Golden State Today

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. recently reiterated what Californians should anticipate during the vote count process following Election Day. Secretary Weber emphasized the importance of taking the necessary time to ensure accuracy and protect voting rights, stating, “Doing it right takes precedence over doing it fast.”

In a press release, Secretary Weber highlighted the state's commitment to safeguarding voting rights by implementing measures such as same-day voter registration, provisional ballots, and the postmark-plus-seven days rule for mail-in ballots. She also outlined the timeline for the vote count process, noting that county election officials have up to 30 days to verify voter signatures, conduct post-election audits, and report results to the Secretary of State. The certification of results is expected to be completed by April 12, 2024.

Secretary Weber emphasized that the duration taken to process ballots is crucial in upholding voters' rights and ensuring the integrity of the election. She stated, “The time taken to process ballots ensures voters’ rights and the integrity of the election.”

Throughout the canvass period, election results will continue to evolve as various types of ballots, including vote-by-mail and provisional ballots, are processed. The frequency of result updates will vary depending on the size of each county and the specific procedures adopted by county elections offices.

County elections officials are required to submit their final results to the Secretary of State by April 5, with the certification of results scheduled for April 12, 2024. Californians seeking further information on the ballot counting process can visit the Secretary of State's website for additional details.