Overview
- Election-night returns showed Spencer Pratt in second place, but successive mail‑ballot updates shifted votes to Nithya Raman and by late counts she had moved into the runoff position behind incumbent Karen Bass.
- Latest tallies put Bass near 34% of the vote, Raman about 28.5%, and Pratt roughly 25.8% as officials continued processing remaining mail ballots that are accepted if postmarked by Election Day and arrive up to seven days later.
- The staggered counting process, which Los Angeles runs by processing mail ballots in the order received and verifying signatures, produced the late break that analysts say is consistent with a common 'red mirage' pattern where early returns favor Republicans.
- President Trump and Pratt allies publicly alleged fraud after the reversal and Pratt’s campaign has signaled it may seek audits or legal challenges, while the U.S. Attorney’s Office sent observers to the counting center and officials maintain the process follows state law.
- If the result holds, the November contest will pit Bass against a progressive challenger with different priorities than Pratt, changing campaign strategy and voter turnout dynamics and leaving observers focused on the remaining mail counts and final certification timeline.