Spencer Pratt’s Mayoral Bid Slows as Late Ballots Favor Nithya Raman

After Election Day, Los Angeles County began counting roughly 140,000 late and provisional ballots, about 42.7% of which came from the city itself. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass remains in first place with 34.98% of the vote and a total of 215,868 votes. Spencer Pratt stays in second place with 174,260 votes, while City Councilmember Nithya Raman has risen to third with 153,588 votes.

In the latest batch, Raman received 23,115 votes compared with Pratt’s 10,711, narrowing the gap between them to 20,672 votes. Officials estimate another 550,000‑600,000 ballots remain to be counted, which could further shift the race. Late‑counted ballots in California historically skew younger, more urban and more progressive. No evidence of fraud has been found, but the prolonged count highlights concerns about the state’s election process and its impact on voter confidence.

The outcome will determine whether Pratt, whose campaign emphasizes public safety, homelessness and basic city services, secures a spot in the runoff, or if Raman’s surge signals a shift toward more progressive candidates in Los Angeles.