California elections in 2026
54 electoral votes · 52 House seats · Pacific · 1 statewide race on the 2026 ballot
The political landscape
California is the largest prize in American politics, anchored by the Bay Area and Los Angeles with a more conservative interior. Housing costs, wildfire, water and the technology economy dominate its statewide debates, and Democrats have held a durable statewide advantage.
Its largest population centers include Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, Sacramento, Fresno. Where a state's people live, and what those places do for a living, is the starting point for how Electorate HQ simulations reason about it.
On the ballot in California
Issues that weigh heavily in California
Based on the state's industry mix, geography and cost of living, these issues tend to carry structural weight in California elections:
Latest California political headlines
Governor Newsom announces new AI cyber defense program to protect California’s critical infrastructureYour guide to the California governor’s race: Xavier Becerra vs. Steve HiltonNewsom makes last-minute push to help California utilities facing wildfire billsBecerra Easily Leading California Governor’s Race Defined by Partisan Split, Poll ShowsCalifornia governor candidate Xavier Becerra proposes free 'power hour' electricity planInside California Politics: Hilton challenges Becerra to debateHighlights From June 2 Primary Election Day in CaliforniaCalifornia’s economy isn’t just bigger than Texas and Florida — it’s growing faster, tooSimulate California
In the Electorate HQ simulator, California is one of 51 delegations that reads current reporting and decides a presidential race issue by issue. Results are AI simulations, clearly labeled, with the reasoning shown for every call. See the methodology for what that does and does not mean.