More money and patience could help California’s vote count

July 2, 2026 3 AM PT

Share via Close extra sharing options

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Monday includes an additional $40 million aimed at speeding up California’s vote count and even if the sum is less than half the $90 million sought by reform-minded advocates, it’s something.

Mark Z. Barabak is a political columnist for the Los Angeles Times, focusing on California and the West. He has covered campaigns and elections in 49 of the 50 states, including 13 presidential contests and scores of mayoral, legislative, gubernatorial and congressional races. Follow him on Bluesky at markzbarabak.bsky.social and on X at markzbarabak.

Mark E. Potts is the senior editor for video at the Los Angeles Times. A native of Enid, Okla., Potts graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a master’s degree in broadcast journalism. He has created and edited video for DreamWorks, YouTube, Microsoft, Sony and BET.