What you should know about how and when California counts ballots

SACRAMENTO — The task facing elections officials in California’s 58 counties is daunting: Collect, verify and count the votes on as many as 22 million ballots; don’t start counting until the polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday; and quench the thirst of the public for final results as soon as possible.

While the long wait for election results is unfamiliar in other parts of the country, it’s common practice in the Golden State. For most of the last decade, the wait for final results has lasted for close to a month as new election laws have expanded voter access and the number of ballots cast has increased.

It may be frustrating for those waiting to declare victory, but it’s how California elections have been designed to work.

California has more voters than any state

California has 22 million registered voters — not only more voters than any other state but more voters than there are residents in 48 states.

Simply put, more voters mean more ballots cast and more time needed to tally the votes.

And […]

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