On the eve of the November 2026 election, California voters have returned 6.4 million early ballots.. Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass campaigned in downtown Los Angeles, while Republican Steve Hilton targeted economic concerns in Compton.
A 17 percent jump in early ballot returns
California's early voting participation has seen a massive surge heading into the general election. According to data released by the California Secretary of State, a total of 6.4 million ballots had been returned as of Monday afternoon, November 2, 2026. This figure represents a 17 percent increase compared to the 5.47 million ballots returned during the same period in the 2022 midterm election.
The current breakdown of these early returns reveals a state still heavily leaning toward the Democratic column. The report indicates that Democrats account for roughly 3 million ballots, or 51 percent of the total. Republicans follow with approximately 1.62 million ballots, representing 28 percent of the total, while the remaining 21 percent comes from voters with no party preference or other affiliations. This high level of engagement suggests a highly motivated electorate across the political spectrum.
The Homegirl Cafe endorsement from Mayor Karen Bass
Democratic frontrunner Xavier Becerra utilized his final campaign hours to connect with community-focused voters in downtown Los Angeles. On Monday, Becerra joined Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass at the Homegirl Cafe, a local establishment known for providing job training to formerly incarcerated individuals and ex-gang members. the appearance served as a high-profile moment to emphasize community support and shared history.
During the event, Mayor Karen Bass officially endorsed Becerra for the governorship. Bass , who previously served alongside Becerra in the House of Representatives, expressed her confidence in his leadership capabilities. As the report says, Bass noted that her prior collaboration with Becerra on Capitol Hill gave her full certainty that he would peefrorm a "wonderful job" leading the state.
Steve Hilton's $3 gas gallon pledge in Compton
Republican candidate Steve Hilton focused his final efforts on the issue of economic affordability, specifically targeting voters in Compton. The former Fox News host used the event to renew a central campaign promise: reducing gas prices to three dollars per gallon. Hilton argued that lowering energy costs would serve as a primary pillar of his administration if he were to win the governorship.
Despite his aggressive focus on energy costs,Hilton faces a difficult path to victory. As reported by the source, Hilton is currently trailing Becerra by double digits in recent polling. To attempt a late-stage momentum shift, Hilton scheduled a final campaign rally for Monday evening at the Pier Plaza and Amphitheater in Huntington Beach to engage with his base before Tuesday's vote.
The 1.25 million voters without party preference
While the partisan split is clear, the ultimate outcome of the race may hinge on the 1.25 million voters who returned ballots with no party preference. This group represents 21 percent of the early voting total, a significant enough bloc to potentially disrupt the current polling margins. It remains unclear how these non-affiliated voters will weigh Becerra's experience against Hilton's economic promises.
Furthermore, the source does not clarify if the competitive reelection bid facing Mayor Karen Bass against challenger Nithya Raman will influence the broader turnout for the gubernatorial race. Whether the high engagement seen in Los Angeles and Compton translates to a decisive victory for the Democratic frontrunner remains the central question of the election.
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