Three weeks after Election Day, three U.S. House races remain unresolved, leaving voters and candidates alike waiting for final outcomes in California’s 13th and 45th districts, as well as Iowa’s 1st district. While Republicans have already secured control of the House, their majority is still a work in progress, with the exact numbers hanging on the results of these tight contests. For a party preparing to take the reins, the drawn-out process highlights just how messy and inefficient the electoral system has become in certain states.
In California’s 13th district, Republican Rep. John Duarte holds a razor-thin lead of just 204 votes over his Democratic challenger. With less than 3% of the vote still left to count, it’s a near replay of 2022 when Duarte narrowly edged out the same opponent in a similarly dramatic finish. Back then, the winner wasn’t announced until December, leaving constituents and the nation waiting in suspense for weeks. California’s love affair with drawn-out vote counts seems to be alive and well, ensuring that even the simplest races come with a side of chaos.
Over in California’s 45th district, Democrat Derek Tran has a slim 545-vote edge over Republican Rep. Michelle Steel. With 99% of the vote already tallied, this race has proven to be another nail-biter. It’s worth noting that California, a state notorious for slow counting and questionable voting practices, is managing to keep up its reputation. One would think that a state claiming to be at the forefront of innovation could figure out how to count votes in a timely manner, but alas, here we are.
Meanwhile, in Iowa’s 1st district, Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is fighting to maintain her 800-vote lead over her Democratic rival as a recount is underway. Miller-Meeks has been vocal in her frustration, calling the recount request a waste of taxpayer dollars. While Decision Desk HQ has declared her the winner, the Associated Press is still holding out, because apparently, indecision is the hallmark of modern election reporting. If the current numbers hold, the GOP would claim 221 seats, while the Democrats would settle for 214—a slim majority, but a majority nonetheless.
Republicans are also bracing for special elections to fill seats vacated by Reps. Elise Stefanik and Mike Waltz, who are joining Donald Trump’s new administration, and former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has resigned. These races will add yet another layer of complexity to a political landscape that already feels like it’s running on fumes. As the vote counting drags on, one thing is clear: the American electoral system could use a serious dose of efficiency, transparency, and perhaps a little less drama.
