Late ballot drop tightens LA mayoral race as Raman closes in on Pratt

A fresh batch of ballots narrows Spencer Pratt's lead over Nithya Raman in the Los Angeles mayoral primary to about 7,500 votes, with Raman gaining 23,514 to Pratt's 10,336 as roughly 78% of ballots are counted. Mayor Karen Bass remains ahead at 34.8%. Analysts say later-counted ballots skew younger and more progressive, making a Raman runoff likely, though Pratt supporters may face a choice between Bass and Raman in November.