California Primary Results Finalized More Than a Week After Election Day

Vote tallies in multiple California races were completed more than a week after election day, setting the field for the November general election. In the governor's race, Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton finished as the top two candidates. In the Los Angeles mayoral contest, Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Nithya Raman advanced, while Spencer Pratt did not.

Five newly redrawn congressional districts also concluded their counts. The results will determine which candidates advance to the November ballot. The lengthy counting period has drawn attention to California's election procedures, including its vote-by-mail system and acceptance of ballots postmarked by election day.

" Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli posted that federal prosecutors and the FBI are conducting multiple election fraud investigations. Democratic strategist Garry South said the extended count results from the state's reliance on mail-in ballots.

"The plain and simple fact is that it takes longer to count our votes because we rely on mail-in ballots, which are accepted and counted if they are mailed by election day," he told the Washington Examiner. Media and culture expert Kaivan Shroff said the wait time reflects normal procedures but noted that state officials could improve public communication about the process.

Republican Steve Hilton urged state officials to accelerate counting, stating that delays erode public trust. "Californians deserve elections that are secure, transparent, and timely," he said.