California primary sees record rejection of mail ballots

State data show that 148,241 mail‑in ballots were rejected in California’s June primary, representing 1.73% of all mail ballots and the highest number in recent statewide primaries. The figure is up from 108,982 rejected ballots in the 2024 primary and 105,818 in 2022.

Late‑postmarked ballots were the dominant cause, with 93,479 ballots discarded because the postmark arrived after Election Day. Election officials and experts link the surge to recent changes at the United States Postal Service that affect processing times and postmark application. Kim Alexander, president of the nonpartisan California Voter Foundation, warned that the spike “does really demand the question why this is happening.”

The increase raises concerns about the reliability of mail‑in voting, especially as California has expanded ballot‑mailing to all registered voters and allows ballots to arrive up to seven days after Election Day if properly postmarked. Critics say the issue could suppress voter participation in tightly contested races, such as the governor’s race, where many voters waited until the final days to cast their ballots.