CA’s Most Anticipated Election Results: Props, Senate, Congress & More

CALIFORNIA — Californians entered the polls as early as 7 a.m. on Tuesday to cast their votes in what has been one of the most divisive, neck-and-neck presidential elections in recent memory.

While 8 million Golden State voters had already cast ballots a day before the election, droves more headed to the polls today to decide on 10 different propositions, 52 U.S. House district seats and one U.S. senate post.

• Election officials have begun tallying votes — scroll down for real-time results.
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The Associated Press called the race for Kamala Harris in California at 8 p.m., giving her the largest prize in the presidential election — 54 electoral votes. The outcome in the heavily Democratic state where Harris previously served as a U.S. senator and attorney general was expected.

As midnight approached on the East Coast, the Harris campaign turned off its projected broadcasts of CNN at its election night watch party at Howard University. Just before 1 a.m., her campaign announced that she would not be speaking tonight but to expect an appearance from her tomorrow.

Cheers from the crowd at her campaign party faded as results trickled in showing a tight race or victories for Trump, the AP reported. Meanwhile, fans of Trump at his own election night watch party in West Palm Beach were eagerly awaiting an apperance from the candidate as he was expected to speak.

“Every single day,” Trump said in his election night speech. “I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body.”

Early on, the AP also called the race for Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff at 8:05 p.m. Early returns showed Schiff receiving 2,033,899 votes, 57.6% as of 8:57 p.m.

The congressman won the California U.S. Senate seat that was long held by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Tuesday, beating out Republican former baseball star Steve Garvey.

"Thank you, California!" Schiff tweeted moments after the race was called.

The GOP hasn't won a Senate race in more than three decades in blue California.

Schiff was first elected to a U.S. House seat in 2000 in Los Angeles, but he's best known for his prominence during then-President Trump's first impeachment trial.

Just after 9 p.m., the AP also called the race for Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who won reelection to a U.S. House seat to represent a district that stretches across most of San Francisco. Pelosi was the first woman to be elected as U.S. House Speaker in 1987.

Of the state's 10 propositions, Prop. 36, passed in California, according to the Associated Press at 9 p.m. It was the state's most contentious measure as it called for tougher penalties for drug and theft crimes.

"Anger over retail theft drives California voters to make certain shoplifting crimes felonies again," the Associated Press reported Tuesday night.

Just before 11 p.m., the AP had not called any additional proposition races, but ABC News and CalMatters projected that Californians had passed Prop. 3, which amends the state constitution to enshrine the right for same-sex couples to marry.

CalMatters also projected a win for Prop. 35, which would make a tax on certain health care plans permanent and require that that money go toward Medi-Cal. The AP estimated that 44% of the votes had been counted.

READ MORE:

• Kamala Harris Wins In California
• Democrat Adam Schiff Wins U.S. Senate Seat Long Held By Feinstein
• CA's 10 Propositions: Real-Time Results for 2024
• Real-Time Results: California House Races 2024

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The nation's polls still place the presidential contest on a knife's edge with Harris and former president Donald Trump battling to the wire in swing states. The New York Times reported that it was one of the closest presidential elections in the history of American politics.

It's hard to say just when the race for the White House could be called as tight races in many states often mean the results will take longer. Slowing things down even more is the possibility of recounts in key swing states.

Legal challenges may also come into play. In the battleground state of Pennsylvania, this already happened when the high court ruled that voters should be allowed to cast provisional ballots in person at their polling place if their mail ballots are rejected due to defects. According to the BBC, more than 100 lawsuits were filed leading up to the election with Republicans challenging everything from voter eligibility to voter roll management.

And of course, there are concerns surrounding election deniers, who pushed debunked claims of widespread voter fraud in 2020. Observers fear that a repeat of Jan. 6 in some form could occur if the results are widely contested again.

In California, more than half of likely voters reported that they had a lot of confidence in the state's voting system, according to a poll released by the Public Policy Institute of California the day before the election. However, differences were observed across party lines.

