California Is Giving Election Deniers a Ready Excuse California’s slow ballot tabulation process, exemplified by the gubernatorial primary where only 58 percent of ballots were counted by the morning after, provides an easy excuse for election deniers. The article argues that the blame should be placed on state politicians, including Governor Gavin Newsom and the California State Assembly, rather than on election workers.

• California’s ballot tabulation is notably slow.
• This slowness provides ammunition for election deniers.
• Governor Gavin Newsom and the California State Assembly are blamed for the slow tabulation, not election workers.
• As an example, only 58 percent of ballots were tabulated by the morning after the statewide primary.