PALOS VERDES PENINSULA, CA — On June 2, voters in the Palos Verdes Peninsula — encompassing Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills Estates, and Rolling Hills — will take part in California’s statewide primary election, which will shape both state leadership and regional representation.
Although the ballot will be dominated by statewide and federal races, this year’s primary carries some local importance, particularly in Palos Verdes Estates, where voters will decide a key funding measure.
Key Regional Race: State Senate District 24
One of the most consequential contests for Peninsula voters is in State Senate District 24, which includes much of the South Bay, including Rancho Palos Verdes and neighboring cities.
The seat is open due to term limits -- state Sen. Ben Allen can't run again -- creating a competitive field of eight Democrats and two Republican candidates from across Los Angeles County.
Because California advances only the top two vote-getters regardless of party, this primary will effectively determine which candidates move forward to represent the Peninsula in Sacramento.
A Rare Local Measure: Palos Verdes Estates
Most Peninsula cities aren't holding municipal elections on June 2, but Palos Verdes Estates voters will decide on Measure PF, a citizen-initiated proposal focused on funding essential services, including police protection, fire and emergency response, and infrastructure and long-term fiscal stability.
The measure's intended to replace an expiring funding source and ensure continued local control of public safety services.
City officials formally placed the measure on the ballot following procedural requirements under state law.
Why Other Peninsula Cities Have Limited Local Ballots
In contrast, cities such as Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills Estates typically align their municipal elections with November general elections, not primaries.
For example, Rancho Palos Verdes has scheduled its next city council election for November. Rolling Hills Estates similarly consolidates local elections with statewide general elections.
This means Peninsula voters in June will primarily focus on non-local races and measures, with only limited city-specific issues appearing on ballots.
Measure ER Countywide Ballot Measure:
There's also a ballot measure that all Los Angeles County registered voters will have an opportunity to weigh in on: a sales tax increase.
Measure ER: The Essential Services Restoration Act for Los Angeles County General Sales Tax Measure, is focused on funding healthcare and other essential services.
It proposes a temporary 0.5% (half-cent) increase in the county sales tax. The tax would rise from 9.75% to 10.25% for five years if approved.
The measure, if passed, is projected to generate roughly $1 billion per year for the county. The money would be used to fund public hospitals, community clinics and health services.
California's 2026 gubernatorial contest has become one of the most unpredictable races in political history, and with just one month left before the primary election, the slate of leading contenders to succeed outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom continues to evolve.
Swalwell's departure and political collapse had a tremendous impact on the gubernatorial race, according to experts. Before the sexual assault allegations surfaced, Swalwell, who represented the Bay Area, received the support of 17 percent of likely voters, polls showed.
Swalwell's April 11 gubernatorial exit triggered an immediate shift, allowing former state Attorney General Xavier Becerra to advance in a new poll, gaining 10 percent of likely voters, while fellow Democrat and billionaire Tom Steyer was the frontrunner among Democrats with 14 percent of likely voters. Former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton, who received President Donald Trump's endorsement earlier this month, received 17 percent of support and was leading his Republican rival, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who polled at 14 percent.
Former Rep. Katie Porter was in a dead heat with Becerra at 10 percent, while San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan received 5 percent of likely voters' support.
The poll, released on Thursday, was commissioned by the right-leaning Nexstar Media Group and Inside California Politics and conducted by Emerson College from April 14 through April 15.
Last month, California Democratic National Committee Chair Rusty Hicks released an open letter and made an unexpected plea for the Democratic field of contenders to "assess the viability of their candidacy and campaign," but stopped short of calling out any candidates or pressuring anyone to drop their bid.
With the primary election only a few weeks away — and the top Democratic contenders currently splitting the vote — 27 percent of likely voters remain undecided, which could affect the candidates who have moved up in the polls.
"The Emerson poll shows Becerra going from 7th or 8th place to tied for 4th or 5th place right now. Swalwell's exit, at least based on this poll, seems to have benefitted Steyer, Porter, Becerra, and Mahan — all Democrats who have improved over the last Emerson poll," Christian Grose, a political expert and director of the USC Democracy and Fair Elections Lab, told Patch.
"However, I think Steyer or Porter are best poised to benefit from Swalwell's exit as they have consistently polled the best among Democrats over multiple polls. The Emerson poll's results for other candidates will need to be replicated elsewhere before I believe there is movement for Becerra or Mahan. The race is fluid so seeing multiple polls with increases in these candidate numbers could help," Grose added.
A CBS News/YouGov poll released on Tuesday indicates the 2026 California governor's race continues to shift, but no contender — Democrat or Republican — has emerged as the frontrunner since Stalwell's campaign imploded. The poll was conducted between April 23 and April 27 following last week’s contentious gubernatorial debate.
According to the poll, Hilton has the strongest support among voters, with 16 percent. Steyer trailed with 15 percent of support.
Becerra continued to climb, with 13 percent. Bianco was polling at 10 percent, and Porter showed a marginal slip with 9 percent of support. Mahan also slid by about 1 percentage point, tying with former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, with 4 percent. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond received 1 percent of support.
Traditional in-person voting: Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 2. Click here to find your polling location.
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