SACRAMENTO — Every two years, as elite athletes compete in the Olympics, and even as biennial plants like carrots and onions produce seeds, a different kind of anticipation—and often, frustration—takes root across America. People watch with consternation and mounting impatience as California counts its election ballots. The prolonged tally has become as much a part of electioneering in the Golden State as wall-to-wall advertising, high-flown promises, and overstuffed mailboxes. But the slow count isn’t a feature, it’s a friction point, eroding trust and fueling false narratives.
California’s commitment to accessible voting—mailing a ballot to every eligible voter—is commendable, placing it among the states with the easiest elections to participate in. Yet, this very accessibility contributes to the lengthy tabulation process. More than 16 million Californians voted in the 2020 presidential election, a figure exceeding the population of all but ten states. The sheer volume of ballots, coupled with the increasing popularity of voting by mail—many arriving after election day—and rigorous safeguards against fraud, creates a complex logistical challenge.
The delay, however, isn’t merely a matter of logistics. It’s become a breeding ground for misinformation, particularly from those seeking to undermine faith in the democratic process. House Speaker Mike Johnson recently falsely suggested that chicanery cost the GOP three House seats in California in 2024, claiming, “They hold the elections open for weeks after election day…It looks on its face to be fraudulent.” These claims, widely debunked, echo the conspiratorial rhetoric of former President Donald Trump and contribute to a dangerous erosion of public trust.
The Root of the Problem: A System Built for Access, Not Speed
Kim Alexander, head of the nonpartisan California Voter Foundation, has spent over three decades working to improve the state’s elections. Her dedication stems from a childhood experience tracking her father’s campaign returns in a garage, witnessing firsthand the importance of a transparent and efficient process. “We need to stop explaining why it’s taking so long and start figuring out how to produce election results in a more satisfying way,” Alexander says. “You’ll see a lot of things that we could do better and do differently. It just takes some creative thinking and some will.” Simply put, as Alexander notes, “The longer it takes to count ballots, the more voter confidence erodes.”
The current system, whereas prioritizing accessibility, relies on a largely county-run process. Each of California’s 58 counties manages its own voter database and ballot processing, creating inconsistencies and delays. The state mails every registered voter a ballot, a practice that significantly increases participation but also adds to the tabulation workload. California law allows voters to return their ballots to any county in the state, requiring those ballots to then be routed to the voter’s home county for processing—a process that can take over a week.
Potential Solutions: Funding, Technology, and Streamlined Processes
Alexander and other election experts have identified several key areas for improvement. Increasing funding for counties is paramount, allowing them to invest in updated equipment, hire sufficient staff, and secure adequate space for ballot processing. Currently, the state often asks counties to absorb increased costs without full reimbursement. A pilot program in Placer County demonstrated the effectiveness of “sign, scan and go” systems, where voters can return mail ballots in person at designated polling places, shaving three to four days off processing time. Expanding this system statewide could yield significant results.
Another crucial step is centralizing voter database management. Moving from the current bottom-up approach, where counties independently manage their data, to a top-down system managed in Sacramento would streamline the process and reduce delays. Creating “ballot swap” days, dedicated to quickly routing out-of-county ballots to their correct destinations, could also expedite tabulation. These changes, however, require both political will and financial investment.
Beyond Logistics: Addressing Misinformation and Building Trust
While logistical improvements are essential, addressing the underlying issue of misinformation is equally important. Simply explaining the reasons for the delay—the high volume of ballots, the security measures in place—can help build trust and counter false narratives. However, proactive communication and transparency are key. Providing real-time updates on ballot processing, publishing detailed reports on the verification process, and actively debunking false claims can help restore public confidence.
Governor Gavin Newsom recently defended California’s election security against attacks from former President Trump, emphasizing the state’s commitment to safe and secure elections. Speeding up the tabulation process could further bolster his credentials as he considers a potential presidential run in 2028. A faster, more transparent system would not only address legitimate concerns about the delay but also inoculate the state against future attacks on its democratic processes.
The question isn’t whether California can maintain its commitment to accessible voting, but whether it can do so *efficiently*. The current system, while well-intentioned, is increasingly unsustainable in the face of growing misinformation and declining public trust. The state has a responsibility to its voters to deliver timely and accurate results, not just to ensure fair elections, but to safeguard the very foundation of its democracy.
Looking ahead, the California State Legislature is expected to convene a working group in early March to discuss potential election reforms, including funding for county election offices and the feasibility of a statewide “sign, scan and go” system. The outcome of these discussions will be critical in determining whether California can finally resolve the perennial question that arises after every election: What the heck’s with California?
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