Republican candidate Spencer Pratt fell from second place to third in Los Angeles’s mayoral primary after late mail-in ballots were counted, eliminating him from the November runoff.

Pratt finished second in Tuesday’s primary election under California’s jungle primary system, which advances the top two vote-getters to the general election. However, subsequent mail-in ballot counts shifted the race dynamics significantly.

What Happened

Nithya Raman, a Democratic candidate, overtook Pratt after late mail-in ballots were tallied. Raman secured 39.9% of votes counted in that batch, while Pratt received 17.8%, dropping him behind both Raman and frontrunner Karen Bass.

The shift meant Pratt, who had positioned himself as a second-place finisher on primary night, would not advance to the November runoff. Bass, the leading vote-getter, automatically qualified for the general election.

The Results

In the late ballot count, Bass received 32.8% of votes, maintaining her position in the top two. The three-way race narrowed to a two-candidate general election between Bass and Raman.

California’s mail-in ballot system allows election officials to count ballots arriving in days following Election Day, provided they are postmarked by the primary date. This extended counting period is standard practice in the state.

What This Means

Pratt’s elimination from the general election marks a significant outcome in a closely watched Los Angeles mayoral contest. The race will now focus on Bass and Raman as the two finalists heading into November.