CALIFORNIA: Newsom Takes Top Slot In Gubernatorial “Jungle” Primary, Printing Snafu Snarls Voting For Some

The Associated Press reports:

John Cox, a Republican business owner who has tried and failed for nearly two decades to win elected office, snagged a spot in the November runoff for California governor with the help of President Donald Trump, but that support could hurt him in the winner-take-all race with Democrat Gavin Newsom.

Cox got about a quarter of the votes counted so far in Tuesday’s election to easily outdistance former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for second to Newsom, who won by a comfortable margin. Cox had been struggling to break clear of fellow Republican Travis Allen until Trump tweeted his endorsement two weeks ago — 273 characters that rallied the president’s fans but set up a hyper-partisan battle with Newsom.

Because of California’s “jungle primary,” the top two finishers — regardless of party — advance to a runoff in November. Newsom, the state’s lieutenant governor and former mayor of San Francisco, had said during the primary he preferred a Republican opponent in the fall.

ABC News reports:



Thousands of voters in Los Angeles County arrived at their designated polling places Tuesday only to find that their names were not on the list.

According to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s Office, the issue was brought to officials’ attention and poll workers are tracking the occurrences. The error stems from an apparent “random drop off” during the printing of the rosters, according to officials.

Gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa is calling on the Secretary of State to reopen polling centers Thursday through Friday. He’s also calling on Sec. of State Alex Padilla to investigate what the campaign calls an unprecedented number of voters who were omitted and to open voting centers in LA through Friday.