California primary vote count remains incomplete weeks after June 2 election

California’s June 2 primary elections are still being tallied, with officials reporting that only about two‑thirds of the ballots have been counted. The delays affect high‑profile races, including the contest to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom and the race for Los Angeles mayor.

Officials attribute the slow pace to the massive volume of mail‑in ballots, each of which must undergo signature verification, opening, sorting and inspection. Because every one of the state’s 58 counties runs its own vote‑counting operation, resources and technology vary, creating further bottlenecks. State Secretary of State Shirley Weber emphasized that “accuracy comes before speed,” insisting the thorough process protects voter rights.

The protracted count has sparked political criticism. Former President Donald Trump claimed, without evidence, that the slow tally shows election fraud, while Governor Newsom urged counties to accelerate the process to prevent misinformation. Analysts note that the timing of the count could influence the November general election, especially as California’s congressional districts are crucial for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.