President Donald Trump accused California Democrats of attempting to steal the state’s primary elections Thursday as officials continued counting mail-in ballots days after voting concluded.
Trump posted on Truth Social that the state’s delayed vote tally represents potential election interference. California election officials have said the counting process for mail-in ballots could extend several weeks, a timeline established under state law.
What Trump Said
“The Dumocrats are at it again! They are trying to STEAL THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA PRIMARY, AND THE MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES, PRIMARY, AWAY FROM TWO GREAT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES,” Trump posted Thursday morning.
He added that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles is investigating the situation. Trump later posted about proposed voting reforms, including voter ID requirements, citizenship verification, and restrictions on mail-in balloting.
State’s Defense of Counting Timeline
Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom’s office released an explainer video defending California’s ballot-counting process as standard under state law.
The video featured CNN correspondent Elex Michaelson discussing why California allows extended counting periods. Michaelson noted that the system gives voters additional time to decide their choices before ballots are finalized.
The Criticism
Critics argue California’s slow count creates opportunities for election irregularities. Jarrett Stepman, writing for The Daily Signal, stated that Americans should receive election results promptly and that California’s process undermines public confidence.
“Slothful election results have plagued California for years since it made wholesale changes to its election system in 2016,” Stepman wrote, citing the state’s adoption of mass mail-in voting.
The Los Angeles mayoral race has drawn particular scrutiny, with vote totals continuing to shift in favor of leftist candidate Nithya Raman days after the election, according to reports.
This story has been updated. CNN’s digital team contributed to this report.
