California voters will cast ballots Tuesday in primary elections that include contested races for governor and Los Angeles mayor, with crime emerging as a key issue in several campaigns.

In the gubernatorial race, Republican candidate Steve Hilton has called on fellow Republican Chad Bianco to withdraw from the race, expressing concern that a divided Republican field could result in Democrats securing both spots in California's top-two primary system for the general election. Recent polling indicates Xavier Becerra has taken a lead in the gubernatorial primary.

The Los Angeles mayoral race has drawn significant attention, with multiple candidates making final appeals to voters. Spencer Pratt, one of the mayoral candidates, held a campaign event Saturday in Baldwin Village as part of his final push before election day.

Crime has become a prominent issue for voters across the state, with residents expressing concerns about public safety at various levels. The issue is particularly prominent in the Los Angeles mayoral race, where candidates have been addressing voter concerns about local crime rates.

California's primary system allows the top two vote-getters to advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation, making these preliminary contests crucial for determining which candidates will appear on the November ballot.