LOS ANGELES — California's lengthy ballot-counting process has once again become the center of political debate as progressive Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman moved ahead of former reality television star Spencer Pratt in the race for a spot in the city's mayoral runoff election.
Days after polls closed in California's primary election, updated vote totals showed Raman overtaking Pratt for second place behind incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. The shift follows the continued counting of mail-in and provisional ballots, which election officials say is a routine part of California's vote-tabulation process.
The turnaround has drawn criticism from Republican leaders and supporters, who argue that California's slow reporting of results undermines public confidence in elections. President Donald Trump and several conservative figures have questioned the pace of the count, alleging irregularities without providing evidence. Election officials and voting experts have rejected those claims, emphasizing that the state's procedures are designed to maximize accuracy and voter participation.
California mails ballots to all registered voters and accepts ballots postmarked by Election Day if they arrive within a specified period afterward. Officials also conduct signature verification and allow voters time to correct certain ballot issues, factors that contribute to a longer counting process compared with many other states.
Raman's rise in the tally reflects a pattern often seen in California elections, where later-counted ballots can alter standings in close contests. Since election night, she has steadily gained ground with each update released by Los Angeles election officials.
The contest remains highly competitive, and election authorities continue to process thousands of outstanding ballots. The candidate who secures second place will advance to the November runoff against Bass, setting up a high-profile showdown in one of the nation's largest cities.
As the count continues, the debate over California's election procedures is likely to remain a major political issue, especially as close races across the state draw national attention.
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