a finite number of voters in three House districts that Republicans might end up capturing both top slots there. Congressional districts that voted for Hillary Clinton over Donald J. Trump in 2016 may end up choosing between two Republicans in the general election.
The race to succeed Mr. Brown will also be closely watched. Gavin Newsom, the Democratic lieutenant governor, seems well positioned to win one of the top two spots.The race to succeed Mr. Brown will also be closely watched. Gavin Newsom, the Democratic lieutenant governor, seems well positioned to win one of the top two spots.
President Trump has endorsed one of the Republicans, John Cox, which could give Mr. Cox enough votes to win the other slot. Given how overwhelmingly Democratic the state is — and Mr. Cox’s ties to Mr. Trump — that result would no doubt result in many people declaring Mr. Newsom the presumptive next governor.President Trump has endorsed one of the Republicans, John Cox, which could give Mr. Cox enough votes to win the other slot. Given how overwhelmingly Democratic the state is — and Mr. Cox’s ties to Mr. Trump — that result would no doubt result in many people declaring Mr. Newsom the presumptive next governor.
But if Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat and former mayor of Los Angeles, wins that second spot, look out for a competitive, classic North-South battle.But if Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat and former mayor of Los Angeles, wins that second spot, look out for a competitive, classic North-South battle.
Here’s the latest:Here’s the latest:
• Polls close tonight at 8 p.m. California is a notoriously slow state when it comes to counting ballots, but we expect to get a reasonably early projection of the top finishers in the races for governor and Senate. • Polls close Tuesday at 8 p.m. Pacific time. California is a notoriously slow state when it comes to counting ballots, but we expect to get a reasonably early projection of the top finishers in the races for governor and Senate.
• Candidates made a last-minute scramble for votes on Monday. In the governor’s race, Mr. Villaraigosa traveled around Los Angeles, ending up with a late-night stop at Pink’s Hot Dogs. Mr. Newsom greeted voters at a diner in Inglewood before heading to San Diego and San Francisco. Mr. Cox showed up at a candidate telephone bank in Riverside County.• Candidates made a last-minute scramble for votes on Monday. In the governor’s race, Mr. Villaraigosa traveled around Los Angeles, ending up with a late-night stop at Pink’s Hot Dogs. Mr. Newsom greeted voters at a diner in Inglewood before heading to San Diego and San Francisco. Mr. Cox showed up at a candidate telephone bank in Riverside County.
• Check out photographs from campaigns and primaries around the state.• Check out photographs from campaigns and primaries around the state.
• Need a primer to understand the stakes of the races on Tuesday? Start here. And here’s an explanation of how the state’s unusual primary system works.• Need a primer to understand the stakes of the races on Tuesday? Start here. And here’s an explanation of how the state’s unusual primary system works.
• There were seven Republican districts that voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016. Will the Democrats be able to win those congressional seats? Here is a collection of charts that explore the data behind those key districts. • There were seven Republican districts that voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016. Will the Democrats be able to win those congressional seats? Here’s a collection of charts that explore the data behind those key districts.
• How will Latino voting power count in the primary? Here’s what we know. And will younger Asian-Americans help turn Orange County blue? Our reporter went home to find out.• How will Latino voting power count in the primary? Here’s what we know. And will younger Asian-Americans help turn Orange County blue? Our reporter went home to find out.
• We have 30 journalists throughout the state. This week, many of them will be on the ground reporting from the most competitive congressional districts, including races in the Central Valley, Orange County and San Diego. We will bring you live updates throughout the day on Tuesday. Follow them here and on Twitter.• We have 30 journalists throughout the state. This week, many of them will be on the ground reporting from the most competitive congressional districts, including races in the Central Valley, Orange County and San Diego. We will bring you live updates throughout the day on Tuesday. Follow them here and on Twitter.
• Find your polling place through the secretary of state’s website, and check out the primary calendar for the rest of the midterms year.• Find your polling place through the secretary of state’s website, and check out the primary calendar for the rest of the midterms year.
• Get the latest news on the state in your inbox by signing up for California Today here.• Get the latest news on the state in your inbox by signing up for California Today here.
Today is Election Day, which means tomorrow is — depending on the results — Blame Day. The big question: If Democrats get locked out of competitive Republican-held congressional races — a distinct possibility in three districts because of California’s nonpartisan top-two election system — who gets the blame? Tuesday is Election Day, which means Wednesday is — depending on the results — Blame Day. The big question: If Democrats get locked out of competitive Republican-held congressional races — a distinct possibility in three districts because of California’s nonpartisan top-two election system — who gets the blame?
Here are some nominees:Here are some nominees:
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, for lurching from candidate to candidate in some of these districts (until the end), giving voters little help in navigating ballots swimming with the names of mostly unknown Democrats who want to go to Washington.The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, for lurching from candidate to candidate in some of these districts (until the end), giving voters little help in navigating ballots swimming with the names of mostly unknown Democrats who want to go to Washington.
The California Democratic Party, for failing to groom a bench of candidates for this moment — and for its largely unsuccessful efforts to clear the field.The California Democratic Party, for failing to groom a bench of candidates for this moment — and for its largely unsuccessful efforts to clear the field.
