See main article: 2024 United States presidential election.
| Election Name: | 2024 United States presidential election in California |
| Country: | California |
| Type: | presidential |
| College Voted: | no |
| Previous Election: | 2020 United States presidential election in California |
| Previous Year: | 2020 |
| Election Date: | November 5, 2024 |
| Next Election: | 2028 United States presidential election in California |
| Next Year: | 2028 |
| Turnout: | 71.4% 9.3 pp |
| President | |
| Before Election: | Joe Biden |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Donald Trump |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Image1: | Kamala Harris Vice Presidential Portrait (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Kamala Harris |
| Home State1: | California |
| Running Mate1: | Tim Walz |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 9,275,803 |
| Percentage1: | 58.48% |
| Electoral Vote1: | 54 |
| Nominee2: | Donald Trump |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Home State2: | Florida |
| Running Mate2: | JD Vance |
| Popular Vote2: | 6,081,424 |
| Percentage2: | 38.34% |
| Electoral Vote2: | 0 |
| Map Size: | 330px |
The 2024 United States presidential election in California was held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, as part of the 2024 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. California voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote. California has 54 electoral votes in the Electoral College, the most in the country.
The most populous state in the union and one of the most Democratic, California is a deeply blue state that voted Democratic in every presidential election starting in 1992. It did so by double digits in each of them excluding 2004, when John Kerry won it by 9.95 points. It was widely expected that California would continue its streak, with Vice President Kamala Harris – a native Californian who served as the state's attorney general from 2011 to 2017 and later represented it in the U.S. Senate from 2017 to 2021 before assuming the vice presidency – being the Democratic nominee for president. Harris was the first Californian to appear on a major party presidential ticket since Ronald Reagan in 1984.
With 98% of the vote in, Harris is winning California by just over 20 points with nearly 9.2 million votes. Despite it being her home state, her performance is noticeably poorer than Joe Biden's 29-point win in 2020, following a trend of blue states such as New York and Illinois shifting red as a result of poor voter turnout for Democrats compared to previous elections.[1] Harris's performance in California was the worst for a Democratic candidate since 2004; she was also the first Democratic candidate since 2004 not to receive at least 60% of the vote.
Trump flipped ten counties that were won by Biden in 2020: Butte, Fresno, Imperial, Inyo, Lake, Merced, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus. Of these ten, all except Butte and Inyo were also won by Hillary Clinton in 2016. Trump’s wins in Fresno, Merced, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus marked the first time they voted for a Republican since George W. Bush in 2004, although all are fairly consistently Republican at the state level. Trump's win in Imperial (which is over 80% Hispanic) marked the first time it voted Republican since George H.W. Bush in 1988. Trump's win in Lake marked the first time it voted Republican since Ronald Reagan in 1984. Trump was also the first Republican since George W. Bush in 2004 to win at least 30% in Los Angeles County.
Despite these results, Harris was able to hold onto historically Republican Orange County by a narrow margin. Harris also won every California county on the West Coast except for Del Norte County. She is also the first Democrat since John Kerry to win California despite carrying a minority of counties, winning 25 out of 58.
Whereas Harris underperformed Biden's 2020 total by nearly 2 million, Trump narrowly surpassed his vote total from 2020, solidifying his base of support in the state at just over 6 million votes; this marked his third-highest vote total from any state in the country in 2024, only behind 6.4 million in Texas and 6.1 million in Florida. Trump’s gains among Hispanics in California helped improve his margins in the state.
See main article: 2024 California Democratic presidential primary. The California Democratic primary was held on Super Tuesday, March 5, 2024. President Biden won all 424 pledged delegates with nearly 90% of the vote, the largest share of delegates awarded by any contest in the 2024 primaries.
The electors of the Democratic Party are chosen by the candidates who received the most votes in the primary election in their respective congressional district.[2]
See main article: 2024 California Republican presidential primary. The California Republican primary was held on Super Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Former president Donald Trump was challenged by Nikki Haley, the only other major candidate remaining in the Republican primaries. Trump won the state in a landslide, defeating Haley by 60 points and earning all 169 delegates.
The state was the site of the second Republican primary debate, held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on September 27, 2023.
The electors of the Republican Party are their nominees for the main offices of the State of California and for Senator at the last two elections, as well as their leaders in the state legislature and party committee.
See main article: 2024 Libertarian Party presidential primaries. Charles Ballay was the only candidate to qualify for the Libertarian Party primary ballot. Chase Oliver later qualified as a write-in candidate.
