California Candidates Omitted Voter Guide Statements
Gubernatorial and attorney general candidates declined voluntary spending limits, excluding them from the state guide.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Elections
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California gubernatorial candidates Hilton and Becerra, alongside Attorney General Rob Bonta, have excluded their statements from the state's 176-page voter guide. The candidates declined to adhere to voluntary campaign spending limits required for inclusion.
Why it matters
Candidates have opted to bypass the voter guide, prioritizing alternative campaign funding and advertising strategies over the state-sponsored literature. This highlights a growing trend where campaigns view traditional voter guides as less effective for reaching voters than direct funding.
Candidates must agree to specific spending caps, currently $19.6 million for governor and $11.8 million for attorney general, to publish statements in the 176-page voter guide. These limits are adjusted every two years by the Fair Political Practices Commission.
The players
Hilton
Hilton is a gubernatorial candidate who opted out of the voluntary spending cap.
Becerra
Becerra is a gubernatorial candidate who chose not to limit campaign spending.
Rob Bonta
Rob Bonta is the California Attorney General who declined the spending threshold for his reelection.
Gray Davis
Gray Davis was the last Democratic candidate to accept voluntary spending limits in 2002.
Fair Political Practices Commission
The Fair Political Practices Commission is the agency that adjusts campaign spending limits based on inflation.
The details
Candidates must pay a fee and abide by voluntary spending limits established by Proposition 34 to appear in the official state publication. By declining these thresholds, these candidates forfeit their space in the guide, a practice that has become standard since Gray Davis became the last Democratic candidate to accept such limits in 2002.
Timeline
2000: Voters passed Proposition 34 to establish voluntary spending limits.
2002: Gray Davis was the last Democratic candidate to accept voluntary spending limits.
Every two years: The Fair Political Practices Commission adjusts spending limits.
September 2026: Official voter guides began arriving in California mailboxes.
Political Context
The exclusion of candidate statements follows a long-standing pattern set by the 2000 passage of Proposition 34. Opposition groups often argue that these voluntary limits are unrealistic for modern campaigns, leading to the current widespread rejection of the policy by high-profile candidates.
California residents will find these specific candidate statements missing from the 176-page voter guide currently arriving in mailboxes. Voters must now rely on external campaign materials or digital resources to evaluate these candidates, as the official state guide will not provide their personal platforms.
The takeaway
Voters should be aware that the absence of a candidate statement in the official guide does not indicate ineligibility, but rather a strategic choice regarding campaign funding. Checking independent candidate websites remains the best way to review platforms when official state summaries are excluded.
Further reading
For more on the current state of races, visit California Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Sacramento Bee.
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