California’s nonpartisan top-two election system. This election reform may end up producing the worst-case scenario Democratic and Republican leaders warned about when it was passed by voters in 2010. With so many candidates jumping into the open primary, Democrats are fighting over a set number of voters.California’s nonpartisan top-two election system. This election reform may end up producing the worst-case scenario Democratic and Republican leaders warned about when it was passed by voters in 2010. With so many candidates jumping into the open primary, Democrats are fighting over a set number of voters.
From this point of view, there was little state or national Democrats could do. (And it is not just Democrats. Republicans could get locked out of the November ballot in the governor and Senate race.)From this point of view, there was little state or national Democrats could do. (And it is not just Democrats. Republicans could get locked out of the November ballot in the governor and Senate race.)
Voters, for not figuring out this somewhat overwhelming ballot. (But no. Rule of thumb in politics: Never blame the voters.) — Adam Nagourney Voters, for not figuring out this somewhat overwhelming ballot. (But no. Rule of thumb in politics: Never blame the voters.)
— Adam Nagourney
The quirks that make the California primary risky for Democrats also make it a leading indicator of the general election.The quirks that make the California primary risky for Democrats also make it a leading indicator of the general election.
In California’s nonpartisan top-two system, voters can cast a ballot for any candidate, regardless of party. Historically, that means these top-two primaries look a lot like the general election.In California’s nonpartisan top-two system, voters can cast a ballot for any candidate, regardless of party. Historically, that means these top-two primaries look a lot like the general election.
Since 1990, the major party vote share in top-two congressional primaries in Washington State and California has differed from the general election result by an average of three percentage points, an Upshot analysis shows.Since 1990, the major party vote share in top-two congressional primaries in Washington State and California has differed from the general election result by an average of three percentage points, an Upshot analysis shows.
That mans the California results will be about as good as any data we are going to get before November. The average House poll over the final three weeks of an election is off by an average margin of 6.2 points, according to FiveThirtyEight. The primary results are a bit like getting a free round of 52 final House polls in early June.That mans the California results will be about as good as any data we are going to get before November. The average House poll over the final three weeks of an election is off by an average margin of 6.2 points, according to FiveThirtyEight. The primary results are a bit like getting a free round of 52 final House polls in early June.
The results are good enough that you can put stock in a surprise. In 2016, Darrell Issa’s seat was rated “Safely Republican” by the Cook Political Report heading into the primary. But he ended up claiming just 50.8 percent of the vote, the closest House election of the cycle.The results are good enough that you can put stock in a surprise. In 2016, Darrell Issa’s seat was rated “Safely Republican” by the Cook Political Report heading into the primary. But he ended up claiming just 50.8 percent of the vote, the closest House election of the cycle.
If this is a wave environment like in 2006 or 2010, which would probably make the Democrats slight to modest favorites to retake the House, it should not be too hard to tell. (Full article is here.) — Nate Cohn If this is a wave environment like in 2006 or 2010, which would probably make the Democrats slight to modest favorites to retake the House, it should not be too hard to tell. (Read more here.)
— Nate Cohn
Democrats think they have the best chance to flip these districts, which Mrs. Clinton won in 2016. But it is an open question what the presidential result may mean for Democrats in the midterms. Check out more about these districts here.
That even families with different political views can agree is part of why Democrats hope they can turn this district from red to blue in November.That even families with different political views can agree is part of why Democrats hope they can turn this district from red to blue in November.
On Monday afternoon, T.J. Cox, a Democratic candidate, visited with David and Dorothy Boldt, of D.E. Boldt Farms, at their ranch in the near-100-degree heat. Dorothy, a registered Republican, voted for Bernie Sanders for president in 2016, while her husband, David, a Democrat, said he held his nose and voted for Hillary Clinton. Both support Mr. Cox’s campaign.On Monday afternoon, T.J. Cox, a Democratic candidate, visited with David and Dorothy Boldt, of D.E. Boldt Farms, at their ranch in the near-100-degree heat. Dorothy, a registered Republican, voted for Bernie Sanders for president in 2016, while her husband, David, a Democrat, said he held his nose and voted for Hillary Clinton. Both support Mr. Cox’s campaign.
“I care about the whole laundry list of progressive issues, from climate change to a more friendly and open attitude to immigration,” Mr. Boldt said.“I care about the whole laundry list of progressive issues, from climate change to a more friendly and open attitude to immigration,” Mr. Boldt said.
Their son, Peter Boldt, 23, a registered Republican who also supports Mr. Cox, displayed an album of photos from their family’s farm, dating back five generations. As Mr. Cox sampled their plums, nectarines and peaches, David talked about how gentleness with the fruit is their specialty. Some of their produce is on shelves in Whole Foods; little stickers on the fruit have the farm’s name on them. “I get emails from Wall Street brokers saying ‘I bit into one of your plums!’” David said.Their son, Peter Boldt, 23, a registered Republican who also supports Mr. Cox, displayed an album of photos from their family’s farm, dating back five generations. As Mr. Cox sampled their plums, nectarines and peaches, David talked about how gentleness with the fruit is their specialty. Some of their produce is on shelves in Whole Foods; little stickers on the fruit have the farm’s name on them. “I get emails from Wall Street brokers saying ‘I bit into one of your plums!’” David said.
Mr. Cox peeled off a sticker and stuck it on his shirt like a campaign button.Mr. Cox peeled off a sticker and stuck it on his shirt like a campaign button.