Who will replace Newsom? What to know about California’s primary elections

California, the most populous US state, has attracted attention for its contentious gubernatorial race with 61 candidates.

Few states are as synonymous with left-wing politics in the United States as California.

On Tuesday, the western state is headed to the polls to vote in primary elections, ahead of November’s midterms. But a quirk in its primary system has made its governor’s race vulnerable to a Republican takeover.

California is only one of two states that have embraced the so-called jungle primary: a system where any voter can vote for any candidate, regardless of party affiliation. The top two contenders advance to the general election.

With 61 gubernatorial candidates on the ballot this year, Democratic support is heavily divided, allowing two Republicans to rank near the top of the field.

Could a Republican succeed outgoing Democrat Gavin Newsom as governor? And who is going to replace former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as representative for San Francisco?

Go inside some of California’s top statewide primary races in this brief explainer.

Mail-in ballots are also sent to every active registered voter, a measure meant to ensure that people who find it difficult to vote in person still have the chance to cast their vote.

To be counted, those ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, and they must arrive at a county elections office no later than June 9.

Aside from the governor’s race, numerous statewide positions are up for grabs, including attorney general, state treasurer and lieutenant governor.

The race to be mayor of Los Angeles, the state’s largest city, is also being closely watched.

No US Senate seat is on the ballot in California this year, but the race for the House of Representatives is set to be critical.

Every two years, House seats across the country are put on the election ballot. There are 435 in total, divided among the states by population.

California, having the most residents of any state, accordingly commands the most House seats, at 52.

Democrats aim to flip control of the House in November’s midterm elections, so Tuesday’s primaries will be critical to setting up the congressional showdown.

Tuesday’s primary will be the first time the state uses its new congressional map.

That map is part of a larger battle between Democrats and Republicans for control of the House of Representatives.

Last year, President Donald Trump pressured Republican-led states like Texas to redraw their congressional districts to help elect right-wing candidates.

In response, Governor Newsom championed a ballot