Nearly 80% of Democrats expressed confidence in California elections. Meanwhile, about 4 in 10 Republicans said they had very little confidence about how votes are cast and counted in the state, according to PPIC.

Some Republicans say they are gearing up for a fight if Harris is declared the winner.

“Election integrity is a top-of-mind issue for Republicans after the 2020 election and that is even more so going into 2024, because they’ve seen this before and they want to make sure we have a free and fair election,” John Ullyot, a Republican strategist and former Senate aide and Trump administration official told The Hill.

Experts say that election fraud is still top of mind in 2024 for GOP members and Trump's billionaire ally Elon Musk has played a huge role in underscoring these fears.

"If the fraud theme of 2020 was: ‘Covid is allowing ineligible people to vote or ballots to be manipulated,’ the 2024 theme seems to be ‘illegals are voting,’ and that fits in very much with the kind of nativist anti-immigrant language coming from the top of the Republican ticket,” Richard Hasen, an election law expert at the University of California, Los Angeles, told The Guardian in October.

Voter Sentiments In California

Patch visited the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s headquarters in Norwalk on Tuesday morning and spoke with voters as they exited the polls. Here’s what they had to say:

Patricia Ramirez, a Los Angeles County resident, arrived at the polls with a younger family member who voted for his very first time on Tuesday.

The pair voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, but the decision didn’t come without some unease, Ramirez told Patch.
“Personally, I feel like both [candidates] are kind of a joke,” she said. “But if I did have to lean toward one, it’s Kamala.”

Ramirez shared that this election cycle has stirred up some anxiety for her.
“I feel like ever since Trump has been running, there’s been a lot more racism. It’s always been around, but now it’s more public. Let’s say I’m walking somewhere, and I see a Trump hat — I’m like, ‘okay, let me keep away.’”

For Gary Boone, he said he’s “not particularly stressed” about this election.
“I just want to see Trump get back in there…and finish what he started,” he said, adding that he didn’t pay attention to any of the propositions. “Usually the Democrats win those in California,” he said with a shrug.

Congressman, Ex-Dodger Vy For Golden State's U.S. Senate Seat

Voters cast their ballot twice in this race for California's U.S. Senate seat and Schiff was declared the winner to finish out Feinstein’s current term and again for the next term, which will begin in 2025.

"We're in the fight of our lives for the future of our country," Schiff said when he launched his campaign. "Our democracy is under assault from MAGA extremists, who care only about gaining power and keeping it. And our economy is simply not working for millions of Americans, who are working harder than ever just to get by."

Republican opponent Garvey — who was once a baseball star for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres — advanced in March to the November ballot as a first-time political candidate. Republicans have failed to advance a candidate in two of the last three U.S. Senate races, making Garvey’s defeat of Democratic Reps. Katie Porter and Barbara Lee a rare feat for the GOP in blue California.

Throughout the campaign, Garvey has leaned into his baseball career.

"I never played for Democrats or Republicans or independents. I played for all of you," Garvey said in a video launching his campaign last year. "It's time to get off the bench. It's time to get back in the game."

Garvey's entrance into the race gave Republicans a name recognized by many Californians.

"Our campaign is focused on quality-of-life issues, public safety and education," Garvey said, adding that solving the homelessness crisis is one of his top priorities.

10 CA Congressional Districts In-Play

As the dust settles and the nation seeks to figure out which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives, one thing is almost certain: It hinges on the outcome of congressional races in the Golden State, which had more competitive races than any other state this year.

There are seven congressional districts considered highly competitive in California, and all together there are 10 considered in play. In the final two weeks of the campaign, several of them tightened to neck and neck. It could be days or weeks before winners are declared in several key California races, leaving control of the House in limbo.

