California’s universal vote-by-mail system is under fire. Every registered voter gets a ballot—whether they want it or not. Ballots can pile up for people who aren’t voting or have moved, with outdated addresses turning mailboxes into security risks. Critics point to ballot harvesting, slow updates, late results, and unreliable postmarks as proof the system needs an overhaul.
Although state officials highlight accessibility and inclusion, the system faces notable challenges—particularly slow vote counting. Ballots postmarked by Election Day can be counted up to seven days later, resulting in delayed results. Late-arriving ballots require manual signature verification and a lengthy “curing” process if errors are found, further postponing final results and potentially eroding public trust. For example, if a ballot is unsigned, election workers must contact the voter to resolve the issue, which adds further delays. This process is known as “ballot curing,” which some consider unnecessary. If someone waits until the last minute and forgets to sign the ballot, it clearly shows a lack of interest in civic affairs or that the person was rushed into submitting a ballot without understanding what needs to be done.
Allowing third parties or political operatives to collect and return ballots—known as “ballot harvesting”—raises significant concerns. Critics argue that without a clear chain of custody, the risks of fraud, coercion, and loss of ballot secrecy increase, especially when “ballot brokers” are involved. Some voters report being pressured by campaign groups, nonprofit organizations, or labor unions to hand over their ballots, even when they are not interested in voting. Paid operatives, often working for the Democratic Party, may exert undue influence on vulnerable communities. The involvement of partisan individuals can compromise the secrecy and autonomy of every registered voter’s ballot.
It is surprising that California, the world’s fourth-largest economy and the birthplace of the internet, still struggles to improve its voting process. Californians again found themselves waiting for results, just as they did in the last election cycle. This slow pace has fueled claims of fraud and suspicions that the voting process is rigged. Republican voters, in particular, are frustrated and suspect that the state deliberately takes days or even weeks to fully tally the results in primary elections.
During the June 2nd primary election, many engaged voters eagerly awaited the results of key races, including those for governor and Los Angeles mayor. As delays occurred, Republicans in California—and President Trump in Washington—began spreading conspiracy theories, alleging that Democrats were trying to block Republican candidates from advancing to the general election. These accusations intensified when Republican candidates in the gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral races initially led but lose ground as more votes were counted after polls close.
President Trump frequently alleges electoral fraud in Democratic-leaning states. This time, he also announced investigations. He posted on social media, “Why the vote counting DELAY???”
Democratic officials denied allegations of electoral fraud, asserting their commitment to a process that ensures all eligible citizens could vote. Republican representatives contended that widespread ballot distribution effectively compels voters to support Democratic candidates. They also noted that late ballots counted after election day usually favor Democratic candidates.
State Democratic leaders argued that voter accessibility and electoral integrity reinforce each other. They maintain that participatory democracy is paramount and have implemented a voting system that accepts late-arriving, postmarked ballots and allows ballot collection for voters unable to deliver them in person. The latter is a source of concern, as many individuals or operatives show up at voters’ homes, demanding ballots if their records show they have not yet voted.
Critic argue, late-counted ballots flip elections for Democrats—just look at June 2nd. Republican leads evaporate as soon as the late votes pour in. With Democrats at 45% of the electorate and Republicans trailing at 25%, the math is brutal: big turnout means easy wins for establishment Democrats. Outsiders? No shot. The rot runs deep—cynicism reigns, civic engagement is an afterthought, and party operatives hound voters at every turn.
If the Democratic machine isn’t behind you, you’re out. Good candidates run, but they get steamrolled. From city hall to Congress, the system protects its own. Democracy’s a casualty—same faces, same results, every time. The game is rigged, and everyone knows it.
Thank you for reading.
Chamba Sanchez Lecturer of Politics at various community colleges throughout greater Los Angeles
•June 17, 2026
