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 County results Perkins: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Glenn: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% White: 30–40% 40–50% | |||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1879 California gubernatorial election was held on September 3, 1879, to elect the governor of California. George Clement Perkins won a plurality of votes, marking the fourth consecutive election in which the incumbent governor's party was defeated. Earlier that year, on May 7, 1879, voters in California approved a new constitution which, effective in 1880, moved the dates of elections to even-numbered years to coincide with elections for federal offices. Thus, the next election for governor would be held on November 7, 1882. As such, Perkins' term as governor would last only three years.