What Happened in California’s 2018 General Election
On November 6, 2018, California held a statewide general election that determined every U.S. House seat from California, all four constitutional officer positions up for election, key state legislative contests, and a suite of ballot measures. This explainer summarizes verified outcomes for top offices and highlights where to find official results and historical context for long-term reference.
Official Result Sources and Verification
California elections are administered by county elections officials under uniform state law. The Secretary of State maintains the statewide canvass and certification process. For durable reference, these official sources provide authoritative results and documentation:
- California Secretary of State 2018 General Election Results webpage
- Federal Election Commission candidate and committee data linked to California filings
- County-level canvass PDFs retained by each county elections office
Because final certification can occur weeks after Election Day, initial vote totals may change during the official canvass and recount processes where thresholds are met.
Statewide Constitutional Offices (2018)
| Office | Top Candidate (Party) | Verified Outcome | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | Gavin Newsom (D) | Elected | Statewide canvass |
| Lieutenant Governor | Gavin Newsom (D) | Elected | Statewide canvass |
| Secretary of State | Alex Padilla (D) | Elected | Statewide canvass |
| Attorney General | Xavier Becerra (D) | Elected | Statewide canvass |
| Controller | Malia Cohen (D) | Elected (post-election appointment) | State legislative action |
| Insurance Commissioner | Ricardo Lara (D) | Elected | Statewide canvass |
| Superintendent of Public Instruction | Tony Thurmond (D) | Elected | Statewide canvass |
| Member, Board of Equalization (Districts 1, 2, 3, 4) | Incumbents re-elected or seats held by D/ R mix by district | District-level outcomes varied; full board remained split by party | County and statewide canvass |
U.S. House of Representatives Results
All 53 California U.S. House districts held elections in 2018. Primary elections were held in June, and general election contests concluded in November. Most incumbents retained their seats, though a handful of open seats changed party control, contributing to a modest net shift in the state’s delegation. Final district-by-distrace results are available in the Secretary of State’s canvass and linked FEC reports.
Key Ballot Measures and Outcomes
California voters considered multiple ballot measures in 2018. Measures that met filing deadlines and survived pre-election legal challenges appeared on the statewide ballot; others remained county-level or were postponed. Outcomes below reflect the certified general election results:
- Proposition 1: Veterans Housing Bond — Approved
- Proposition 2: Mental Health Treatment Bond — Approved
- Proposition 4: Bonds for Children’s Hospital Construction — Approved
- Proposition 5: Property Tax Transferability Amendment — Not approved
- Proposition 6: Repeal of Road Repair and Transportation Funding — Not approved
- Proposition 10: Local Government Authority to Enact Rent Control — Not approved
- Proposition 11: Emergency Services and Disaster Recovery Fund — Approved
- Proposition 12: Standards for Confinement of Farm Animals — Approved
Voter Participation and Administration Notes
California employs vote-by-mail as the default delivery method for most registered voters, with in-person options at polling places and vote centers. Turnout in 2018 reflected sustained high engagement typical in midterm elections with statewide contests. Counties manage ballot reconciliation, signature verification, and provisional ballot curing under state timelines; curing allows voters to resolve issues post-Election Day when permitted.
Post-Election Processes and Reference Timeline
After Election Day, California follows a structured canvass and certification timeline. Key milestones include provisional ballot resolution, county-level reconciliation, and the Secretary of State’s certification. For long-term reference, the official canvass documents and related metadata (county notes, measure texts, and final vote tallies) remain accessible through state and county offices.
Additional District and Local Races
Beyond top-line statewide contests, 2018 included competitive state legislative primaries and general elections across California’s Senate and Assembly districts. Incumbency advantages, district partisanship, and differences in ballot access shaped individual outcomes. For specific races of interest, consult the county canvass for precinct- and district-level results.
Useful Comparison: 2018 California Top Offices at a Glance
| Office | 2018 Winner | Party | Status After 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | Gavin Newsom | Democratic | Elected; later served as governor |
| U.S. Senate (Class 1) | Dianne Feinstein | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected; seat next contested 2024 |
| Secretary of State | Alex Padilla | Democratic | Elected; served until 2021 appointment to U.S. Senate |
| Attorney General | Xavier Becerra | Democratic | Elected; served until 2021 HHS appointment |
| Controller | Malia Cohen | Democratic | Elected by legislature; full term followed |
| Insurance Commissioner | Ricardo Lara | Democratic | Elected; served through 2022 |
| Superintendent of Public Instruction | Tony Thurmond | Democratic | Elected; served beyond 2018 |
Where to Find Canvass and Verification Records
To review raw vote totals, county-by-county breakdowns, and certified outcomes, consult the Secretary of State’s 2018 General Election archive. Each county elections office retains scanned ballots, tally sheets, and memos that together form the official public record. Federal races also appear in FEC candidate reports linked to California committees and donors where applicable.
Key Takeaways for Long-Term Reference
- The 2018 general election produced Democratic gains in statewide constitutional offices and maintained Democratic control of California’s U.S. House delegation overall.
- Ballot measures in 2018 spanned housing, health care, transportation funding, animal welfare, and local governance; outcomes are stable references for policy context.
- California’s vote-by-mail framework and post-Election curing process mean final numbers can differ slightly from election-night results; always check the official canvass for authoritative data.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When were the 2018 results certified in California? — Certification occurred in December 2018 following the statutory canvass period; exact dates vary by county but results are finalized well before the January 2019 congressional term began.
- Can I vote by mail in California generally? — Yes. California uses a permanent vote-by-mail system for most active registered voters, with in-person options available.
- Were any 2018 races decided by recounts? — Yes, close statewide measures and some local races underwent recounts and procedural cures within the allowed window.
- Where can I see district-level 2018 results? — County elections websites and the Secretary of State’s canvass include district and precinct data for races and ballot questions.
- Do primary results affect the general election outcome? — Primaries determine which candidates appear on the general ballot; in many districts the primary winner goes on to win in November, but this varies by district competitiveness.
References and Further Reading
Use these sources for verification and deeper research. These are reliable, non-proprietary references suitable for citation over time.
- California Secretary of State 2018 General Election Results and canvass PDFs
- Federal Election Commission (FEC) candidate and committee data
- National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) summaries on California election administration
- California State Senate and Assembly district maps and election archives
Terms and processes referenced here, such as canvass, vote-by-mail, curing, and ballot measures, are durable components of California’s election system and useful for long-term civic and research reference.