upper waypoint

California’s Slow Count and What the Results Mean So Far

The votes are still being counted, but trends are already emerging in congressional contests, the governor's race and Los Angeles mayor's race.
Election workers sort ballots at Contra Costa County's election operations facility on May 27, 2026 in Martinez, California.  (Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images)

Why does it take so long to count votes in California, and what do the results tell us so far? Marisa, Scott and Guy make sense of the primary election with Melanie Mason, Politico’s California Bureau Chief and co-author of the California Playbook. They discuss President Trump’s election fraud allegations, early returns in the governor’s race, the first post-Proposition 50 redistricting maps in action and the Los Angeles mayor’s race.

Track the latest election results here.

Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox.

lower waypoint
next waypoint
Player sponsored by