Elon Musk Praises India’s Efficient Vote Counting, Criticizes California’s Delayed Results

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has commended India’s electoral system for its efficiency in counting votes, while taking a jab at California’s prolonged process. Musk’s remarks came in response to an X post highlighting India’s ability to count 640 million votes in a single day, a stark contrast to California’s weeks-long counting timeline.

Musk Acknowledges India’s Electoral Efficiency

Musk responded to the post, which included the caption, “Meanwhile in India, where cheating isn’t the primary goal of their elections,” with a pointed comment: “India counted 640 million votes in 1 day. California is still counting votes.” This sharp comparison underscores the disparity in vote-counting speeds between the two regions, with Musk drawing attention to California’s ongoing delays even 18 days after the election.

California’s Vote-Counting Woes

California, home to nearly 39 million residents, is known for its sluggish vote-counting process. Despite having around 16 million voters in the recent election held on November 5, the state has yet to process over 300,000 ballots, according to reports from the Los Angeles Times. Statewide, more than 570,000 ballots remain uncounted.

The delays are largely attributed to California’s heavy reliance on mail-in voting. Unlike in-person voting, mail-in ballots require individual validation, significantly slowing the process. This issue has plagued California for years, fueled by its large population and high volume of mail-in votes.

Growing Frustration Over Delays

The prolonged counting in California has sparked widespread frustration, particularly as the state plays a pivotal role in determining national election outcomes. While the efficiency of India’s electoral process has garnered international praise, California’s challenges continue to highlight the complexities of the American voting system.

As conversations around electoral efficiency gain momentum, Musk’s remarks have reignited debates about the need for streamlined processes to ensure quicker results, especially in a state as influential as California.