Early voting is well underway across Southern California as voters prepare to decide contests for California governor, the Los Angeles mayoral seat, and 14 statewide propositions ahead of Election Day on November 3, 2026.
Los Angeles Mayoral Race Tightens With Incumbent and Challenger Tied
Incumbent Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman are locked in a dead heat in the contest for Los Angeles mayor with less than a week remaining before Election Day. A Berkeley IGS/L.A. Times poll released Wednesday shows both candidates drawing 40% support among likely voters, while 19% of the electorate remains undecided.
The new numbers mark a reversal from September, when Raman held an 11-point lead over Bass. The L.A. Times attributes Bass’s surge to her success in winning over voters who backed Spencer Pratt during the June primary.
Raman, currently serving as a City Councilmember, wants to unseat Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. During a live interview with ABC7 reporter Josh Haskell, Raman criticized City Hall’s handling of homelessness, pushed for housing and utility audits, and detailed her criticisms of the LAPD alongside the changes she wants to implement.
Meanwhile, former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso announced in an ABC7 exclusive interview that he is casting his ballot for Bass, the candidate who defeated him four years ago. Caruso pointed to Bass’s record of supporting the rebuilding of Pacific Palisades, expediting permits, and deploying city resources to help him open his Palisades Village shopping mall in August.
Did You Know? Former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso endorsed his former rival, incumbent Karen Bass, with eight days left to vote, citing her support in expediting permitting and bringing in city resources to help reopen his Palisades Village shopping mall.
California Gubernatorial Contenders Clash on Housing and Homelessness
In the race for California governor, Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra are trading sharp critiques as the campaign enters its final days. Recent polls show Becerra holding a strong lead over Hilton.
During a live interview with ABC7 reporter Josh Haskell, Hilton blasted Becerra’s campaign strategy and outlined his own specific proposals for battling homelessness across the state. Becerra and Hilton remain the central figures in a statewide election cycle that also features 14 distinct propositions on the ballot.
Fourteen Statewide Propositions on the 2026 Ballot
Voters across California are deciding the fate of 14 statewide propositions that carry major implications for state laws and budgets. These measures can create or amend state statutes, alter the California Constitution, or authorize borrowing through bonds.
The measures reach the ballot through two distinct paths: legislative referral or citizen-led signature gathering. The full list of 14 statewide propositions includes:
- Prop 1: Housing Bond
- Prop 2: Rainy Day Fund
- Prop 3: High-Income Tax
- Prop 4: Public Campaign Financing
- Prop 5: Recall Reform
- Prop 37: Homebuyer Loans
- Prop 38: Immunology Research Bond
- Prop 39: Voter ID
- Prop 40: Billionaire Tax
- Prop 41: Tax Audits
- Prop 42: Personal Property Taxes
- Prop 43: Local Tax Threshold
- Prop 44: Clinic Spending
- Prop 45: Environmental Review
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Election Day for the 2026 races?
Election Day is scheduled for November 3, 2026, though early voting is already underway with thousands of ballots having been returned.
Who is running against incumbent Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral race?
Councilmember Nithya Raman is challenging Karen Bass to lead Los Angeles, according to a recent poll. Times poll showing both candidates tied at 40% support.
How many statewide propositions are on the California ballot?
There are 14 statewide propositions on the ballot addressing issues ranging from housing bonds and tax audits to voter ID and recall reform.
How will the 19% of undecided voters in Los Angeles ultimately shape the outcome of the mayoral contest before November 3?