With just one week until Election Day, voters across the Bay Area are weighing in on everything from the state’s next governor to the future of regional public transit.
Amid billions of dollars pouring into campaigns nationwide, both political parties are making a final push to grab undecided voters.
“Midterm elections are really often a referendum on the incumbent president and this election is no exception to that,” said Guy Marzorati, a KQED politics correspondent and NBC Bay Area contributor.
While California remains a heavily Democratic-leaning state, Republicans are focusing heavily on everyday pocketbook issues and public safety.
“Cost of living and quality of life specifically related to crime, those are the things driving voters in this election,” said John Dennis, California GOP chair of chairs. Dennis added that the party is working to turn voter frustration into ballots, including supporting their candidate for governor, Steve Hilton. “If we want our agenda to pass, if we want our candidates elected, Republicans have to turn out in droves. That’s what the party is working on right now.”
Democrats, meanwhile, are banking on high voter enthusiasm in a state where they hold a significant electoral advantage.
“Democratic enthusiasm is incredibly high and we have seen that be a driver in turnout in California,” Marzorati said.
Beyond the governor’s race, Bay Area voters will decide key congressional contests — including competitive primaries or intraparty matchups to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi — as well as a high-stakes regional transit measure impacting systems like BART and Muni across five counties.
With spending on election advertising nationwide projected to top $11.2 billion — making it the most expensive cycle to date, according to ad-tracking system Ad-Impact — officials are urging voters to have a solid voting plan.
“If you’re going to vote at this point, bring it to a drop box, to a secure voting location and just have that peace of mind that your ballot will actually be counted,” Marzorati advised.
