What Went Down At The California Recall Election: Live Results

To Nathaniel’s earlier point, the preliminary exit polls suggest that Californians — specifically those who took the trouble to vote in the recall — feel pretty good about where the state is in terms of the pandemic, and don’t want to backslide. More than two-thirds of recall voters feel like the state’s coronavirus situation is getting better or staying the same. And in addition to the 69 percent support for the school mask mandate, 63 percent say they see getting vaccinated as more of a public-health responsibility than a personal choice.

Also of note: COVID-19 ranks as the No. 1 issue on voters’ minds — ahead of homelessness, wildfires, crime and the economy.