Riverside Voters Tackle Mail Ballots and Open Governor's Seat on Election Day

Voters across Riverside County will head to polling places or check their mail ballots today to decide who controls the California governor's mansion and the state's congressional delegation. California polls are open from 7 a.m. To 8 p.m. Local time. The state conducts its elections largely by mail, so many residents in Anaheim, Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, and Ontario may already have cast their votes. Those who did not receive a mail ballot can still vote in person. The governor's race is an open seat with no incumbent running, and both Democratic and Republican candidates are on the ballot. Voters are also choosing all U.S. House representatives for the state, along with state and local offices that vary by county.

A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration on Monday from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, a move that risks disenfranchising eligible voters. The judge also ordered the administration to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots cast by people on its lists of suspected noncitizens. This legal development adds a layer of complexity to the administration of the election, particularly in a state like California where mail voting is the primary method. The U.S. Postal Service has added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure that mail ballots are counted on time. Voters should check their state's rules regarding identification before going to the polls, as ID requirements vary by state. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote, a rule that helps manage the lines that often form in urban centers.

The election is widely viewed by the Associated Press as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term. AP-NORC polling indicates that 35% of U.S. Adults approve of his job performance, while only 25% approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in 10 adults say the country is heading in the wrong direction, with most blaming the president for high prices. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. The AP notes that voters are struggling with high prices and are angry over an unpopular war with Iran. The mood in the county reflects this national sentiment, with residents weighing the cost of living against the promise of change.

Republicans are bracing to lose the House while fighting to hold the Senate. One or two seats could tip either chamber. Democrats are described as cautiously optimistic. In the U.S. House, all 435 seats are up for grabs. Republicans currently hold 218 seats, Democrats hold 214, and there is one independent. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to secure a majority, while Republicans can lose no more than two seats. Ballotpedia counts 46 battleground districts, with 25 held by Democrats and 21 by Republicans. This tight race means that every vote in Riverside County's congressional districts is crucial to the national balance of power.

Thirty-five of the 100 U.S. Senate seats are up for election this year. Republicans hold 53 seats, Democrats hold 45, plus two independents who caucus with Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats for a majority, while Republicans can lose only two. Eleven senators are not running again, including four Democrats and seven Republicans. The Associated Press highlights several key matchups, such as in North Carolina where former Governor Roy Cooper faces Michael Whatley, and in Georgia where Senator Jon Ossoff faces Representative Mike Collins. In Ohio, former Senator Sherrod Brown is challenging Senator Jon Husted. These races are closely watched as they could determine the control of the Senate for the next two years.

Thirty-six governorships are on the ballot nationwide. Republicans hold 26 governor's offices and Democrats hold 24. Of the offices on the ballot this year, each party holds 18. Nineteen of the races have no incumbent on the ballot, as many governors are term-limited or chose not to run. Democrats would need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority, a position Republicans have held since 2010. In California, the open governor's seat is a major focus, with the potential to shift the balance of state leadership. The Associated Press notes that Democrats hope to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades if they succeed in these races.

The 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees, helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. An analysis of AdImpact data shows that 88.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This includes more than $850 million in spending in districts where he won by 10 points or more. The financial stakes are high, reflecting the intense competition for control of Congress and state legislatures across the country.

Voters can find their polling place at vote.gov or their state election office. The site provides up-to-date information on poll hours and locations. For those in line, the rule is clear: if you are in line when polls close, you are entitled to vote. This rule is particularly important in California, where lines can form at polling places even with a high mail ballot rate. The Postal Service's efforts to speed up the counting of mail ballots are a critical part of the election administration. Voters are encouraged to check their ID requirements, as some states require specific forms of identification. The goal is to ensure that every eligible voter can participate in the process without unnecessary hurdles.