Story perspectives

Harris Edges Newsom in Ranked-Choice Demo; RCV Support Grows

5/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Ranked-choice simulations show former Vice President Kamala Harris narrowly ahead of Governor Gavin Newsom.
Lake Research Partners surveyed 800 Democratic primary voters May 6-11, 2026, finding Harris ahead and placing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fourth with 9 percent support, 16 points behind Harris.
In the final ranked-choice round Harris received 52 percent to Newsom’s 48 percent, within the ±3.5 point error range.
Support for ranked-choice voting rose from 63 percent to 70 percent after respondents completed the ballot exercise.

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Story summary

Ranked-choice simulations show former Vice President Kamala Harris narrowly ahead of Governor Gavin Newsom.
Lake Research Partners surveyed 800 Democratic primary voters May 6-11, 2026, finding Harris ahead and placing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fourth with 9 percent support, 16 points behind Harris.
In the final ranked-choice round Harris received 52 percent to Newsom’s 48 percent, within the ±3.5 point error range.
Support for ranked-choice voting rose from 63 percent to 70 percent after respondents completed the ballot exercise.