Voters in California and across the United States went to the polls on Tuesday to determine the next president and the balance of power in Congress.
Early Wednesday morning, The Associated Press called the U.S. presidential election for Republican Donald Trump, who won a resounding electoral college victory and will become the second president in U.S. history to win a non-consecutive term.
As expected, Democrat Congressman Adam Schiff easily defeated Republican former Major League Baseball star Steve Garvey in the race for U.S. Senate in California.
Also, California voters overwhelmingly passed a proposition to strengthen criminal penalties for those arrested for certain theft and drug crimes. This was a reaction to a surge in smash-and-grab and flash mob-style robberies in recent years. The passage of Proposition 36 essentially unwinds Prop 47, which passed a decade ago and raised the threshold for a felony theft charge to $950.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon was defeated by challenger Nathan Hochman in a landslide.
In other contests, California voters overwhelmingly defeated a measure to allow local municipalities to enact rent control ordinances, upheld the right of same-sex couples to marry, and a proposition to increase the statewide minimum wage to $18 an hour was trailing as of Wednesday afternoon.
Live Election Results
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As of 2024, California has around 22 million registered voters, which is roughly 82% of its eligible population. The majority of California’s registered voters identify as Democrats, followed by Republicans, and a significant portion choose no party preference.
California has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since Pete Wilson, who served from 1983 until 1991.
LOS ANGELES BALLOT INITIATIVES
A Los Angeles County ballot measure to institute a 0.5% sales tax for homeless and affordable housing services appears headed for passage.
An L.A. County measure to expand the Board of Supervisors from five to nine seats is currently leading.
A Los Angeles city measure to create an independent redistricting commission is likely headed for passage.
Gascón issues statement on L.A. County DA race
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón issued a statement Wednesday after voters came out in strong support of his challenger, Nathan Hochman.
“The rightward shift across America last night is heartbreaking. Democrats have a long road ahead, but the work is more vital than ever and our commitment will not waver. Nevertheless, I have called Mr. Hochman and wish him the best as Los Angeles County’s next District Attorney. I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past four years and grateful to the communities who have been and will always be the heart of criminal justice reform,” Gascón said.
Ysabel Jurado opens lead on Kevin de León for L.A. City Council seat
Challenger Ysabel Jurado has opened up a wide lead on incumbent Kevin de León for the Los Angeles City Council’s 14th District seat.
The race has not officially been called but Jurado held a 55.4% (29,047 votes) to 44.6% (23,375 votes) lead on de León, according to an update from the L.A. County Regstrar-Recorder’s office at 4 a.m.
The City Council seat represents neighborhoods from downtown Los Angeles to Eagle Rock and El Sereno.
Both candidates have been embroiled in controversy over statements that were recorded and leaked online.
Gascón out as L.A. County DA
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón will not receive another term after voters came out in strong support of his challenger, Nathan Hochman.
Gascón survived two recall efforts, but his bid for another term fell short as voters decided not to give his progressive policies a longer runway to see if he could bring about the systemic changes he’d vowed to bring to L.A. County.
Instead, the new D.A. will be Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor who ran on a platform of “restoring safety and justice” to the County.
TRUMP DECLARES VICTORY
Donald Trump declared victory early Wednesday morning as he is projected to win the 2024 election, becoming the second U.S. president to win a non-consecutive 2nd term. Full coverage>>>
TRUMP WAY AHEAD IN POPULAR VOTE
As the final states await to be officially called, which would push Donald Trump above the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency, the former President looks to be ahead by a wide margin in the popular vote.
As of 12:05 a.m. PST, Trump was ahead 68,860,118 votes (51.2%) to 63,768,307 votes (47.4%) over Kamala Harris in the popular vote. If the lead holds, it marks just the second time since 1988 in which the Republican wins the popular vote (George W. Bush in 2004).
TRUMP DECLARES VICTORY
In a speech in Florida in the early morning hours, former President Donald Trump declared victory in the 2024 presidential election.
“Every single day I will be fighting for you and with every breath in my body,” Trump said. “I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve.”
TRUMP CLOSES ON PRESIDENCY WITH PENNSYLVANIA WIN
With a win in Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump is at 267 electoral votes according to the AP. A win in any of the remaining states would send him back to the White House.
TRUMP TO SPEAK
Donald Trump is set to speak to his supporters in West Palm Beach, Florida as he closes in on the presidency. Watch live>>>
PROP. 3 PASSES CONVINCINGLY
Proposition 3, which amends the state’s constitution to recognize the fundamental right to marry, regardless of sex or race, has passed, according to the AP.
As of 10:40 p.m. PST, it passed with 62% of the vote.
HARRIS WATCH PARTY EMPTIES AS RESULTS CONTINUE TO COME IN
Anxious supporters of Kamala Harris left her official watch party at Howard University on Tuesday night as results continued to favor Donald Trump. She won’t speak on Tuesday night.
