Former President Donald Trump has expressed concerns regarding the slow vote-counting process in California, accusing Democrats of attempting to manipulate election outcomes as ballots continue to be tallied days after Election Day. With final results for both the Los Angeles mayoral race and the contest to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom still undetermined, Trump voiced his dissatisfaction through social media.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “There’s BIG cheating by the Dumocrats in California,” suggesting that the ongoing counting of votes may take weeks. He claimed that the ongoing situation has drawn the attention of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, although it remains unclear if he initiated or requested any official investigations into the matter.
Trump doubled down on his assertions, alleging that Democrats aimed to dissuade Republican candidates in California’s unique jungle primary system. In this system, all candidates appear on a single ballot, and the top two finishers advance to the November election, regardless of party affiliation.
As it stands, Republican candidate Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra are leading the race to replace Governor Newsom. However, millions of ballots are still in the process of being counted, leaving the final outcomes uncertain.
In the Los Angeles mayoral race, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass is currently leading, with reality television personality Spencer Pratt in a close second. Progressive City Council member Nithya Raman remains within reach, suggesting that final results are still in flux as votes are processed. The standings in these races are expected to change as additional ballot counts are reported.
In response to Trump’s allegations, Newsom’s office criticized him on social media, stating, “Trump is lying about California again—time to take the phone away from grandpa and put him to sleep.” California’s election officials have long maintained that the state is one of the slowest in the nation to report election results, a practice they argue prioritizes voter participation and thorough ballot verification over speed.
Concerns Over Transparency and Voter Trust
The lengthy counting process has caused frustration among voters, contributing to questions about transparency in the electoral process. Election observers have noted that the reported estimates of ballots counted have at times fluctuated, leading to confusion over the total count and prompting skepticism about the election’s integrity.
While the shifting vote totals do not serve as evidence of wrongdoing, many voters across the political spectrum have raised legitimate concerns regarding the transparency of the counting process and the drawn-out timelines for determining race outcomes.
Vote-by-Mail and Provisional Ballots
California utilizes a vote-by-mail system in which ballots are sent to every registered voter. For the 2024 presidential election, it is reported that nearly 90% of ballots were cast by mail. State law allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be accepted up to seven days later, meaning the deadline for the June primary is set for June 9.
Furthermore, California permits same-day voter registration, which means some provisional ballots must await eligibility verification before they can be counted. Election officials must verify signatures, examine provisional ballots, and review any damaged ballots. Following this assessment, counties are required to complete a mandatory audit and certification process, which can take up to 30 days.
The complicated nature of California’s voting system, combined with the high volume of mail-in ballots, contributes to the lengthy process and ongoing public speculation regarding election integrity. As the counting continues, both supporters and critics of the election process will be closely monitoring the outcomes.