California accepts ballots one week

California does not keep polls open for a week. It counts certain mailed ballots for a week after Election Day if they were postmarked on or before Election Day and arrive on time at county election offices. The rule is set out in California election guidance and reflected in the state’s current June 2026 primary timetable. Social media posts on June 3 described the practice as proof California cannot know results on election night, but the state says late-arriving mailed ballots are one of several categories counted during the official canvass. ### Does California really accept ballots for a week after polls close? California Secretary of State guidance says vote-by-mail ballots returned through the mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the county elections office no later than seven days after Election Day. For the June 2, 2026 primary, that means a mailed ballot can arrive by June 10 and still be counted if it was timely postmarked. (sos.ca.gov) California draws a distinction between mailed ballots and ballots returned in person. Ballots dropped off at a polling place, vote center, county elections office or official drop box must be received by the close of polls at 8 p.m. on Election Day, according to the secretary of state’s vote-by-mail guidance. ### Why are results still changing after election night? (sos.ca.gov) California Secretary of State election guidance says the first results reported on election night typically include ballots received and processed before Election Day, along with ballots cast in person. The state also says the complete tally is never finished on election night because vote-by-mail ballots that arrive later, provisional ballots and some same-day registration ballots still must be reviewed and counted during the canvass. (elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov) State results-page FAQs for the June 2, 2026 primary say counties may take up to 30 days to verify voter records and determine whether ballots were cast by eligible voters. Counties generally must finish counting and release vote counts for ballots by the 13th day after the election, June 15 in this cycle, though listed exceptions include some late-arriving mailed ballots and ballots needing signature cure or duplication. (sos.ca.gov) ### What checks does California say apply to those ballots? California’s official canvass page says county elections officials compare the signature on a vote-by-mail return envelope with the voter’s signature on file. If a signature is missing or does not match, state law requires county officials to contact the voter so the ballot can go through a verification or cure process. (dp.electionresults.sos.ca.gov) The secretary of state’s voter materials also advise people mailing ballots on Election Day to get a hand-stamped postmark from a postal employee, because a mailbox pickup after the final collection time may not be postmarked until the following day. That warning reflects the state’s requirement that the ballot be postmarked on time, not simply dropped in the mail on time. (sos.ca.gov) ### Is this a new rule? California election materials describe the seven-day receipt window as part of the state’s established vote-by-mail system, and the Elections Code section cited by the legislature reflects that mailed ballots can be counted after Election Day if they meet the postmark and receipt requirements. The secretary of state also links the rule directly to the current primary election calendar and voter guide. (elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov) ### What happens next in the current election? June 15, 2026 is the main county deadline to finish counting and release most ballot totals for the primary, according to the state results FAQ, with listed exceptions for some categories still under review. County officials must report final results to the secretary of state by July 3, and the secretary of state must certify the statewide results by July 10. (dp.electionresults.sos.ca.gov) (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)