California voters this year are tasked with deciding who will become the state’s next governor.Watch KCRA 3’s election coverage after polls close at 8 p.m. and check below for the latest results.Track full election results for all races here | Leer en españolThe June 2, 2026, primary election will decide which two gubernatorial candidates advance to the November election. The state’s top-two system allows for the two candidates with the most votes in the primary to advance to November, regardless of political affiliation.And political affiliation is crucial this election cycle for the governor’s race. This is the first time in years that there are no clear frontrunners, and Democratic leaders are also concerned that both leading Republican candidates might snuff out Democrats in this primary.Gov. Gavin Newsom also cannot run for governor in the state anymore because of a two-term limit. By the end of this year, Californians are likely to find out who their next elected leader will be.| VIDEO BELOW | What is California’s governor responsible for?See California governor primary election results below after polls close at 8 p.m.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel | Make KCRA a preferred news source in Google
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
California voters this year are tasked with deciding who will become the state’s next governor.
The June 2, 2026, primary election will decide which two gubernatorial candidates advance to the November election. The state’s top-two system allows for the two candidates with the most votes in the primary to advance to November, regardless of political affiliation.
And political affiliation is crucial this election cycle for the governor’s race. This is the first time in years that there are no clear frontrunners, and Democratic leaders are also concerned that both leading Republican candidates might snuff out Democrats in this primary.
Gov. Gavin Newsom also cannot run for governor in the state anymore because of a two-term limit. By the end of this year, Californians are likely to find out who their next elected leader will be.
| VIDEO BELOW | What is California’s governor responsible for?
See California governor primary election results below after polls close at 8 p.m.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel | Make KCRA a preferred news source in Google