Humboldt County Primary Results: 1,439 Ballots Still to Count as Steyer Leads Locally but Misses Statewide Cut

Humboldt County elections officials released the second post-election report Wednesday for the June 2 statewide primary, offering an updated but still unofficial tally of votes cast across the county.

The report reflects all 100 precincts reporting and shows 39,059 ballots counted out of 84,944 registered voters, a turnout rate of roughly 46 percent. Notably, 1,439 ballots remain unprocessed, including 1,118 vote-by-mail ballots, 286 provisional ballots, and 35 ballots from voting locations. Those ballots will be included in future updates and could shift results in closer races.

The results are unofficial. California counties continue processing ballots after election night, including vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by election day and provisional ballots, for up to 30 days following the primary. Additional reports will be released as that count continues, with certified results expected by early July.

Because California uses a nonpartisan blanket primary, the top two vote-getters in each race advance to the November general election regardless of party affiliation.

In the race for governor, Humboldt County voters favored Tom Steyer with nearly 32 percent of the local vote, followed by Steve Hilton at 21 percent and Xavier Becerra at 21 percent. Statewide, however, Becerra and Hilton are advancing to the November general election, meaning Humboldt County’s preference for Steyer diverged from the statewide outcome. Hilton, a Republican running with a Trump endorsement, and Becerra, a Democrat and former Biden cabinet member, will face off in November.

In the Assembly District 2 race, incumbent Chris Rogers leads with 66 percent of the vote to Michael Greer’s 34 percent. In the State Senate District 2 race, Damon Connolly holds 66 percent to Tief Gibbs’ 20 percent and Aaron Smith’s 13 percent. Jared Huffman leads the U.S. House District 2 race with 59 percent.

In county races, Audrey Hanks leads the Assessor’s race with 79 percent over Ben Larson’s 21 percent. Incumbent Supervisor Natalie Arroyo ran unopposed in District 4, while Mary C. Burke leads District 5 with 77 percent over Evan Schwartz’s 23 percent. County Superintendent of Schools Michael Davies-Hughes, Auditor-Controller Mychal Evenson, Clerk-Recorder-Registrar Juan Pablo Cervantes, and Treasurer-Tax Collector Amy Christensen all ran unopposed.

On local measures, Trinidad Unified School District’s bond measure is passing with 66 percent in favor, and Measure A, a resort improvement district parcel tax, is passing with 75 percent in favor.

Results referenced in this report are unofficial and subject to change. Humboldt County has 1,439 ballots yet to be processed.