Why counting votes in California takes long — here is what to expect
Counting votes in California often takes longer than in other states due to its expansive voting system. The state allows various voting methods, including mail-in ballots and drop boxes, which can lead to delays in counting. Additionally, ballots can arrive after Election Day if postmarked on time, further extending the counting process.
- ▪California voters participated in several high-profile races on June 2, including the governor's race and the Los Angeles mayoral election.
- ▪Republican Steve Hilton currently leads the governor's race with 27.2 percent of the vote, while Karen Bass leads the mayoral race with nearly 35 percent.
- ▪The state's voting system prioritizes access over speed, allowing for multiple voting methods and accepting late-arriving ballots.
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Politics Why counting votes in California takes long — here is what to expect By Zain Khan Published June 5, 2026, 8:00 a.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The California Post on Google When elections happen in the United States, winners are often projected on election night or by the next morning. That is not always the case in California. Voters across the state cast ballots on June 2 in several high-profile races, including the contest to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom and the race for mayor of Los Angeles. Yet days later, some contests remain too close to call.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at California Post.