Los Angeles Mayoral Primary: Nithya Raman Overtakes Spencer Pratt Amid Election Fraud Claims

As of Monday, June 8, 2026, the Los Angeles mayoral primary remains a focal point of national political tension as vote tallies shift. Progressive candidate Nithya Raman has overtaken former reality television star Spencer Pratt for the second spot in the race, placing her on a path to join incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the upcoming runoff election. According to the Associated Press, 83% of the votes have been tallied, with Raman securing 27.1% of the vote compared to Pratt’s 26.7%.

How the Vote Count Shifted

The race underwent a significant change over the weekend as late-arriving mail-in and drop-off ballots were processed. While Spencer Pratt led the vote count when the first tranche of results was released on the night of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, the gap narrowed as additional ballots were counted. In California, the high volume of mail-in ballots often results in a slower tabulation process compared to other states. Because late-arriving mail-in ballots in Los Angeles have historically leaned toward Democratic candidates, Raman’s surge allowed her to move ahead of Pratt by Sunday, June 7.

Claims of Election Fraud

The change in rankings has prompted unsubstantiated allegations of election interference from several high-profile figures. Elon Musk, a billionaire and donor to Republican causes, used the social media platform X to suggest that the lack of mandatory voter ID in California facilitates large-scale fraud. However, California law requires first-time voters to provide proof of residency or official identification, and there is no evidence of systemic voter fraud impacting the results of the mayoral primary.

President Donald Trump also commented on the results via Truth Social, characterizing the shift in vote totals as “rigged” and questioning how Pratt could lose his initial lead. These claims mirror rhetoric used by the former president regarding the 2020 federal election. Pratt, who campaigned on a platform critical of Mayor Bass’s handling of wildfires, echoed similar concerns on X, highlighting the change in vote totals without providing evidence of irregular activity.

What Happens in the Runoff

The Associated Press has already projected that Mayor Karen Bass will advance to the general election. Under California’s open primary system, the top two candidates move forward regardless of party affiliation. While the race for the second spot has not been officially certified, the current trend favors Raman. The outcome of this primary marks a departure from expectations held by some conservative commentators who had previously projected a strong performance for Pratt, despite the city’s heavily Democratic electorate.

Key Takeaways

• Current Standing: With 83% of the vote counted, Nithya Raman holds 27.1% to Spencer Pratt’s 26.7%.
• The Process: California’s extended ballot processing period frequently results in shifts in vote totals days after Election Day.
• Official Status: While incumbent Mayor Karen Bass has secured a spot in the runoff, the second candidate has yet to be officially confirmed as tabulation continues.
• Election Integrity: Despite claims of fraud from figures including Elon Musk and Donald Trump, there is no verified evidence of systemic issues or fraud in the Los Angeles mayoral primary.

The final composition of the runoff will be determined once local election officials complete the certification of all remaining mail-in and provisional ballots. For now, the race highlights the ongoing divide between the realities of California’s ballot tabulation process and the claims of fraud circulating on social media platforms.