Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized California’s vote-counting process late Wednesday, contrasting it with Florida’s election system as ballots were still being tallied in Los Angeles’ mayoral race days after Election Day.

“Florida processes more than 10 million votes in a matter of hours. California takes days, or sometimes even weeks, to count the votes,” DeSantis wrote on X.

“It’s pathetic, and it’s corrosive to our civic culture.”

The post came as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was slightly leading the city’s nonpartisan mayoral primary but had not cleared the 50% threshold needed to avoid a November runoff.

Her likely opponent remained unsettled, with Spencer Pratt and Councilmember Nithya Raman competing for the second runoff spot as additional ballots remained outstanding.

California’s slower count is partly tied to its vote-by-mail rules: ballots postmarked by Election Day can still be counted if received within seven days, and results are not final until the canvass is completed.

The delay has renewed criticism from Republicans who argue California’s system undermines public confidence, especially when high-profile races remain unresolved well after polls close.