Massive Early Voting Surge Stuns California As Becerra Makes Final Push

California voters have already cast more than 6.4 million ballots before election day. This number beats the count from the same point in the 2022 midterm race. The state is seeing a historic surge in turnout as the final results approach.

Candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton are making their last stops in Los Angeles. They are trying to energize voters just one day before the polls close. The New York Post reported that both men were active in the area on Monday.

Early Numbers Break Records

The California Secretary of State’s latest report shows the 6.4 million figure. This total is up from the roughly 5.47 million ballots cast the day before the 2022 election. That difference means about 934,000 additional ballots have been returned. It marks a 17.1% increase even with the count taken two days before Tuesday.

Pollster Paul Mitchell of Political Data Inc sees even higher numbers. He told The California Post that early voting is running “well over” 2022 levels. Mitchell estimates roughly 1.2 million to 1.3 million extra ballots compared with the last midterm. He noted that his figures use different reporting cutoffs than the state totals.

County processing can lag by about a day. This makes direct comparisons between election cycles tricky. Mitchell stated that even Los Angeles County is surpassing its 2022 pace. The returns there are up roughly 70,000 ballots compared with the same point in 2022.

Bass Praises Becerra at Cafe

Xavier Becerra, the Democratic frontrunner, joined Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Monday. They were at the Homegirl Cafe in Los Angeles. Formerly incarcerated individuals and ex-gang members receive on-the-job training at this location.

On the eve of the election, The California Post asked Becerra about his feelings, and he was upbeat. He said, “Very good. Especially if I get some of those chilaquiles,” referring to a menu item there. Bass, currently battling challenger Nithya Raman for her position, gave him strong support. She called him “the next governor of California” and noted their past work together.

“We were colleagues together, worked together on the Hill, and I know he’s going to do a wonderful job,” Bass said. She highlighted their time working in the House of Representatives.

Hilton Focuses on Costs

Steve Hilton took a different approach at an event in Compton. The Republican former Fox News host hammered on his message about affordability. He reiterated his promise to reduce gas prices to $3 per gallon.