LOS ANGELES — California election officials were nearing completion of ballot counting for the June 2, 2026, primary election as of July 2, 2026. The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the elections process in Los Angeles County. California law requires counties to complete ballot counting by the Thursday following the primary election.

Preliminary figures from the California secretary of state's office indicated that voter turnout in the June 2026 primary was 40.8%. This figure was higher than participation in the two preceding primary elections but lower than several primaries from 2000 onward. In the 1970s, California primary voter turnout sometimes exceeded 70%.

Mindy Romero, director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy, stated, "We haven't seen significant jumps in turnout." She also noted, "We still have very significant disparity in turnout with race and ethnicity." According to the Center for Inclusive Democracy, wide gaps persist in voter participation among younger voters and voters of color in California. The organization also indicated that older, white, and more affluent homeowners generally remain the state's most consistent voters.

A 2025 study by the Public Policy Institute of California concluded that the Voter's Choice Act did not consistently improve or worsen turnout for any racial or ethnic group. The Public Policy Institute of California stated in the 2025 study, "The effects of the (act) have generally fallen short of the reform's original goal of a larger and more representative electorate." Romero commented, "You can't definitely, clearly say the (act) had an overall, positive impact on turnout."

That 2025 study also found that whites comprise 36% of California's adult population but account for 50% of the state's likely voters. Latinos make up 38% of California's adult population but 29% of likely voters. Black residents represent 5% of California's adult population and 4% of likely voters, according to the study. Separately, a 2024 report by the California Voter Foundation indicated that the percentage of California ballots counted within two days of Election Day decreased from 81% in 2004 to 66% in 2024.

Voter turnout for the 2024 presidential election in California was 71%, and for the 2022 midterm election, it was 51%. The California state budget includes $29 million aimed at speeding up ballot counting. California allows mail-in ballots to arrive at election offices up to seven days after Election Day if postmarked by Election Day. Residents can register to vote on Election Day if they missed the deadline or needed to update their registration. Election officials count same-day registration ballots after verifying the voter's registration and require mail-ballot envelopes to match the signature on file. Officials must also provide an opportunity for voters with non-matching signatures to prove their identity for their ballot to be counted.