California Governor Primary: Unofficial Results and the Path to November

As of June 9, 2026, California’s gubernatorial primary remains in the canvassing stage, with the California Secretary of State reporting that 19,788 of 19,788 precincts have partially reported their results. While the count is ongoing, unofficial data from the California Secretary of State shows Xavier Becerra leading the Democratic field with 2,177,268 votes, or 27.7% of the total tally, followed by Tom Steyer with 1,759,073 votes, or 22.4%. These results are not yet certified; official certification is scheduled for July 10, 2026.

How the “Top-Two” Primary System Works

California utilizes a “top-two” primary system, meaning all candidates appear on a single ballot regardless of their party affiliation. According to the Secretary of State’s office, the two candidates who receive the highest number of votes in the primary election advance to the general election in November. This process allows for two members of the same party to potentially face off in the final round, provided they secure the top two spots in the primary.

Current Status of the Ballot Count

Election officials are continuing to process and count ballots, including vote-by-mail and provisional ballots. The California Secretary of State emphasizes that results will continue to fluctuate throughout the canvass period as these remaining ballots are tallied. Because state law allows for the processing of these ballots after Election Night, the final percentages for candidates like Katie Porter, who currently holds 4.4% of the vote, or Matt Mahan, with 3.7%, may shift as the count nears completion.

Key Candidates in the 2026 Field

The 2026 primary featured a broad field of candidates following Governor Gavin Newsom’s inability to seek re-election due to term limits. Beyond the leading Democratic candidates, the Republican field saw significant activity, with Chad Bianco recording 806,262 votes, or 10.2% of the total, according to the state’s unofficial results. Other notable candidates included:

• Tony K. Thurmond (DEM): 53,273 votes (0.7%)
• Antonio Villaraigosa (DEM): 94,538 votes (1.2%)
• Betty T. Yee (DEM): 35,325 votes (0.4%)
• Eric Swalwell (DEM): 25,202 votes (0.3%)

What Happens Next

Counties are currently in the process of submitting their final reports. Voters can monitor the progress of their specific county by visiting the County Reporting Status page provided by the California Secretary of State. Once all ballots are verified and counted, the Secretary of State will provide the final certified results on July 10, 2026, officially setting the stage for the general election campaign.

Summary of Election Data

Note: All figures are based on the unofficial June 8, 2026, reporting from the California Secretary of State and are subject to change during the ongoing canvass.