Democratic Voters Hold Back Ballots, Threatening A Slower California Primary Count

Late returns by unsettled Democratic voters could delay official results, risking unexpected outcomes under the state’s top‑two primary system.

Overview

Many Democratic-leaning voters are delaying casting ballots because the party has not coalesced around a clear favorite in the crowded governor’s primary.
County election officials say they are prepared for a surge of ballots returned close to or on election day and urge use of official drop boxes, in-person voting and ballot-tracking tools.
Mail ballots require signature checks and must be postmarked by election day and arrive within seven days, a process that election officials say makes mailed returns slower to process and more vulnerable to USPS delays.
A new California Democratic Party survey shows signs of consolidation around Xavier Becerra, but uneven early-return rates across counties mean initial tallies could mislead voters about who is ahead.
State officials are investigating social-media posts encouraging voters to 'vote late' and warn that a late-count surge could prolong uncertainty and increase the chance that two Republicans advance under the top-two rule.