Topline:
From the presidential race and possibility of the first U.S. woman president, to more down ballot issues and races, SoCal voters had a lot on their minds as they lined up to vote, particularly around the economy.
Why now: LAist reporters were at polling stations across Los Angeles and Orange counties on Tuesday as thousands of people turned up to cast their ballots.
Read on... for more on what our journalists saw on the ground Tuesday.
LAist reporters were at polling stations across Los Angeles and Orange counties on Tuesday as thousands of people turned up to cast their ballots. From the presidential race and possibility of the first U.S. woman president, to more down ballot issues and races, voters had a lot on their minds as they lined up to vote, particularly around the economy.
Silvia Rosales of Koreatown told LAist's Julia Barajas she waited two hours to cast her vote.
"It's very difficult to gather the money you need for rent every month, yes, it's very difficult," she said. "And then food — it's so expensive! And, at work, we're earning the same wages."
Here's a look at what our journalists saw on the ground Tuesday:
What to expect: Overcast skies for areas along and close to the coast. Otherwise, expect a partly cloudy afternoon with highs ranging in the mid 70s to mid 80s for most of SoCal.
Read on ... to learn more.
May gray has come and gone, and now it's time for June gloom.
Overcast skies will be present this morning, especially along the beaches and valleys closest to the coast. Otherwise, we're in for a partly cloudy afternoon.
Today's temperatures at L.A. County beaches will stay around 66 to 71 degrees, and reach 76 to 80 degrees for places more inland.
In Orange County, expect similar temperatures with highs from 67 to 74 degrees for Huntington Beach and surrounding areas. More inland areas like Anaheim and Garden Grove will see temperatures of up to 79 degrees.
Moving on to L.A. County valleys, expect high temperatures in the low to mid 80s.
In the Inland Empire, temperatures will range 80 to 89 degrees.
Topline:
L.A.’s beloved bat roost count is back this month and L.A. County’s Natural History Museum is asking community scientists to join the survey.
Why it matters: The data collected during the Backyard Bat Survey helps researchers and policy makers better understand how bats live in urban environments.
The backstory: The museum has led the event for years, drawing young bat lovers and seasoned surveyors alike. The count spans several sites, including from underneath freeway bridges and the edge of the San Gabriel River.
What’s new: This year, the event is open to Angelenos 14 and over, a change from last year’s minimum age of 10. For enthusiasts who don’t quite make the new cutoff, the museum will host an education event all about bat roosting at the end of the summer. Those interested should notify the museum here.
How can I join? There is a waitlist for the count on June 13 and June 14. But there's still a chance to help. Free registration for the August count will open next month, according to organizers.
Go deeper: Why this biologist is leading night walks to hunt for bats along the LA River
Topline:
California is often knocked by the rest of the country as being slow to count votes. But here's the deal: That's a feature, not a bug, of the election system.
Why is that? Election Day is here, but now comes the waiting. Things take a while here largely because California works so hard to expand the ways people can vote.
Keep in mind: Things have sped up considerably in the 30 counties that have adopted a 2016 law called the Voter's Choice Act, including L.A., Orange, and Riverside counties.
Read on... for more details on what to expect in the coming days.
Election Day is here, but now comes the waiting.
Do you have something to watch on Netflix? Maybe you've been meaning to pick up a hobby — how about crochet? Whatever you do, take a deep breath and keep busy because it could be days (or weeks) before we get some California election results.
The state is often knocked by the rest of the country as being "slow" to count votes. But here's the deal: that's a feature, not a bug, of the election system.
Things take a while here largely because California works so hard to expand the ways people can vote. For example:
But things have sped up considerably in the 30 counties that have adopted a 2016 law called the Voter's Choice Act, including L.A., Orange and Riverside counties. In recent elections, the changes associated with that law — like voters not being locked into a designated polling location — drastically cut down the number of provisional ballots cast, which helped move things along faster than they had before.
Still, accuracy and a commitment to "expanding the franchise" — translation: allowing more people to vote — means the process is not designed to produce instantaneous results.
The California Secretary of State's Office is required to certify the final vote tallies by July 10, marking the official end of the 2026 primary election.
LAist's Voter Game Plan will be back in the fall to help you prepare for the Nov. 3 general election.
You'll have to get that endorphin hit elsewhere on June 2.
A few things to keep in mind: You may recall that during the 2024 primary, it took about a week to call the results for L.A. City Council races in District 4, where incumbent Nithya Raman was fighting to avoid a runoff election, and District 14, where challenger Ysabel Jurado wound up overtaking incumbent Kevin de León by just a few hundred votes.
It took an even longer 15 days to call the results of Prop. 1, during which opponents conceded, walked back that concession, and conceded again when the measure won by a razor-thin 0.4% margin. And it took 23 days to call the second-place winner for Orange County's 45th congressional district — it ultimately went to Democrat Derek Tran who went on to beat Republican Michelle Steel in the general election. Tran is now up for reelection and rematch with Steel is considered likely in November.
Depending on how close some of these races end up being, we may face similar waits this election cycle.
TL;DR: Officially, county and state election officials have until July 10 to certify election results — including a mandatory audit that requires hand-counting all of the ballots at 1% of precincts. Nevertheless, you're going to see a lot of national media headlines about California's relative "slowness." Brush it off. We have sunshine, beaches, and a highly enfranchised population.
This story was originally reported and written in 2020 and has been updated several times, including for the June 2026 primary, with current information. Libby Denkmann contributed to the original report and Megan Garvey did the most recent updating.
Topline:
If you’re still looking for places to watch the World Cup with other soccer fans, the Getty Center will host watch parties all summer.
What to know: Matches will be shown on large screens at the Trellis Bar & Lounge and Garden Terrace Café. Special food and drink menu items will also be available. On game days, signage at the center will point visitors to where to watch.
Is it free? Admission is free, but a reservation is required. From June 11 to July 19, parking will be free after 5 p.m.
For more information: Visit the Getty Center website for match schedules.
Where else can I watch for free? LAist has a guide on more free World Cup watch parties.
