Story perspectives

California Primary: 6% Youth Vote, GOP Submissions Rise

6/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

California held its top-two primary for governor on June 2 2026, with counting still incomplete.
Only 6 % of registered voters aged 18-34 submitted a ballot, showing extremely low youth turnout.
Democratic submissions fell to 15 % (down from 17 % in 2022) while Republican submissions rose to 19 % (up from 17 %).
Assembly Bill 5 shortens counting to 13 days and excludes late-mail ballots, whose up-to-30-day processing could delay final results.

History

Historical Context

In June 2010 California voters approved Proposition 14, a constitutional amendment authored by State Senator Abel Maldonado and supported by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, with roughly 53 % of the vote, creating the top-two primary used first in the 2012 election. The system, applied to statewide races beginning in 2014, now frames the June 2 2026 gubernatorial primary, where only about 6 % of voters aged 18-34 turned out, prompting calls for electoral reform.

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Story summary

California held its top-two primary for governor on June 2 2026, with counting still incomplete.
Only 6 % of registered voters aged 18-34 submitted a ballot, showing extremely low youth turnout.
Democratic submissions fell to 15 % (down from 17 % in 2022) while Republican submissions rose to 19 % (up from 17 %).
Assembly Bill 5 shortens counting to 13 days and excludes late-mail ballots, whose up-to-30-day processing could delay final results.

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