House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Monday that California's primary election process "stinks to high heaven," echoing concerns from President Trump and other Republicans about the integrity of the state's voting system.
The comments came after mail-in ballots counted over the weekend shifted vote totals in several California congressional races. Republican candidates Spencer Pratt and Steve Hilton both lost ground as late-arriving votes were tabulated, with Democrat Tom Steyer gaining on Hilton for second place in one district.
"They are counting votes weeks after the election," Johnson said at the Capitol. "I'm not saying it's rigged. I'm saying it stinks to high heaven, and everybody knows that."
What the Right Is Saying
Johnson joined Trump in raising questions about California's process, with the President calling the election "rigged" over the weekend and walking out of an NBC interview when pressed on the claim.
"Let's have votes on an election the day of the election. That's what many states are able to do. I think California is playing around with this," Johnson said Monday.
Republicans pointed to the timing of results changes as evidence of irregularities, noting that vote shifts occurred days after polls closed.
When asked what evidence exists to support fraud claims, Johnson acknowledged difficulty proving manipulation: "Some of these efforts are so diabolical and so far upstream that it's impossible to prove, but I think everybody knows instinctively something is wrong here."
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers and voting rights advocates pushed back against Johnson's comments, arguing they undermine public confidence in elections without evidence of wrongdoing.
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber's office noted that the state's vote-by-mail timeline is established under laws passed by the legislature and upheld by courts. The state counts ballots postmarked by Election Day if received within a week of the election.
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) wrote on social media: "Every election, Republicans claim fraud when they lose. Every time, there is no evidence. Mike Johnson should focus on governing instead of spreading lies."
The Democratic National Committee pointed to multiple independent audits confirming California's voting systems operate accurately.
What the Numbers Show
California has used mail-in ballots for all registered voters since 2020. In recent primaries, more than 65 percent of votes have been cast by mail.
The state permits counting of ballots received up to seven days after Election Day if postmarked by then. This timeline means final results often are not certified for a week or more.
California's top-two primary system places all party candidates on a single ballot, with the two highest vote-getters advancing regardless of party affiliation.
A 2023 Brennan Center audit found California's election equipment undergoes mandatory testing and certification, with paper trails allowing for audits of results.
The Bottom Line
Johnson stopped short of claiming outright fraud, instead describing his reaction as instinctive rather than evidence-based. His comments follow a pattern of Republican criticism of vote-by-mail systems that dates to the 2020 election.
California officials maintain their process is transparent and legally compliant. Democratic critics say the rhetoric itself damages democratic institutions regardless of whether fraud occurred.
The dispute highlights ongoing tension between Republicans favoring same-day voting and states like California with extended mail-in counting periods. What happens next may depend on whether final certified results match the provisional counts that prompted the criticism.