Why California’s Election Results May Take Weeks to Finalize

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By Kenneth Schrupp, originally published on The Center Square

(The Center Square) – While most states are able to finish counting ballots within a day or two, recent results for statewide elections indicate California’s results on close ballot measures and other contests may not be finalized for several weeks. 

While the 2024 primary was held on March 5, Proposition 1, news organizations did not start calling the governor’s $12.6 billion homeless housing and services bond measure’s narrow passage until March 21, over two weeks later. 

During the 2022 general election on November 8, Congressman John Duarte, R-Modesto, was not declared the victor until December 2. 

This year, California’s early voting period started October 7, and ballots postmarked up through election day can still be counted so long as they arrive no later than seven days after the election. 

The duration of the count has led some to call the voting cycle in California “Election Season,” rather than “Election Day.” 

“I think it is absolutely insane how long counting takes in California. Every nation and just about every state can figure this out,” said Assemblymember Joe Patterson, R-Rocklin, on X. “If we were a swing state, it wouldn’t take this long.” 

In 2020, Georgia, the last of the swing states to be called in the presidential election on November 3, wascalled on November 13.