Why California’s Los Angeles election results are taking longer than usual
On election day, primary votes from California’s second‑largest city, Los Angeles, are still trickling in. The delay is not a mystery – it is the result of the state’s stringent vote‑counting rules and a mail‑in system that serves every registered voter.
California opens 23 million ballots each election season. About 80 % are mailed to voters, and a state law requires each envelope be opened, verified and counted. Signatures are matched to voter databases; mismatches trigger follow‑up registration corrections. The process can take weeks, especially after a big turnout.
County officials have up to 30 days after the election to finish ballots, and final tallies are due to the state Secretary of State by early July. In July, results will be certified.
“The delay is normal,” said Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber on election night. She urged voters to remain patient and emphasized that the procedure protects the right to vote and safeguards electoral integrity.
President Trump has escalated complaints of “BIG cheating” in the state, a claim unsupported by evidence. He has called for nationwide changes to registration, and some of his rhetoric has fueled speculation that California’s mail‑in system is vulnerable to fraud.
In the Los Angeles mayoral race, incumbent Karen Bass has advanced to the November runoff, holding 35 % of the vote, with reality‑star challenger Spencer Pratt at 29.9 % and council member Nithya Raman at 22.8 %. The city’s two‑thirds‑plus impetus still means the final match‑up is uncertain.
The state governor primary is also in progress. Initial tallies – including early mail‑in and in‑person votes – show Steve Hilton leading with 27.6 % of the vote. Close behind are Democrat Xavier Becerra (25.6 %) and climate‑activist Tom Steyer (19.8 %). Up to half of ballots remain uncounted; therefore the final outcome could shift.
California’s “jungle primary” system, used for all statewide contests, will select the two contenders with the highest votes regardless of party. The next round will determine the candidates for the general election.
Los Angeles’, home to nearly six million registered voters, is the country’s most populous county. The regional spread and scale of mail‑in voting explain why counties, especially the Los Angeles County Ballot Processing Center, face logistical challenges and why verification steps take time.
Despite claims of system manipulation, election officials verified that all ballots posted by election day and arriving within the required time frame were counted. The state’s certification is scheduled for 10 July, after all answers to signature‑verification questions are resolved.
Further details on the governor and mayoral races are available on BBC News and the full mayoral coverage.
