Election 2026 updates: CA gov race remains close between Hilton, Becerra as count continues

It appears less than a quarter of California voters cast ballots in this primary election. Data from the Secretary of State's website shows just over 23% voter turnout.

It appears less than a quarter of California voters cast ballots in this primary election.

Data from the Secretary of State's website shows just over 23% voter turnout.

Here in the Bay Area, San Francisco and Sonoma counties had the biggest showings. But that's still far from previous elections.

The biggest turnout in California history was 57% for the Presidential primary in February of 2008.

Eight years later, the primary in June of 2016 saw a 47% turnout.

The primary in March of 2020 was close behind, at 46%.

Measure E in Oakland appears to be failing. City leaders hoped the parcel tax would bring in millions annually to help with the budget deficit.

Measure E in Oakland appears to be failing. City leaders hoped the parcel tax would bring in millions annually to help with the budget deficit.

As of Thursday morning, the votes are at 54% No and 46% yes.

"It was a measure that was necessary to save our fire departments," said Saabir Lockett East from the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy. "It was necessary to have resources for homeless services. It's a 9-year parcel tax. and it didn't have any set allocations for specific departments. Just very broad goals.

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee says only a fraction of the ballots have been counted.

Lee and most of the City Council backed Measure E.

It's unclear how a defeat in the measure will impact the budget.

President Donald Trump, without evidence, is accusing Democrats of trying to "steal" the California gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral primaries.

He first called out the use of mail-in ballots in a post on Truth Social. In a follow-up post, he accused Democrats of holding up the vote tallying - claims that are currently without merit. He also claimed that the vote is "under investigation" by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles, another claim that is currently unsubstantiated.

"They are trying to STEAL THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA PRIMARY, AND THE MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES, PRIMARY, AWAY FROM TWO GREAT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES. Here we go with the very late and massive numbers of MAIL IN BALLOTS," Trump wrote in one Truth Social post.

"Votes are all tied up. May not be in for weeks. Under investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles. Why the vote counting DELAY???" the follow-up post said.

Steve Hilton told reporters on Wednesday that he's "very encouraged" by the current vote count in the California gubernatorial race but that "nothing is final yet."

"Obviously, we're very encouraged by these results," Hilton said. "Nothing is final yet, but it does look as if change is coming to California, and that is good news for everyone, every small business, every working family, everyone who wants to see our state set back on track."

As of 1:20 p.m. PT, with 55% of the expected vote, Hilton is at 28%, followed by Xavier Becerra at 25%, and then Tom Steyer at 20%.

Hilton said he is "confident" that he will be in the top two.

Hilton said he hasn't spoken to President Trump yet, but that he "received a message of congratulations."

Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday, "Congratulations to Steve Hilton on coming in first, last night, in the California Vote for Governor. If Californians are smart, which I know they are, they will put Steve into the Governor's Mansion, and watch their State get better at a rate that has probably never been seen before. I know Steve - He is a hard driving WINNER, and he will turn California around, quickly - and the Federal Government will be there, with him, to help! "

ABC News contributed to this report.