California’s elections are known for their extended counting period, largely due to the state’s universal vote-by-mail system. This year is no exception, as the process continues beyond Election Day. The state’s large population and the high volume of mail ballots contribute to the delay in finalizing results.
Vote-by-Mail System
In the 2024 general election, over 80% of the 16.1 million ballots cast were mail ballots. Under California law, these ballots can be received up to seven days after the election, provided they are postmarked by Election Day. This system requires election officials to verify each ballot before counting, adding to the time needed to finalize results.
Historically, mail ballots counted after Election Day tend to favor Democratic candidates. This trend is expected to continue, with data from Political Data, Inc. indicating that Democratic voters are returning their ballots at a slower pace than in previous elections.
Impact on Key Races
In the California governor’s race, Democratic former US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is likely to secure one of the two spots in the November election. The other spot is contested between Republican former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Democratic billionaire investor Tom Steyer. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has advanced to the November election, but the second spot remains uncertain as Republican former reality TV star Spencer Pratt loses ground to progressive city councilmember Nithya Raman.
Both gubernatorial candidates and their supporters are preparing for a prolonged counting process. Steyer’s campaign anticipates a larger share of Democratic votes being counted later in the process, while Hilton, endorsed by former President Trump, has criticized the slow pace but acknowledged no concerns over the results’ validity.
Criticism and Concerns
Hilton expressed frustration with the extended timeline, calling it “ridiculous” that California’s system allows for such delays. Despite this criticism, the process remains a crucial part of ensuring every vote is counted accurately and fairly.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
