California’s prolonged vote-counting process is again under national attention after former President Donald Trump accused Democrats of election misconduct in two high-profile primary races. As officials continue tabulating mail ballots days after polls closed, Trump claims a federal investigation is underway, while state election officials and analysts say the delays are routine under California law.
The focus is on the California governor’s primary and the Los Angeles mayoral election, both of which remain unresolved due to large numbers of uncounted ballots. The situation highlights the recurring tension between election transparency, voter access, and public confidence in results.
Statements
In multiple posts on Truth Social early Thursday, Trump alleged “big cheating” by Democrats in California, claiming votes were being delayed intentionally. He questioned why counting could take weeks and said the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles was investigating the matter.
Trump also criticized the role of mail-in ballots, arguing that late-arriving votes were being used to alter outcomes in favor of Democrats. No evidence supporting these claims has been released publicly, and no confirmation of a federal investigation has been provided by the Justice Department.
The comments are consistent with Trump’s past criticism of mail voting systems, particularly in states with large-scale absentee ballot use.
Contests
The uncertainty centers on two competitive races.
In the Los Angeles mayoral primary, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass is the only candidate who has officially advanced to the general election, securing about 35 percent of the vote. Spencer Pratt is currently in second place with 29.9 percent, followed by city council member Nithya Raman at 22.8 percent.
Raman has narrowed the gap as more mail ballots are counted. According to election data site VoteHub, approximately 333,000 ballots remain uncounted in the mayoral race, leaving the second runoff spot undecided.
In the California governor’s primary, Republican candidate Steve Hilton leads with 26.7 percent of the vote, though only 56 percent of ballots have been counted. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is close behind at 25.6 percent. Billionaire activist Tom Steyer remains in contention with 19.8 percent of the vote.
Process
California operates under an all-mail voting system, which sends ballots to every registered voter. Ballots may be mailed back or dropped off at polling locations, provided they are postmarked by Election Day.
Mail ballots require additional steps before counting. Each ballot must be verified, opened, and processed individually. These procedures, combined with California’s population size, contribute to slower reporting of results.
The state also uses a top-two primary system. All candidates, regardless of party, appear on the same ballot. If no candidate receives a majority, the two candidates with the most votes advance to the November general election.
Timeline
Delayed election results are typical in California. Over the past five general elections, the state has counted an average of 38 percent of its ballots after Election Day. During the 2022 midterm elections, roughly half of all votes were counted late.
By contrast, states such as Florida, which rely more heavily on in-person voting and earlier ballot deadlines, often complete vote counting within days.
| State | Mail Voting Use | Typical Count Time |
|---|---|---|
| California | High | Several weeks |
| Florida | Moderate | Several days |
California allows mail ballots to arrive after Election Day as long as they are postmarked on time, further extending the count.
Patterns
Historically, ballots counted later in California tend to favor Democratic candidates. This pattern has been observed across multiple election cycles and is often attributed to differences in voting methods and demographics.
In the Los Angeles mayoral race, Raman would need to outperform Pratt by slightly more than 11 percent in the remaining ballots to move into second place. In the governor’s race, Steyer would require a significant advantage in late-counted votes to overtake either Hilton or Becerra.
While Democrats are generally favored in statewide general elections, the crowded primary fields and narrow margins reflect a fragmented electorate.
Election officials say the extended counting period reflects state law rather than irregularities. California prioritizes ensuring that every eligible ballot is counted, even if the process takes weeks.
As counties continue releasing updated results, the final outcomes will likely depend on remaining mail ballots rather than legal challenges or investigations. The episode underscores the ongoing debate over how election systems balance speed, access, and public trust.
FAQs
Why does California take longer to count votes?
Mail ballots require verification and can arrive after Election Day.
Is there confirmed evidence of election fraud?
No confirmed evidence has been publicly released.
What is California’s top-two primary system?
The top two candidates advance regardless of party.
Who has advanced in the LA mayoral race?
Karen Bass has secured a runoff position.
Do late-counted ballots favor Democrats?
Historically, late ballots lean Democratic in California.