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Ballay | 21,906 | 98.6% | |
| Chase Oliver (write-in) | 313 | 1.4% | |
| Total: | 22,219 | 100.0% |
See main article: 2024 Green Party presidential primaries. Jill Stein, the Green Party's nominee for president in 2012 and 2016, was the only candidate on the California primary ballot, although she was followed by three write-in candidates. Stein won the primary and earned all 59 of the state's delegates.
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage | Delegates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jill Stein | 15,801 | 99.96% | 59 | |
| Matthew Pruden (write-in) | 3 | 0.02% | ||
| Jorge Zavala (write-in) | 3 | 0.02% | ||
| Davi (write-in) | 1 | 0.00% | ||
| Total: | 15,808 | 100.0% | 59 |
Three candidates successfully achieved ballot access in the Peace and Freedom Party non-binding presidential primary: Claudia de la Cruz, the nominee for the Party for Socialism and Liberation; Cornel West, who is running an independent campaign after withdrawing from the Green nomination; and Jasmine Sherman. The party's presidential nominee will be chosen by the state central committee in August.
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claudia de la Cruz | 6,430 | 47.0% | |
| Cornel West | 5,455 | 39.9% | |
| Jasmine Sherman | 1,795 | 13.1% | |
| Total: | 13,680 | 100.0% |
The sole candidate of the American Independent Party primary was James Bradley, who was simultaneously running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican in the blanket primary held on the same day. Andrew George Rummel also qualified as an official write-in candidate.
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Bradley | 45,565 | 99.96% | |
| Andrew George Rummel (write-in) | 16 | 0.04% | |
| Total: | 45,581 | 100.0% |
See also: Ballot access in the 2024 United States presidential election. In California, six political parties have qualified for ballot access in the 2024 election. On August 29, 2024, California secretary of state Shirley Weber published the certified list of candidates for the general election:
Weber's office published the list of write-in candidates on October 25, in which Peter Sonski was the only certified candidate listed, alongside his running mate Lauren Onak.
| Source | Ranking | As of | |
|---|---|---|---|
| align=left | The Cook Political Report | December 19, 2023 | |
| align=left | Inside Elections | April 26, 2023 | |
| align=left | Sabato's Crystal Ball | June 29, 2023 | |
| align=left | Decision Desk HQ/The Hill | December 14, 2023 | |
| align=left | CNalysis | December 30, 2023 | |
| align=left | CNN | January 14, 2024 | |
| align=left | The Economist | June 12, 2024 | |
| 538 | June 11, 2024 | ||
| NBC News | October 6, 2024 |
Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Kamala Harris | Donald Trump | Other / Undecided | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Co. | data-sort-value="2024-11-03" | November 2–3, 2024 | 450 (LV) | ± 4.6% | 64% | 32% | 4% |
| Competitive Edge Research[3] | data-sort-value="2024-11-03" | October 28–30, 2024 | 517 (RV) | ± 4.3% | 53% | 38% | 8% |
| UC Berkeley IGS | data-sort-value="2024-08-19" | October 22–28, 2024 | 4,341 (LV) | ± 2.0% | 57% | 35% | 8% |
| ActiVote | data-sort-value="2024-08-19" | October 7–27, 2024 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 63% | 37% | – |
| Rose Institute/YouGov | October 7–17, 2024 | 1,139 (RV) | ± 3.4% | 60% | 33% | 7% | |
| 63% | 34% | 3% | |||||
| 1,139 (LV) | 63% | 34% | 3% | ||||
| Emerson College | October 12–14, 2024 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 59% | 35% | 6% | |
| 61% | 37% | 2% | |||||
| ActiVote | data-sort-value="2024-08-19" | September 22 – October 10, 2024 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 63.5% | 36.5% | – |
| ActiVote | data-sort-value="2024-08-19" | August 22 – September 21, 2024 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 64% | 36% | – |
