NewsNBC Bay Area — Local NewsJuly 2, 2026United States
Why California's Ballot Counting Takes So Long and Whether Voting Reforms Are Working
California's efforts to increase voter turnout through expanded mail-in voting and registration options have not led to significant participation gains, while simultaneously slowing down the state's ballot counting process. State officials have allocated $29 million in the new budget to address the slow tallying, which has become a point of political contention.
Read the full story at NBC Bay Area — Local NewsWhy It Matters
California residents face extended periods for final election results due to current voting laws, and the state has allocated $29 million in the 2025 budget to improve the speed of ballot processing.
Key Facts
- The state budget includes $29 million to help accelerate the ballot counting process.
- Turnout for the June primary was 40.8%.
- The percentage of ballots counted within two days of Election Day dropped from 81% in 2004 to 66% in 2024.
- California has over 23 million registered voters, an increase of 7.5 million since 2006.
- Nearly 85% of eligible Californians are registered to vote, up from 70% two decades ago.
- The Voter's Choice Act of 2016 expanded mail-in voting and replaced some polling places with voting centers.
- Mail-in ballots are counted if postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days.
- Voters can register to vote on Election Day, with ballots counted after registration verification.
- Election officials must provide voters an opportunity to correct signature mismatches on mail-in ballots.
- A 2025 study found that the Voter's Choice Act did not consistently improve turnout for any racial or ethnic group.
- White residents make up 50% of likely voters in California despite being 36% of the adult population.
Who's Mentioned
personDonald Trump“Former President who has criticized California's slow vote counting.”personMindy Romero“Director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy.”organizationPublic Policy Institute of California“Research group that published a 2025 study on the Voter's Choice Act.”organizationCenter for Inclusive Democracy“Research group studying voting trends.”organizationCalifornia Voter Foundation“Nonpartisan research group that tracks election data.”personKim Alexander“President of the California Voter Foundation.”personBob Page“Orange County Registrar of Voters.”personAlex Padilla“U.S. Senator and former California Secretary of State.”organizationDepartment of Justice“Federal agency investigating Los Angeles County elections.”personGavin Newsom“Governor of California whose office has acknowledged the slow pace of counting.”personJerry Brown“Former Governor who signed the Voter's Choice Act.”