POLITICS

Late mail ballots reshape California primary standings

▪

Read, Watch or Listen

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 11

Left 25%

Center 25%

Right 50%

Sources: 11

Los Angeles: Late-arriving mail ballots shifted standings in the June 2 mayoral primary this week, erasing reality-television personality Spencer Pratt's early lead and elevating City Councilmember Nithya Raman. Election officials recorded successive batches of mailed ballots over several days, consistent with California rules allowing ballots postmarked by Election Day to arrive within seven days. California county offices, including Mendocino County, reported ongoing counts on June 8–9 as thousands of ballots remained unprocessed; Mendocino officials reported 17,720 ballots left to count on June 8. Republican leaders and former President Trump amplified fraud claims, while state officials and Democrats emphasized legal procedures and the certification process pending verification.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

September 27, 2021: Governor Newsom made pandemic-era vote-by-mail measures permanent.
June 2, 2026: California conducted its statewide primary and mailed ballots to registered voters.
Early June 2026: Initial returns displayed early leads for some candidates based on in-person and early returns.
June 6–9, 2026: Successive batches of late-arriving mail ballots shifted results in races, including the LA mayoral primary.
Ongoing: County offices update unprocessed-ballot reports weekly and will certify results after verification and counting concludes.

Why This Matters to You

Your vote counts, even if it arrives late. California's mail-in ballot rules mean election outcomes can shift days after the polls close. Stay informed by checking county offices' weekly updates on unprocessed-ballot reports.

The Bottom Line

Election results aren't final until every vote is counted. Despite claims of fraud, officials stress the importance of legal procedures and verification. Remember, sharing accurate information helps keep our democracy strong. Worth forwarding if you know someone who needs a reminder.