Election Results Explained

Before we certify an election, we must make sure every eligible vote is counted. For mail ballot envelopes returned with a missing or non-matching signature, voters are mailed a letter and given the opportunity to verify and provide their signature so their ballot can be counted. Once “cured” the ballot can be removed from the envelope and processed into the count. Voters have until April 2 to cure these situations.

The remaining estimated 3,750 unprocessed ballots are subject to this cure period. All results are unofficial until completion of the official canvass of the election on or before April 4.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS REPORTING:

• The first set of unofficial election night results will appear shortly after 8 p.m., March 5.  They will include mail ballots received before Election Day, and vote center ballots from early voting between February 24 - March 4. They typically include votes for qualified write-in candidates as well.
• After the first unofficial report, election night updates will include vote center ballots cast on Election Day only. There will be no more updates to mail ballots on election night.
• Once the vote centers close at 8 p.m. on election night, vote center ballots must be driven in from over 200 vote centers across San Diego County.
• Periodic election night result updates will continue throughout the night until all vote center ballots are reported. It may take the Registrar's office until 1 a.m. or later to tabulate all vote center ballots for the final unofficial election night results.
• The next unofficial results update will be posted on the following schedule:
  • By 5 p.m., Thursday, March 7 through Saturday, March 9.
  • By 5 p.m., Monday, March 11 and Friday, March 15.
  • Additional updates may occur at the discretion of the Registrar of Voters.
• Candidates whose names appear on the ballot are all in capital letters, Candidates who qualified to be write-ins are shown in the results in mixed case, and their bars are gray instead of in color.
• After election night, voter turnout percentage will increase as timely and validly cast ballots, including mail and provisional ballots, are added into the count.
• Mail ballots postmarked on Election Day and received by the Registrar’s office by March 12 will be considered timely cast.
• Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) for updates on election results reporting.