Trump said the pace of California ballot counting proves a rigged election. Pants on Fire!
PolitiFact – Rulings and Stories — 2026-06-08 17:35:00 — www.politifact.com
Trump Falsely Claims California Ballot Counting Is Evidence of Election Cheating
During a contentious “Meet the Press” interview, President Donald Trump claimed that California’s ballot counting process was proof of a “rigged election.” When pressed by host Kristen Welker about the state’s ongoing ballot count days after the June 2 primary, Trump asserted, “Do you know why they’re doing that? Because they’re cheating on the election.” When asked for evidence, Trump replied, “All I have to do is look. And I listen. And I listen to people. And let’s see what happens.” He then called the show and network “crooked” before abruptly ending the interview.
Fact-Check: No Evidence of Cheating
California’s ballot counting procedures are governed by state law and apply to all voters, regardless of party. The state mails ballots to all active voters, and about 19% voted in person in 2024. Processing mail ballots requires verifying voter identities by matching signatures, which takes time. The Legislature recently shortened the main counting period, but counties still have up to 30 days to process some ballots, including provisional ones. Ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within a week are counted, and counties must report final results by July 3, with state certification by July 10.
Experts note that California’s slower count is due to its emphasis on access, security, and accuracy—not evidence of cheating. The state also requires a 1% manual tally for all jurisdictions as a security measure. While long vote counts can undermine voter confidence, experts stress that the pace is not proof of fraud.
Trump’s History of False Claims
Trump has repeatedly spread falsehoods about “rigged” elections, including in California. Despite his claims, there is no evidence that the ballot counting process indicates widespread cheating. When asked for proof, the White House referred back to Trump’s own comments, offering no substantiation.
Conclusion
Trump’s assertion that ongoing ballot counting in California means “they’re cheating on the election” is not supported by facts. The process follows state law and is designed to ensure every legitimate vote is counted accurately. Fact-checkers have rated Trump’s claim as “Pants on Fire,” underscoring the lack of evidence behind his repeated allegations of election rigging.