AWAITING TRUMP REMARKS
Donald Trump is expected to address supporters in Florida within the hour. Watch live coverage on KTLA 5, KTLA+ and KTLA.com. https://digital-release.ktla.com/on-air/live-streaming/
(Getty Images)
GEORGIA CALLED FOR TRUMP
The state of Georgia has been called by the AP for Donald Trump, making his path to victory in the presidential election even more clear. The race was called at 10:03 p.m. He has now carried both of the swing states to be called.
TRUMP LEADS IN GA, PA, MI, WI
As of 9:50 p.m. Pacific Time, Donald Trump leads Kamala Harris by 2.5 percentage points in Georgia, more than 3 points in Pennsylvania, 6 points in Michigan, and more than 4 points in Wisconsin. Track live results>>>
REPUBLICANS TAKE THE SENATE
According to the AP, the Republican party will hold at least 51 seats in the U.S. Senate, taking control of the upper chamber from the Democrats. Seven races have yet to be called as of 9:30 p.m. PST.
SWING STATE UPDATE
With 86% of the votes counted, Donald Trump leads Kamala Harris by nearly 3% in Pennsylvania. Live updates: https://trib.al/Obw4BrP
SCHIFF: ‘THANK YOU CALIFORNIA’
Democrat Adam Schiff thanks Californians after he was elected to take one of the state’s U.S. Senate seats on Tuesday night.
“I will spend every day trying to repay the trust that you have placed in me by serving this Golden State with all of my heart and soul,” Schiff said. “Thank you California.”
PROP. 36 PASSES OVERWHELMINGLY
Proposition 36, which is set to enforce harsher penalties on theft and drug charges, will pass with a remarkable 70.4% of the vote in California, according to the AP. The initiative will allow felony charges for possessing certain drugs and for theft under $950 if the defendant has two prior drug or theft convictions.
HOCHMAN BUILD LEAD FOR L.A. COUNTY DA RACE AFTER EARLY RESULTS
Early results from the heated race to become Los Angeles County district attorney shows Nathan Hochman with a 19-point lead over the incumbent George Gascon with 37% reporting.
INITIAL CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION RESULTS
Early counts for California’s propositions have come in after the polls closed at 8 p.m. PST. At 14% of votes reporting, they include:
- Prop. 32 for Raising State Minimum Wage to $18 — YES: 46.2%, NO: 53.8%
- Prop. 33 for Rent Control Expansion — YES: 35.9% , No: 35.9%
- Prop. 36 for Increased Drug and Theft Crime Penalties — YES: 73.1%, NO: 26.9%
TRUMP WINS NORTH CAROLINA
The Associated Press has called the key swing state of North Carolina, with its 16 electoral votes, for Donald Trump. Track live results>>>
TRUMP MAINTAINS LEAD AS POLLS CLOSE ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Former President Donald Trump maintains a lead as the polls close across the country. As of 8:12 p.m., he is projected at 214 electoral votes to 179 for Kamala Harris. Trump also carries leads in multiple swing states, though those remain too early to call.
ADAM SCHIFF WINS CALIFORNIA U.S. SENATE RACE
California has elected Rep. Adam Schiff (D) to be its next U.S. Senator. Schiff defeated former Los Angeles Dodgers player Steve Garvey (R), according to the Associated Press.
KAMALA HARRIS WINS CALIFORNIA
The Associated Press has called the state of California and its 54 electoral votes for Kamala Harris.
PRESIDENTIAL RACE
7:45 P.M. UPDATE: Donald Trump leads Kamala Harris in Electoral College votes 210-113, with several key swing states not yet decided. Tap for live results.
TRUMP LEADS ARIZONA WITH 50% OF VOTES IN
The initial batch of votes in Arizona has provided Donald Trump with a razor-thin lead over Kamala Harris of just more than 1,000 votes. Just 50% of ballots have been counted as of 7:35 p.m.
TRUMP CARVES OUT EARLY ELECTORAL COLLEGE LEAD
Returns as of 7:20 p.m. PST show Donald Trump with a 198-112 electoral vote lead over Kamala Harris, according to the Associated Press. All seven battleground states remain too early to call.
O.C. REGISTRAR OF VOTERS: WE DIDN’T EXPECT ‘SUCH A LARGE TURNOUT’
The O.C. Registrar of Voters told KTLA’s Jacqueline Sarkissian that it didn’t anticipate the current level of turnout at polling stations. There are lines lasting more than an hour at UC Irvine as of 6 p.m. PST.
TRUMP CROSSES 100 ELECTORAL VOTES
Donald Trump has 101 electoral votes in the early run of states that have been called as of 5:30 p.m. PST, according to the Associated Press. Kamala Harris trails behind with 71. None of the crucial seven swing states have been called yet.