Voters from across California turned out to their polling places or stopped at their local ballot drop off box Tuesday to cast their vote in the state’s primary election.
Some of California’s biggest races were on the ballot, including statewide races such as governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. But local races, including seats on the Sacramento City Council and the county Board of Supervisors, were also up for election.
As day turned to night, many of the candidates hoping to secure a spot in November’s general election, or an outright win in some cases, gathered for parties to watch the votes come in. Under California’s “jungle” primary system, the top two vote-getters in each statewide, legislative or congressional race — regardless of party — will advance to the general election in November.
While some candidates celebrated early results numbers, many of the races will not be decided until long after the parties ended.
Take a look at photos from different election parties throughout the night.
The governor’s race
California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer speaks during an election night watch party at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on Tuesday. PAUL KITAGAKI JR. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Supporters of California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer look at results during an election night watch party at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on Tuesday. PAUL KITAGAKI JR. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer's supporters look at poll results during a election night watch party at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on Tuesday. PAUL KITAGAKI JR. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer speaks during an election night watch party at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on Tuesday. PAUL KITAGAKI JR. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer’s supporters listen to his speech during an election night watch party on Tuesday at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco. PAUL KITAGAKI JR. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
California Republican Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton displays a California flag jacket while greeting supporters at his primary night event on Tuesday in Huntington Beach. Mario Tama Getty Images
Supporters of California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton cheer at his primary night event on Tuesday in Huntington Beach. MARIO TAMA Getty Images
California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton waves at his campaign watch party in Huntington Beach on Tuesday. MIKE BLAKE Reuters
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra speaks to supporters during his election night gathering at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Justin Sullivan Getty Images
A supporter of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra wears a campaign sticker on her forehead during his election night gathering at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Justin Sullivan Getty Images
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra hugs his wife Carolina Reyes during his election night gathering at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Justin Sullivan Getty Images
Democrat California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra waves to the crowd of supporters after speaking at an election night event in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday. FREDERIC J. BROWN AFP via Getty Images
Congressional races
U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley addresses supporters at Fourscore Coffee in Roseville on election night Tuesday. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Supporters are photographed with U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley at Fourscore Coffee in Roseville on election night Tuesday. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Independent congressional candidate Kevin Kiley addresses supporters at Fourscore Coffee in Roseville on primary election night, Tuesday, June 2, 2026. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley addresses supporters at Fourscore Coffee in Roseville on primary election on Tuesday. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Supporters listen U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley at Fourscore Coffee in Roseville on primary election night on Tuesday. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Former state Sen. Richard Pan, a candidate for the 6th Congressional District, speaks to supporter and Citrus Heights resident Adam Hatefi during his election night party at Frends Brewhouse in South Natomas on Tuesday. HG BIGGS hg.biggs@sacbee.com
Former state Sen. Richard Pan, a candidate for the 6th Congressional District, speaks to former student and supporter Dr. Umer Waris during his election night party at Frends Brewhouse in South Natomas on Tuesday. HG BIGGS hg.biggs@sacbee.com
Former state Sen. Richard Pan, a candidate for the 6th Congressional District, and his supporters appear on an ABC 10 live shot during his election night party at Frends Brewhouse in South Natomas on Tuesday. HG BIGGS hg.biggs@sacbee.com
Belle Pearce, campaign finance director for former state Sen. Richard Pan, hangs up campaign signs ahead of Pan’s election night party at Frends Brewhouse in South Natomas on Tuesday. Pan is a candidate for the 6th Congressional District. HG BIGGS hg.biggs@sacbee.com
Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang, a candidate for the 7th Congressional District, celebrates early returns with former City Councilmember Katie Valenzuela during her election night party at The Lock & Key in midtown Sacramento on Tuesday. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com
Sacramento Supervisor candidate Flojaune Cofer is celebrated by Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang, who is a candidate for the 7th Congressional District, during their election night party at The Lock & Key in midtown Sacramento on Tuesday. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com
Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang, a candidate for the 7th Congressional District, speaks to supporter Sumayya Jawadi during her election night party at the Lock & Key in midtown Sacramento on Tuesday. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com
U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui greets supporters at Sellands on Broadway in Sacramento on primary election night on Tuesday. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com
U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui speaks to her supporters at Sellands on Broadway in Sacramento on primary election night on Tuesday. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com
U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui speaks to her supporters at Sellands on Broadway in Sacramento on primary election night on Tuesday. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com
U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui speaks to her supporters at Sellands on Broadway in Sacramento on primary election night on Tuesday. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com
U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui waves to her supporters as she leaves Sellands on Broadway in Sacramento on primary election night on Tuesday. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com
Local races
Sacramento City Council candidate Jenn Chawla cheers with her supporters during a TV interview at her election night party at Frends Brewhouse in South Natomas on Tuesday. HG BIGGS hg.biggs@sacbee.com
Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty makes an appearance in support of Sacramento City Council candidate Jenn Chawla, who he has endorsed, during her election night party at Frends Brewhouse in South Natomas on Tuesday. HG BIGGS hg.biggs@sacbee.com
Supporters of Jenn Chawla check election results during her election night party at Frends Brewhouse in South Natomas on Tuesday. HG BIGGS hg.biggs@sacbee.com
Sacramento City Councilmember Lisa Kaplan speaks to supporters during her election night party at the Aloft Hotel in Natomas on Tuesday. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com
Sacramento City Councilmember Lisa Kaplan speaks to supporters during her election night party at the Aloft Hotel in Natomas on Tuesday. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com
Sacramento City Councilmember Lisa Kaplan speaks to supporter Reina Lisbet Tarango during her election night party at the Aloft Hotel in Natomas on Tuesda. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com
Sacramento Supervisor candidate Flojaune Cofer looks at early results with Council member Karina Talamantes during her election night party at The Lock & Key in midtown Sacramento on Tuesday. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com
Hannah Ruhoff is the assistant visuals editor at The Sacramento Bee. Previously, she was a visual journalist at another McClatchy property, the Sun Herald in Biloxi, Miss. She is an Ohio University alumna and native of Shaker Heights, Ohio.
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