By Sohaib Shams
California's midterm election results may not be projected until days or even weeks after Election Day on Nov. 3, largely because the state relies heavily on mail-in ballots and a meticulous verification process.
High Volume of Mail-In Ballots
With 23 million registered voters, California is the most populous state. More than 89% of voters in the June primary cast ballots by mail, according to Secretary of State Shirley Weber. State law allows vote-by-mail ballots postmarked on or before Election Day to be counted if they arrive within seven days after the election.
Signature Verification and Counting Timeline
Each mail ballot envelope must have a signature that matches the voter's registration record. County election officials have up to 30 days after the election to complete the count. Weber certified the primary results on July 10, with the two gubernatorial candidates projected about a week after the primary.
Political Criticism and Legal Challenges
Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed without evidence that California elections are "rigged," pointing to the Los Angeles mayoral primary where Republican Spencer Pratt initially led but lost after all ballots were counted. The Supreme Court upheld a Mississippi law permitting late-arriving mail ballots postmarked by Election Day and rejected the Trump administration's attempt to impose federal restrictions on mail-in voting.
Other States With Extended Counting
California is not alone. Alaska accepts some ballots up to 15 days after the election, and Pennsylvania prohibits counties from opening mail ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day, delaying the count of early votes.
Officials Emphasize Security
Weber and Governor Gavin Newsom have stressed that voting in California is secure and accessible. A Brookings Institution analysis found voter fraud in mail voting to be rare. An October poll showed 65% of likely California voters planned to vote by mail, while only 11% intended to vote in person on Election Day.
