Marching Ahead: Raman’s Incremental Gains in a Prolonged Ballot Count

The Los Angeles mayoral race remains a nail‑biter, with incumbent Karen Bass already secured for the November runoff. The contest for the second spot, however, is still hung by a hair, as spokesperson data show Nithya Raman’s vote total edging closer to reality‑TV star Spencer Pratt.

As of June 5, 2026, only 64 percent of the ballots statewide had been processed; Los Angeles County has reported 1.3 million ballots counted and approximately 700,000 ballots still pending. The majority of these remaining ballots are mail‑in and provisional votes, which tend to lean Democratic, potentially providing a boost for Raman.

Raman began the count with roughly 23 percent of the vote, trailing Pratt’s 29 percent. The gap closed as more late ballots entered the system— a trend that has shown in preliminary precinct data, where the increased late‑arrival votes favored the Democratic side. While Pratt remains in second place on Election Day, Raman’s incremental gains are raising her runway to the November showdown.

California’s top‑two primary system means that the two highest‑scoring candidates, regardless of party, move forward. The state’s reliance on mail‑in voting and seven‑day acceptance windows contributes to a prolonged counting period. Officials emphasize that the extended timeline ensures accuracy and voter access, but it also opens the door for late‑arrival votes to swing election outcomes.

The delayed tally has drawn criticism from President Donald Trump, who accused Democrats of “cheating” and threatened federal investigations— claims that have been dismissed by California’s Secretary of State and the governor’s office. Governor Gavin Newsom’s press team underscored that the state’s system is designed to count every valid ballot and that accusations of fraud are baseless.

Observers note that the remaining 700,000 ballots could have a significant impact on both the mayoral and gubernatorial contests. In the governor’s race, Republican Steve Hilton currently leads with about 27 percent, up close to Democrat Xavier Becerra’s 26 percent, while the top‑two format will allow any two candidates to advance.

As the count continues, the electoral map of Los Angeles continues to show the city’s socioeconomic fault lines: Bass dominates Black, Latino, and older white Democratic enclaves; Pratt appeals best to affluent Pacific Palisades residents and pockets of conservative voters; Raman’s strength lies in progressive, rent‑affordable neighborhoods and college‑proximate precincts.

Ultimately, the pace of the ballot count, the demographic lean of late‑arriving votes, and California’s procedural rules will decide whether Raman can overtake Pratt and secure the coveted second spot in the November runoff. For now, the city watches closely as the final pieces of the electoral puzzle enter the tally machine.