Opinion | California, You Have Got to Count Votes Faster

NYT Homepage

by The Editorial Board

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

California’s slow process for counting votes, particularly its handling of mail-in ballots, has caused significant delays in recent elections, leaving Americans waiting weeks to learn the outcomes of major races. This issue is largely driven by California’s election rules, which allow ballots to arrive up to seven days after Election Day and rely on a cumbersome counting system. While the state intended these measures to increase voting access, they have failed to achieve their goal, as voter turnout has dropped below the national average since implementation. Historically, U.S. elections were resolved quickly, often within a day, thanks to advancements in technology like telegraphs, radio, and television. However, in recent years, California’s delays have disrupted this tradition, with the state taking at least a week to determine control of the House of Representatives in each of the past three congressional cycles. This slowness has eroded public confidence in the democratic process, as prolonged uncertainty fosters doubt and speculation. The slow counting also plays into the hands of politicians who spread misinformation about election integrity. For instance, claims of “magic” vote-counting or fraud have been used to sow distrust in election outcomes. While these individuals are responsible for spreading falsehoods, California’s delayed results make it easier for such narratives to gain traction. Other states, including Arizona, Nevada, New York, and Washington, also face similar challenges, though they are outliers compared to other high-income democracies that count votes quickly and accurately. To address this issue, lawmakers in these outlier states must reform their election systems to ensure faster results. Ideally, changes would be implemented in time for the 2028 presidential and congressional elections. Resolving elections promptly is essential for maintaining public trust in democracy and preventing the spread of misinformation.

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/19/2026