The most closely watched California races include:

• District 13 currently held by John Duarte (R)
• District 22 currently held by David Valadao (R)
• District 27 currently held by Mike Garcia (R)
• District 41 currently held by Ken Calvert (R)
• District 45 currently held by Michelle Steel (R)
• District 47 OPEN (Katie Porter is not running for reelection)
• District 49 currently held by Mike Levin (D)

Considered somewhat less competitive but still in play headed into Election Day were:

• District 09 currently held by Josh Harder (D)
• District 03 currently held by Kevin Kiley (R)
• District 40 currently held by Young Kim (R)

Megadonors and national PACs poured money into California’s congressional races after a solid decade of neglect in favor of swing state campaigning. Two years ago, the state was key in securing the gavel for Republicans.

This year, the National Democratic Party has taken notice.

In addition to sending millions of dollars to Golden State candidates, the party sent heavy hitters to help the campaign, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former President Bill Clinton.

Both parties identified potential pickups in California, however.

Namely, Republicans targeted the coastal Orange County district held by Katie Porter, who did not run for reelection following her failed bid for a Senate seat. Porter had wrestled the seat from the GOP, and they sought to wrestle it back for Republican state legislator Scott Baugh.

Democrats, enticed by five GOP seats considered vulnerable, spent millions on a handful of competitive races and brought in big-name national figures to help campaign for Congressional candidates such as Democratic state legislator Dave Min in his bid to unseat Orange County Rep. Michelle Steel down the stretch. Steel, like Valadao and Garcia and Duarte, is a Repubican holding a seat in a district whose voters chose Joe Biden in 2020. In recent years, their districts have skewed slightly Democratic, but Republican voters in these districts tend to turn out at higher rates.

READ MORE: These 6 CA Races Will Determine Future Of The House

State Propositions To Watch

There are 10 propositions on California's ballot this year, and though this measure cycle wasn't the biggest spender on record, there are some dueling campaigns that spend more than $350 million.

Prop. 36 is the big one on the ballot this year as it would increase criminal penalties for drug and theft crimes by repealing a sentence-softening reform that voters passed 10 years ago.

While this one is sparking the most debate, it's Prop. 33 and Prop. 34 that are prompting campaigns to shell out the most money. More than half of the $350 million that's been spent this year has gone toward these two dueling initiatives. More than $100 million has been invested in this measure, CalMatters reported.

Prop. 33 seeks to give local governments the authority to impose stricter rent control laws. Meanwhile, Prop. 34, backed by realtor and landlord associations, merely targets the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the nonprofit that bankrolled Prop. 33.

There are also two amendments to the state constitution, one which would repeal an unenforceable ban on same-sex marriage that still exists and another that would make it easier for bond measures to pass by lowering the voter threshold from the current supermajority needed to approve bond measures.

Read about all of the measures below.

Proposition 2: Voters are asked to approve a $10 billion bond to repair and renovate K-12 schools and community colleges.

This measure would also shift the cost burden for such projects onto the state and away from local communities. Lawmakers put Proposition 2, on the ballot, saying many California schools are badly in need of repair due to hazardous conditions such as mold and leaks as well as facility updates to best prepare students for the future. Among those in favor are the California Teachers Association and the Community College League of California.

Proposition 3: An unenforceable passage in the state constitution that bans same-sex marriage would be replaced with language emshribing the right to marry for all if this measure passes.

Nothing would change if it passed since the U.S. Supreme Court already ruled that states can't ban same-sex marriage. But the amendment would protect that right if the high court ever overturned its ruling on same-sex marriage.

Proposition 4: Voters are asked to approve another $10 billion bond to address climate change by cleansing polluted water, preventing wildfires and storing water.

A large chunk of this funding will go to water infrastructure, while 40% of the money will go toward funding projects in disadvantaged communities.

The bond measure is one of the most well-liked of the propositions, according to recent polls.

Proposition 5: This measure aims to make it easier for local governments to pass housing and infrastructure bonds.

Prop. 5 would reduce the vote from two-thirds to 55% to pass local bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure.

