Voters Elect More than 40 New Lawmakers and Approve 23 Special District Funding Measures According to Preliminary 2024 General Election Results

By Vanessa Gonzales posted 11-19-2024 10:39 AM

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Unofficial election results show California voters appear to have elected at least 44 brand new lawmakers, including seven to the California Congressional delegation, 13 to the State Senate, and 23 to the State Assembly. Several races that remain too close to call could result in even more fresh faces. Additionally, preliminary results show voters having approved 23 local special district revenue measures appearing on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot along with the statewide Proposition 4 climate bond.

In total, due to term limits and other factors, over 30 percent of the State Legislature and 13 percent of the California Congressional Delegation will turn-over heading into the new session. Nonetheless, voters left the balance of partisan power in California largely unchanged, with Democratic candidates winning or leading in three-fourths of California Congressional and State Legislative seats.

Statewide, voters considered 44 special district local ballot measures on November 5, including 34 parcel taxes and 10 general obligation bonds. Of the 34 parcel taxes, 19 currently have the sufficient two-thirds support needed to pass. Meanwhile, just four of the 10 general obligation bonds have met the two-thirds threshold for passage.

A detailed analysis of these preliminary results of local ballot measures can be found at Michael Coleman’s CaliforniaCityFinance.com website here.

Had statewide voters approved Proposition 5, then an additional five special district general obligation bonds earning more than 55 percent of the vote would be positioned to pass. Unfortunately, Proposition 5 fell just short, garnering 45 percent of the vote as of drafting for this article. Prop. 5, supported by CSDA, would have granted special district, city, and county general obligation bonds the same 55 percent voter approval threshold currently enjoyed by school bonds.

In addition to Prop. 5, CSDA supported Proposition 4 on the statewide ballot. Proposition 4 will pass with about 60 percent of the vote. Officially titled, “Authorizes bonds for safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, and protection communities and natural lands from climate risks,” Prop 4 authorizes $10 billion in state general obligation bonds.

Nationally, Americans elected Donald Trump as the next President of the United States and Republicans will take control of the U.S. Senate while retaining the U.S. House of Representatives.

If results hold in California, Republicans are likely to lose two seats in the state's Congressional delegation while picking up one seat in the State Senate, and two in the State Assembly. While results are too close to call in a handful of races in each house, the most likely "flips" are in the following districts:

CA Congressional District 27 (Santa Clarita) where Democratic aerospace entrepreneur George Whitesides defeated incumbent Republican Representative Mike Garcia by 7,997 votes.
CA Congressional District 45 (Cypress) where Democratic consumer rights attorney Derek Tran leads incumbent Republican Representative Michelle Steel by 36 votes.
Senate District 37 (Irvine) where Republican former Assembly Member Steve Choi leads Democratic State Senator Josh Newman by 7,116 votes. This seat is currently held by Democratic State Senator Dave Min.
Assembly District 36 (Coachella) where Republican small businessman Jeff Gonzalez leads Democratic Coachella Valley Unified School District Board Member Jose Acuna Jr. by 4,387 votes. This seat is currently held by termed-out Democratic Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia.
Assembly District 58 (Corona) where Republican mental health professional Leticia Castillo leads Democratic Riverside City Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes by 476 votes. This seat is currently held by Democratic Assembly Member Sabrina Cervantes, the sister of Clarissa Cervantes. Sabrina Cervantes is leading in a close race for Senate District 31.

Finally, Democratic Representative Adam Schiff far-outpaced Republican former baseball star Steve Garvey to take over as California's junior U.S. Senator from Laphonza Butler, who was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to fill the vacancy left by the passing of Senator Diane Feinstein.

Complete statewide election results are available at Election Night Results | 2024 Presidential General | California Secretary of State

With the 2024 General Election complete, and certified results set for December 13, now is the time for special districts to reach out to congratulate their newly elected or re-elected state and federal legislative delegation. Inquire how you can sign-up for your lawmakers’ eNewsletters and ask when their swearing-in ceremonies may take place so you can attend. It is also common for lawmakers to hold open houses or grand openings of their new district offices. You may also want to consider requesting a meet-and-greet with your new lawmakers or inviting them or their staff to tour your district facilities and learn more about how you provide your mutual constituents with essential services.

For more ideas and suggestions, download CSDA’s guide: Take Action: Engaging with Your Community and Legislators. And, don’t hesitate to reach out to your CSDA Public Affairs Field Coordinator for help: Meet Your Local CSDA Contact - California Special Districts Association.

For those special district officials who have or build relationships with your lawmakers, please share with CSDA so that we can partner on the biggest issues facing special districts.

Please take a brief moment to submit our Grassroots Mobilization Survey.

This survey lets CSDA know who you know, so that we can reach out when a key issue is up for vote before the lawmakers with whom you have a relationship. Completing this survey make all of us Stronger Together.