The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 8, 2026
It’s been a week since the California state primary, and election workers continue the methodical counting of mail-in ballots. In a now familiar pattern, after President Donald Trump complained of “big cheating” in the election count, the U.S. Department of Justice announced election fraud investigations on June 5th.
In the 2024 election, 13 million of 16 million ballots cast in California were by mail. The extra steps necessary for processing mail-in ballots include sorting the envelopes, opening them and checking voter eligibility, then opening and scanning the ballots. Those steps take time, resulting in a slower tabulation process than in-person voting.
See a short video of the Los Angeles County Ballot Processing Center
In a letter to election workers May 4th, Governor Gavin Newsom wrote, “… we must do all that we can to tabulate votes quickly and accurately. Time is of the essence in preventing election lies from taking hold,” UNQUOTE.
In a June 4th social media post, President Trump predictably accused Democrats of election fraud, without evidence. “They are trying to STEAL THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA PRIMARY, AND THE MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES, PRIMARY, AWAY FROM TWO GREAT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES,” he said.
The next day, Assistant U.S. Attorney for Central California Bill Essayli told reporters he was opening multiple voter fraud investigations and would QUOTE, “prosecute any violations of federal election law to the fullest extent.”
We’ve linked to more local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
CalMatters – Live California election results
California Secretary of State – California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Reminds Californians What to Expect During the Vote Count Process
California Secretary of State – Vote by Mail (Absentee) Ballot Use 1962-2024
Truth Social – June 4 Post by President Donald Trump Accusing Democrats of Voter Fraud
The Guardian – Trump claims without proof Democrats are ‘trying to steal’ California primaries
The New Republic – DOJ Investigates California for “Voter Fraud” in Middle of Election
GV Wire – Letter from Gov. Gavin Newsom to Election Officials
BBC – Here’s why counting votes in California is taking so long
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – In State of the Union Speech, Trump Pushes ‘SAVE America Act’, Voter ID, Proof of Citizenship and Ending Mail-In Ballots; Repeats Debunked Noncitizen Voting Claims
American Democracy Minute – Trump DOJ Says It Will Monitor Elections Nov. 4th in Five California Counties. Many Fear It’s a Voter Intimidation Tactic.
Groups Taking Action:
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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