This proposition could have a major impact on the Golden State. If it passes, Prop. 5 could fundamentally alter how municipalities raise money for subsidized housing, down payment assistance programs and infrastructure projects such as hospitals by reducing the voter approval threshold.

Proponents say this measure would encourage local governments to build more affordable housing. Opponents worry that it could increase property taxes.

Proposition 6: If it passes, Proposition 6 would prohibits prisons from forcing inmates to work as a form of punishment for their crimes.

If passed, state prisons will no longer be allowed to discipline inmates who refuse to work. Proponents of the bill say this measure will end slavery in California by replacing involuntary servitude with voluntary work programs.

Prison labor often pays less than $1 per hour. According to Politico, about 40,000 of the state's prisoners are forced to work jobs fighting fires, making license plates and as janitors.

Proposition 32: Voters are being asked to raise the state minimum wage to $18 an hour, with adjustments for inflation in future years.

If passed, it would give California the highest minimum wage in the nation, immediately boosting wages by $2 an hour for millions of residents.

This ballot measure, backed by anti-poverty advocate Joe Sanberg, follows California’s recent increase of the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20 an hour.

Proposition 33: The measure repeals a law that reststricts rent control in the Golden State .

This measure doesn't technically enact anything. Instead, it would end state limits on rent control, allowing cities to pass new rent control statutes even on newly constructed buildings and single-family homes.

Proponents say that allowing cities to enact stricter rent control laws could save many from losing their housing by increasing affordability. Opponents say it would cause landlords to pull their properties off the market, limiting housing in the process.

This marks the third time that Michael Weinstein, president of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, has sponsored a rent control measure for California's ballot. It failed in both 2018 and 2020.

But this year, it seems to be polling better as California becomes increasingly more unaffordable.

Proposition 34: This measure largely targets a single prominent California nonprofit for its affordable housing activism. It would require certain healthcare providers to spend 98% of revenues from federal discount drug programs on direct patient care.

Here's what its proponents say it will do: "Prop. 34 will close a loophole that allows corporations to spend this money on things like buying stadium naming rights and multi-million dollar CEO salaries."

Opponents of this bill have called Prop. 34 "The Revenge Initiative" since it is supported by the California Apartment Association to target the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the nonprofit that the sponsored rent control measure.

Proposition 35: If it passes, Proposition 35, would make a tax on certain health care plans permanent and require that that money go toward Medi-Cal.

This measure's proponents say it will ensure that Medi-Cal's 15 million patients get higher-quality care.

The measure, which aims to establish a permanent tax on managed care health plans to fund health programs, is the rare proposition that has the support of the California Democratic Party, the Republican Party of California, and all the major state health organizations.

Proposition 36: This is the tough-on-crime measure that increases penalties for drug and theft crimes. According to early returns, it passed in California with yes votes were leading at 70.4 percent.

Prop. 36 will have some of the most severe consequences as it will reverse some of the criminal justice reforms passed a decade ago. The measure will increase prison time for drug and theft offenses previously decreased to misdemeanors.

In California, stealing items worth $950 or less is currently a misdemeanor. This measure upgrades it to a felony if the person has two or more past convictions. Prop. 36 also lengthens some felony sentences.

The measure also imposes a "treatment-mandated felony" on those who possess illegal drugs instead of a misdemeanor in some cases. And the courts will be required to warn people that they could be charged with murder for selling or providing illegal drugs that kill someone.

Overall, this measure is expected to increase prison populations and increase state criminal justice costs.

Vice President Kamala Harris refused to tell reporters on Sunday whether she voted for the controversial measure.

"I don't intend to create an endorsement one way or the other," she told reporters.

Early Voting In California

According to a Monday analysis by NBC News of data from election officials across the country, 49% percent of early votes in California were cast by Democrats, 30% were by Republicans and 21% were by people who haven’t declared a party.

Not all California residents who received an early-vote ballot had returned them by Monday. The returned ballots represent 47% of those sent to Democrats, 25% sent to Republicans and 28% sent to no-party voters.

Learn how to track your ballot.