| Emerson College | September 3–5, 2024 | 815 (LV) | ± 3.4% | 60% | 36% | 4% | |
| 61% | 38% | 1% | |||||
| ActiVote | data-sort-value="2024-08-19" | August 2–19, 2024 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 65% | 35% | – |
| UC Berkeley IGS | data-sort-value="2024-08-11" | July 31 – August 11, 2024 | 3,765 (LV) | ± 2.0% | 59% | 34% | 7% |
| Kamala Harris declares her candidacy. | |||||||
| Emerson College/Inside California Elections | November 11–14, 2023 | 1,000 (RV) | ± 3.0% | 47% | 38% | 15% | |
Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump vs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vs. Cornel West vs. Jill Stein vs. Chase Oliver
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Kamala Harris | Donald Trump | Robert F. Kennedy Jr. | Cornel West | Jill Stein | Chase Oliver | Other / Undecided | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cygnal (R) | data-sort-value="2024-10-30" | October 27–30, 2024 | 611 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 55% | 31% | 4% | – | 2% | 1% | 7% | |
| Public Policy Institute of California | data-sort-value="2024-10-15" | October 7–15, 2024 | 1,137 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 59% | 33% | 3% | – | 1% | 0% | 4% | |
| UC Berkeley IGS | data-sort-value="2024-10-01" | September 25 – October 1, 2024 | 3,045 (LV) | ± 2.5% | 57% | 35% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 4% | |
| University of Southern California/CSU Long Beach/Cal Poly Pomona | data-sort-value="2024-09-25" | September 12–25, 2024 | 1,685 (LV) | ± 2.4% | 58% | 36% | 2% | – | 2% | 0% | 2% | |
| Capitol Weekly | data-sort-value="2024-09-16" | September 11–16, 2024 | 1,054 (LV) | – | 59% | 34% | 3% | 0% | 2% | – | 2% | |
| Capitol Weekly | data-sort-value="2024-07-27" | August 23–26, 2024 | 3,154 (LV) | – | 58% | 36% | 4% | 0% | 2% | – | – | |
| Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. suspends his presidential campaign and endorses Donald Trump. | ||||||||||||
| Capitol Weekly | data-sort-value="2024-08-15" | August 13–15, 2024 | 1,738 (LV) | – | 57% | 37% | 5% | 0% | 1% | – | – | |
| Capitol Weekly | data-sort-value="2024-07-27" | July 25–27, 2024 | 1,904 (LV) | – | 59% | 35% | 5% | 0% | 2% | – | – | |
| Kamala Harris declares her candidacy. | ||||||||||||
| Capitol Weekly | data-sort-value="2024-07-22" | July 19–22, 2024 | 2,121 (LV) | – | 54% | 33% | 7% | 0% | 4% | – | 2% | |
| Capitol Weekly | data-sort-value="2024-07-14" | July 12–14, 2024 | 1,044 (LV) | – | 54% | 35% | 7% | 0% | 3% | – | 2% | |
Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Joe Biden | Donald Trump | Other / Undecided | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Biden withdraws from the race. | |||||||
| Public Policy Institute of California | June 24 – July 2, 2024 | 1,261 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 55% | 30% | 15% | |
| Public Policy Institute of California | May 23 – June 2, 2024 | 1,098 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 55% | 31% | 14% | |
| The Bullfinch Group | April 16–23, 2024 | 250 (RV) | ± 6.2% | 59% | 34% | 7% | |
| John Zogby Strategies | data-sort-value="2024-05-01" | April 13–21, 2024 | 740 (LV) | – | 56% | 38% | 6% |
| Public Policy Institute of California | March 19–25, 2024 | 1,089 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 54% | 31% | 14% | |
| Mainstreet Research/Florida Atlantic University | February 29 – March 3, 2024 | 740 (RV) | – | 54% | 36% | 10% | |
| 692 (LV) | 56% | 37% | 7% | ||||
| Emerson College/Inside California Elections | February 24–27, 2024 | 1,000 (RV) | ± 3.0% | 57% | 35% | 8% | |
| UC Berkeley IGS | February 22–26, 2024 | 6,536 (LV) | ± 1.5% | 52% | 34% | 14% | |
| Emerson College/Inside California Elections | February 16–18, 2024 | 1,000 (RV) | ± 3.0% | 55% | 33% | 12% | |
| Public Policy Institute of California | February 6–13, 2024 | 1,075 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 55% | 32% | 13% | |
| Emerson College/Inside California Elections | January 11–14, 2024 | 1,087 (RV) | ± 2.9% | 54% | 34% | 12% | |
