Of 2,789 regular elections in California—908 (33%) are uncontested. An uncontested election is one where the number of candidates on the ballot is less than or equal to the number of seats up for election. 

Of the 24 states where Ballotpedia is covering every election on Nov. 5, California has the 22nd highest rate of uncontested elections. 

There are at least 17 office types up for election in California this year. 

Auditor and attorney have the highest rate of uncontested elections at 100%. Elections for the office of local judge have the next highest uncontested rate at 98%, followed by clerk at 74%.

State and U.S. senator, district attorney, and sheriff have the highest rate of contested elections at 100%. The next highest contested office types in California are U.S. and state representative and local councilmember at 99% each, followed by board of education at 89%.

California has a Democratic trifecta, meaning Democrats control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature. Among states with Democratic trifectas, 55% of elections are uncontested and 45% are contested. Those rates for Republican trifectas are 66% and 34%, respectively. In states with a divided government, 56% of elections are uncontested and 44% are contested. 

Through October 2024, Ballotpedia has covered 36,068 elections in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories in 2024 alone. Of that total, 27,164 (75%) were uncontested and 8,904 (25%) were contested. To learn more about this analysis, click here!