In California, the counting of votes can extend for days or even weeks after an election due to the state’s acceptance of mail-in ballots that arrive up to a week late. With approximately 23 million registered voters, the counting process is complicated and requires significant time to ensure accuracy. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within a seven-day grace period to be counted. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber stated that while initial counts provide a good indication of outcomes, final results can take weeks due to outstanding mail-in ballots. Each mail ballot requires signature verification, which adds to the delay. Currently, county election officials have up to 30 days to complete their counts, with final results due by July 3, 2026. However, a Supreme Court case brought by the Republican National Committee could impact this process by potentially ending the grace period for late-arriving ballots, which may affect future elections. Despite claims of fraud associated with mail-in voting, research indicates that such incidents are infrequent.