| UC Berkeley IGS | January 1–4, 2024 | 4,471 (LV) | ± 2.0% | 56% | 37% | 19% | |
| Emerson College/Inside California Elections | November 11–14, 2023 | 1,000 (RV) | ± 3.0% | 50% | 37% | 13% | |
| Public Policy Institute of California | November 9–16, 2023 | 1,113 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 54% | 30% | 16% | |
| UC Berkeley IGS | October 24–30, 2023 | 4,506 (LV) | ± 2.5% | 46% | 31% | 23% | |
| Public Policy Institute of California | October 3–19, 2023 | 1,377 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 60% | 29% | 12% | |
| Data Viewpoint | October 1, 2023 | 533 (RV) | ± 4.3% | 67% | 33% | – | |
| Public Policy Institute of California | August 25 – September 5, 2023 | 1,146 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 57% | 26% | 17% | |
| UC Berkeley IGS | August 24–29, 2023 | 6,030 (RV) | ± 2.0% | 51% | 31% | 18% | |
| Public Policy Institute of California | June 7–29, 2023 | 1,089 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 57% | 31% | 12% | |
| Emerson College/Inside California Elections | June 4–7, 2023 | 1,056 (RV) | ± 2.9% | 54% | 32% | 14% | |
| Public Policy Institute of California | May 17–24, 2023 | 1,062 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 58% | 25% | 17% | |
| UC Berkeley/Los Angeles Times | February 14–20, 2023 | 7,512 (RV) | ± 2.0% | 57% | 27% | 16% | |
| 5,149 (LV) | 59% | 29% | 12% | ||||
Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump vs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vs. Cornel West vs. Jill Stein
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Joe Biden | Donald Trump | Robert F. Kennedy Jr. | Cornel West | Jill Stein | Other / Undecided | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capitol Weekly | data-sort-value="2024-09-16" | September 11–16, 2024 | 1,054 (LV) | – | 51% | 34% | 4% | 0% | 3% | 8% |
| Capitol Weekly | data-sort-value="2024-07-27" | August 23–26, 2024 | 3,154 (LV) | – | 52% | 35% | 4% | 0% | 3% | 5% |
| Capitol Weekly | data-sort-value="2024-08-15" | August 13–15, 2024 | 1,738 (LV) | – | 51% | 36% | 6% | 2% | 1% | 5% |
| Joe Biden withdraws from the race. | ||||||||||
| Capitol Weekly | data-sort-value="2024-07-22" | July 19–22, 2024 | 2,121 (LV) | – | 52% | 35% | 6% | 0% | 4% | 3% |
| Capitol Weekly | data-sort-value="2024-07-14" | July 12–14, 2024 | 1,044 (LV) | – | 51% | 33% | 6% | 0% | 5% | 5% |
| The Bullfinch Group | April 16–23, 2024 | 250 (RV) | ± 6.2% | 48% | 28% | 12% | 2% | 2% | 8% | |
| Emerson College/Inside California Elections | February 24–27, 2024 | 1,000 (RV) | ± 3.0% | 51% | 32% | 6% | 2% | 1% | 8% | |
| UC Berkeley IGS | February 22–26, 2024 | 6,536 (LV) | ± 1.5% | 40% | 28% | 11% | 3% | 2% | 16% | |
| Emerson College/Inside California Elections | February 16–18, 2024 | 1,000 (RV) | ± 3.0% | 49% | 31% | 8% | 1% | 1% | 10% | |
| USC Dornsife/CSU Long Beach/Cal Poly Pomona | January 21–29, 2024 | 1,416 (LV) | ± 2.6% | 53% | 25% | 7% | 3% | 1% | 9% | |
| Emerson College/Inside California Elections | January 11–14, 2024 | 1,087 (RV) | ± 2.9% | 47% | 32% | 6% | 1% | 1% | 13% | |
| UC Berkeley IGS | January 1–4, 2024 | 4,471 (LV) | ± 2.0% | 47% | 31% | 7% | 2% | 2% | 11% | |
| Emerson College/Inside California Elections | November 11–14, 2023 | 1,000 (RV) | ± 3.0% | 43% | 31% | 8% | 1% | 2% | 15% | |
| UC Berkeley IGS | October 24–30, 2023 | 4,506 (LV) | ± 2.5% | 43% | 29% | 9% | 4% | – | 15% | |
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vs. Donald Trump
Joe Biden vs. Ron DeSantis
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Joe Biden | Ron DeSantis | Other / Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College/Inside California Elections | June 4–7, 2023 | 1,056 (RV) | ± 2.9% | 54% | 28% | 18% |
| UC Berkeley/Los Angeles Times | February 14–20, 2023 | 7,512 (RV) | ± 2.0% | 54% | 31% | 15% |
| 5,149 (LV) | 56% | 34% | 10% |
Joe Biden vs. Nikki Haley
Gavin Newsom vs. Donald Trump
Gavin Newsom vs. Ron DeSantis