California's slow vote count stirs frustration, but changes would be hard
Key takeaways
- Over the last decade, California became a national leader in voter accessibility and security, expanding options for when and how ballots can be cast while also strengthening election safeguards.
- And in a political climate where unsupported conspiracies about election fraud can run rampant on social media — pushed, at times, by top political leaders — some fear the slow vote count is becoming a liability.
- And in prior years, it’s taken even longer to determine tight U.S.
Supporters for Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt wave banners behind live broadcasts during an election night party at Don Antonio’s Mexican restaurant on June 2 in Los Angeles. (Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times) By Grace Toohey Staff Writer Follow June 14, 2026 3 AM PT 11 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
Over the last decade, California became a national leader in voter accessibility and security, expanding options for when and how ballots can be cast while also strengthening election safeguards.
But those reforms came at a cost: speed. And in a political climate where unsupported conspiracies about election fraud can run rampant on social media — pushed, at times, by top political leaders — some fear the slow vote count is becoming a liability.