California Candidates Make Final Pitches as Early Voting Begins

California voters began casting ballots Saturday as the state's political races enter their final stretch, with candidates for governor and Los Angeles mayor making last-minute appeals to constituents.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has focused his campaign on tax cuts and reducing costs for working families. He has proposed making the first $150,000 of income tax-free, cutting electricity bills by half, and lowering gas prices to $3 a gallon. Hilton also vowed to suspend California’s carbon market, which he called “a disaster of a program,” and has outlined a homelessness strategy centered on large recovery centers and clearing encampments.

Incumbent Democratic Governor Xavier Becerra, meanwhile, has emphasized a tougher approach to homelessness, vowing to crack down on nonprofits that receive state funding but do not demonstrate results. An Emerson College Polling survey released Wednesday showed Becerra leading Hilton 60% to 33% among registered voters. Becerra launched a digital and grassroots effort on Saturday to encourage supporters to vote early.

In the race for Los Angeles mayor, incumbent Karen Bass announced an emergency relief plan for residents facing high utility bills. The plan includes pausing residential utility shutoffs through the end of 2026 and allowing financially strained residents to pay what they can afford. Bass also participated in the groundbreaking for a Metro expansion and launched the city’s first Unified Call Center for Unarmed Crisis Response.

Her challenger, Nithya Raman, called for a three-point audit of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, alleging that utility bills have surged 40% under Bass’s tenure. Raman also faced criticism for remarks she made about former LAPD Chief Daryl Gates’ era, which she described as a “gold standard” for non-cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. She has since issued apologies and conducted interviews to address the controversy.

Early voting is now underway in counties participating in the Voter’s Choice Act, allowing voters to cast ballots in person or drop off mail-in ballots at designated vote centers. These centers also provide services for voter registration and updates. Counties participating include Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, and others across the state.