California's vote counting process is notably slower than in other states, attributed to its focus on inclusivity. The state has approximately 23.2 million registered voters and has implemented legislation to send mail-in ballots to all voters to enhance accessibility. Democratic Assemblymember Marc Berman, who sponsored the legislation, stated, "Our priority is trying to maximize participation of actively registered voters. What that means is things are a little slower. But in a society that wants immediate gratification, I think our democracy is worth taking a little time to get it right and to create a system where everyone can participate."
Mail-in ballots contribute to delays as each ballot requires individual opening and validation. California permits absentee ballots to be processed 29 days before Election Day and accepts mail-in ballots up to seven days post-election if they are postmarked by Election Day. It may take up to a week to ascertain the total number of ballots cast.
While California mandates ID for voter registration, it does not require identification for in-person or absentee voting. Instead, election officials verify signatures on ballots, a process that can extend the counting timeline, especially if errors are present. California allows voters to correct ballot errors, known as ballot curing, even after Election Day, with a deadline of two days before election certification. This can result in extended delays in confirming election results, as evidenced by the Los Angeles mayoral race, where only 63% of votes were counted the day after the election, with final results expected to take days or weeks to confirm.
