LOS ANGELES – California is approaching the conclusion of the ballot counting process from its June 2 primary, a drawn-out and meticulous effort. This slow pace is largely attributed to various alterations implemented over the years, aimed at enhancing voter turnout by making the voting process more accessible.
Despite these efforts, state data and analyses from election experts indicate that there have been no significant improvements in voter participation. This is particularly concerning as California’s extended ballot counting has attracted scrutiny from figures like former President Donald Trump, who has leveraged the situation to fuel unfounded election conspiracy theories.
Preliminary figures from the secretary of state’s office show turnout at 40.8% in the June primary. While this figure represents an increase over the previous two primary elections, it falls short of participation levels seen in several primaries dating back to 2000, and is significantly lower than the turnout rates of the 1970s, which sometimes exceeded 70%.
A significant disparity remains in voter participation among younger demographics and voters of color. According to the Center for Inclusive Democracy, a nonpartisan research organization, the most consistent voters in California tend to be older, white, and affluent homeowners.
Mindy Romero, the center’s director, noted the limited progress resulting from voting reforms over the past decade. She stated, “We haven’t seen significant jumps in turnout. We still have very significant disparity in turnout with race and ethnicity. The numbers don’t lie.”
California’s Voting Changes and Their Impact
California has enacted a series of changes aimed at increasing voter participation, particularly in a state that leans heavily Democratic. However, these changes have often resulted in prolonged ballot counting times.
For instance, every voter receives a mail-in ballot that can arrive at an election office up to seven days after Election Day, as long as it is postmarked by that date. Additionally, residents have the option to register to vote on Election Day, which further extends the counting process as those ballots are only counted once registration is verified.
The verification process requires matching the signature on the mail ballot envelope with the one on file, which can lead to delays if there are mismatches. In fact, a report from the California Voter Foundation indicated that the percentage of ballots counted within two days of Election Day has decreased from 81% in 2004 to only 66% in 2024.
In contrast, states like Florida and Texas manage to conclude vote counting in a timely manner, while California often finds itself lagging, with close race outcomes taking weeks to finalize.
The extended counting timeline has raised concerns among candidates, leading to accusations of potential electoral malfeasance. Trump has capitalized on California’s slow counting reputation to reiterate his criticisms of the state’s electoral processes. Even Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration has expressed frustration over the slow pace, with the state budget allocating $29 million to expedite the counting process.
The Voter’s Choice Act and Its Outcome
In 2016, the Voter’s Choice Act was introduced with the intent to enhance voting convenience and boost turnout, particularly among younger voters and communities of color. The new law aimed to facilitate statewide vote-by-mail and replace traditional polling places with community voting centers and ballot drop boxes.
Despite these changes, data suggests that the law has not achieved its intended results. For example, turnout for the 2024 presidential election was 71%, which is only marginally lower than the turnout seen in 2004. Additionally, the 2022 midterms saw a turnout of 51%, reflecting no significant variation from midterm election statistics 20 years prior.
A 2025 study by the Public Policy Institute of California indicated that turnout rates did not significantly improve or deteriorate among any racial or ethnic group. The study concluded that the effects of the Voter’s Choice Act had not significantly aligned with the original objective of creating a broader and more representative electorate.
Challenges Ahead for California Voting
There is a growing consensus that further efforts are necessary to engage and motivate infrequent voters, particularly from communities of color who often feel marginalized by political campaigns. Senator Alex Padilla, who was the state’s chief elections officer during the implementation of the Voter’s Choice Act, emphasized the need for candidates and political parties to enhance their efforts in motivating voters.
Kim Alexander, president of the California Voter Foundation, noted that California’s voting landscape is complicated by its sheer scale, with over 23 million registered voters, the highest of any state. While the percentage of eligible voters registered has increased to nearly 85%, turnout has not followed suit, presenting an ongoing challenge for timely election results.
Alexander also pointed out that the complexity of California’s ballots, which often include numerous races and local initiatives, can overwhelm potential voters, contributing to lower turnout rates in primary elections.
Ultimately, while California has made strides in facilitating the voting process, the motivations behind voter participation may be influenced more by trust in government, the content of the ballot, and the effectiveness of get-out-the-vote campaigns rather than the voting model itself, according to Bob Page, Orange County’s registrar of voters.
