Rep. Randy Fine alleges Californians dumpster‑diving for ballots

Republican congressman Randy Fine (R‑FL) claimed during a Newsmax interview that people in California were "dumpster diving for ballots" as votes continued after the Los Angeles mayoral primary. The remark came after the Republican mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt fell to third place behind incumbent Karen Bass and councilmember Nithya Raman.

Fact‑checkers and online commentators quickly dismissed the allegation as baseless, noting there is no evidence of such fraud. University of Washington rumors expert Kate Starbird called the claim "absurd," while journalists and technologists mocked it on social media. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office posted a denial graphic responding to the accusation.