SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — This year’s California primary election includes some high-profile races for the Bay Area, as well as the presidential primary and other statewide races.
ABC7 News will have live Election Night coverage as results come in, starting at 9 p.m. You can watch on the ABC7 News app, or by downloading the ABC7 Bay Area App to watch on Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple and Google TV.
There are primaries scheduled in 15 states including in California on Super Tuesday.
Polling places will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You can take your mail-in ballot to the polling place, a drop box or a county election office. As long as it’s delivered by 8 p.m.
If you prefer to mail it, your ballot must be postmarked no later than Tuesday.
You will still be able to register to vote on Tuesday as California allows people to do same-day voter registration.
Here are some key local and statewide races to keep an eye on March 5
California Presidential Primary
Donald Trump is strongly favored by Republicans in California. It’s possible he could sweep the state’s trove of 169 delegates, the biggest prize in the nominating contest. Heavily Democratic California probably will be an afterthought in November 2024 – the state’s lopsided electorate makes it a virtual lock for Democrats on Election Day. The last Republican presidential nominee to carry the state was George H.W. Bush in 1988.
Senate
California’s Senate race was expected to be a three-way Democratic prizefight, but the possibility of a record-low turnout is elevating the chances of Republican Steve Garvey, a former baseball star, and could derail the congressional careers of two prominent progressives. For months, Rep. Adam Schiff has had the fundraising and polling edge in a crowded Democratic field. Garvey’s ascent has imperiled the political prospects of Reps. Barbara Lee and Katie Porter. The top two finishers in the March 5 contest, regardless of party, advance to the general election in November in the liberal-leaning state.
Proposition 1: Gavin Newsom’s Mental Health Plan
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging voters to approve a ballot initiative that he says is needed to tackle the state’s homelessness crisis, a change social providers say would threaten programs that keep people from becoming homeless in the first place. In 2004, voters approved legislation that imposed a tax on millionaires to finance mental health services, generating $2 billion to $3 billion in revenue each year that has mostly gone to counties to fund mental health programs as they see fit under broad guidelines. Newsom wants to give the state more control over how that money is spent. Proposition 1 would require counties to spend 60% of those funds on housing and programs for homeless people with serious mental illnesses or substance abuse problems.
Congress – House of Representatives Races
District 12
The District 12 seat has been held by Rep. Barbara Lee for more than two decades and is now up for grabs as Lee eyes the Senate.
Those running for the seat include Lateefah Simon who’s currently a BART board director. According to CalMatters, she is also the youngest-ever MacArthur genius grant recipient and she is endorsed by Lee herself along with Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Some other candidates in the race include Jennifer Tran, a Cal State East Bay professor; Tony Daysog, vice mayor of Alameda and Denard Ingram, who serves on Oakland’s rent board.
District 16
In November, Rep. Anna Eshoo announced she would retiring in 2024 after three decades in Congress. With her seat up for grabs, several notable public figures joined the race including tech executive Rishi Kumar and former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo.
CalMatters predicts that with no prominent Republican candidates, there is a strong likelihood that two Democrats will emerge from the March primary to face off in the November election.
Other candidates vying for the seat include State Assembly member Evan Low, Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, Palo Alto City Councilmember Julie Lythcott-Haims, the only woman in the field, and Peter Dixon a former Marine who co-founded a cybersecurity company.
Incumbents Challenged
Other representatives who are having their seats challenged this primary election are Jared Huffman (D – District 2), Mike Thompson (D – District 4), Mark Desaulnier (D – District 10), Nancy Pelosi (D – District 11), Eric Swalwell (D – District 14), Ro Khanna (D – District 17), Zoe Lofgren (D – District 18), and Jimmy Panetta (D – District 19)
Alameda County Ballot Initiatives
Measure B
This measure will align Alameda County recall guidelines with the California state law on recalling officials. This is notable because of ongoing recall efforts against Alameda County DA Pamela Price and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.
San Francisco Ballot Initiatives
Proposition B: Police Officer Staffing Conditioned on Future Funding
Prop B would fund full police staffing and recruitment for 5 to 10 years, set a minimum officer staffing level and allow SFPD to request its own budget changes. The bill is backed by a coalition of city and community leaders who say it could improve public safety and financial transparency.
Proposition E: Police Department Policies and Procedures
Mayor London Breed supports this ballot measure that would grant police more crime-fighting powers, such as the use of drones and surveillance cameras. Proposition E would also reduce paperwork so police have more time to patrol. It would also allow police to pursue more suspects by vehicle, and not just in cases of a violent felony or immediate threat to public safety.
Proposition F: Illegal Substance Dependence Screening and Treatment for Recipients of Public Assistance
Prop F would cut off public assistance to people on welfare who are suspected of using drugs, unless they agree to enter a drug treatment program. Opponents say that’s not only ineffective, but also creates barriers to getting real help for those who need it. Mayor London Breed supports the measure. She proposed it in response to increasing public pressure to curb public drug use and address the city’s opioid epidemic.
Proposition G: Offering Algebra 1 to Eighth Graders
Prop G would make it city policy to encourage SFUSD to offer Algebra 1 to students by their eighth-grade year and to support the school district’s development of its math curriculum for students at all grade levels.
San Mateo County Supervisors Race
District 4 is most competitive, with five candidates vying to replace outgoing supervisor Warren Slocum. However, the biggest candidate name is in the District 1 race. Former Congress member Jackie Speier is running for that seat, but she’s a shoe-in to get to November with only one other candidate running.
Santa Clara County Supervisors
The Bay Area’s largest county will have two new supervisors after long-time leaders are moving on. District 2 will have a new supervisor after Cindy Chavez termed out while District 5 Supervisor Joe Simitian is moving on as he tries to win Anna Eshoo’s vacated seat in Congress.
Voter Information by County
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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