White House File Photo
President Donald Trump alleged that Democrats were cheating through mail-in ballots in California’s June 2 primary elections, making the claim as state and local election officials continued counting ballots under the state’s regular post-election canvass.
Trump made the allegation in social media posts after several contests, including statewide and Los Angeles races, remained unresolved. He claimed mail ballots were being used improperly and suggested federal authorities were reviewing the matter.
No public evidence has been presented to substantiate the allegation. Federal authorities have not publicly confirmed such an investigation.
The continued count is part of California’s election process. State election guidance says vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by June 9 to be counted. Counties also continue processing provisional ballots, same-day registration ballots and ballots requiring signature verification or voter correction.
County election officials must complete final official results by July 2. The Secretary of State is scheduled to certify statewide results on July 10.
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber said after polls closed that ballot counting would continue after Election Day and that counties were responsible for verifying and tabulating eligible ballots.
Mail voting is widely used in California, where every active registered voter receives a ballot by mail. Election results reported on election night are unofficial and may change as additional eligible ballots are processed.
The allegation renewed Trump’s criticism of mail voting and California’s vote-counting timeline, which he has argued undermines confidence in election results. California election officials have said the timeline reflects legal requirements for counting valid ballots.
The results remain unofficial while counties complete the canvass required under California law. Trump has not presented public evidence to support his allegation, and neither state election officials nor federal law enforcement authorities have confirmed wrongdoing.
