Ask Onix
Primary results trickle in amid lengthy California vote count
California's primary elections remain unresolved days after polls closed, with millions of mail-in ballots still being processed. The state's meticulous verification process means final results could take weeks, officials say.
Why the delay?
California, home to 23 million registered voters, relies heavily on mail-in ballots, which account for roughly 80% of votes cast. These ballots must be postmarked by Election Day (2 June) and received by county offices by 9 June to be counted.
Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber described the delay as routine, urging patience. "California prioritizes voting rights and election security over speed," she said in a statement. Final results are due by 3 July, with certification on 10 July.
Trump amplifies unfounded fraud claims
Former President Donald Trump has seized on the delay to allege Democratic interference, falsely claiming on social media that the state is "stealing" the election. His remarks echo baseless assertions about the 2020 presidential race.
Governor Gavin Newsom's office dismissed Trump's claims as "lies," while the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles declined to comment. Trump has also pushed for the Save America Act, a proposed law requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration-a move critics say exceeds federal authority.
Key races hang in the balance
In the gubernatorial race, Republican Steve Hilton leads with 27.6% of the vote (1.42 million ballots), but only 56% of votes have been tallied. Democrats Xavier Becerra (25.6%) and Tom Steyer (19.8%) trail closely. California's "jungle primary" advances the top two candidates to November, regardless of party.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass secured 35% of the vote but failed to clear the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff. Reality TV star Spencer Pratt (29.9%) and Councilmember Nithya Raman (22.8%) remain in contention for the second spot. With nearly 6 million registered voters in L.A. County, the outcome may shift as late ballots are counted.
How California counts votes
Election officials have 30 days to process ballots, including verifying signatures on mail-in envelopes. Voters with mismatched signatures have until 8 July to correct discrepancies. Most results will be reported by 15 June, but provisional and late-arriving ballots could extend the timeline.
"We have a process that ensures both voting rights and election integrity. I call on all Californians to be patient."
Shirley N. Weber, California Secretary of State
What's next?
Counties will continue updating tallies daily. The Secretary of State's office will publish final results by 3 July, with certification a week later. Until then, officials warn against drawing conclusions from partial returns.
