A Flood of Ballots': California Elections Turned Upside Down After Disturbing Video Leaks
Los Angeles, California - June 4, 2026
Republicans have surged in the race for California governor and the Los Angeles mayoral contest while overperforming across much of the state. However, the final results remain uncertain as election officials continue processing a large volume of mail ballots that are expected to arrive over the coming days and weeks.
NBC News chief data analyst Steve Kornacki warned viewers that the late-arriving mail ballots, which often lean heavily Democratic, could significantly alter current leads.
“Remember, the final piece of the puzzle that we won’t know tonight, right, is the late arriving vote by mail,” Kornacki said. “And we’re talking about probably like a third of the vote in Los Angeles. We’re probably not going to be getting until tomorrow and maybe days to come after tomorrow.”
Kornacki noted that this late mail vote is “going to be significantly more Democratic friendly than all of the other vote, meaning that would be good news for Bass” in the Los Angeles mayoral race and for other Democratic candidates trailing on Election Night.
New Lawsuit Targets California’s Voter Roll Maintenance
Separately, a lawsuit filed against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber alleges that the state has failed to remove hundreds of thousands of inactive voter registrations from its rolls in violation of federal law. Plaintiffs claim that approximately 873,092 inactive registrations remain on the books despite requirements under the National Voter Registration Act.
The complaint further alleges that more than 151,000 registrations stayed active even after voters failed to participate in four consecutive federal election cycles and did not respond to address verification notices. California currently maintains over 23 million registered voters, the largest system in the nation.
Federal law requires states to clean voter rolls by removing registrations that have been inactive through multiple election cycles. The lawsuit argues that California has not properly enforced these standards, creating opportunities for error, duplication, and potential fraud.
In 2019, Judicial Watch reached a settlement with California and Los Angeles County that resulted in the removal of more than 1.2 million inactive names. Plaintiffs contend that problems have persisted since then. Court filings note that 20 California counties removed 50 or fewer inactive registrations in a recent period, even as census data showed substantial out-migration from the state.
Republican Momentum Meets Structural Challenges
The combination of extended ballot counting and questions over voter roll accuracy has added tension to an election season already marked by Republican gains in traditionally Democratic strongholds. California officials maintain that multiple safeguards protect the integrity of the voting process.
Supporters of the lawsuit argue that accurate voter rolls are fundamental to public confidence in elections. The case comes as Republicans celebrate stronger-than-expected showings but face the reality that a large share of remaining ballots historically favors Democratic candidates.
The outcome of both the statewide and Los Angeles races may not be known for days or weeks as officials continue processing late mail ballots under intense scrutiny.
BREAKING: NEW Leader Declared in California After Ballots Counted Overnight
Republican Incumbent Josh Hoover Leads in California’s 7th Assembly District Primary
Republican incumbent Josh Hoover holds a lead in the primary election for California’s 7th Assembly District, according to results released by the California Secretary of State’s office. With ballots counted as of Wednesday afternoon, Hoover has received approximately 54 percent of the vote, while Democratic candidate Amy Slavensky has received about 44 percent.
The two candidates are expected to advance to the November general election. Hoover, who first won the seat in 2022 when it shifted from Democratic to Republican control, hosts the political podcast “Point of Order” and serves as a member of the bipartisan California Problem Solvers Caucus. He previously worked as chief of staff to former Assemblymember Kevin Kiley and resides in Folsom.
Slavensky, who came out of retirement to serve as interim deputy superintendent for the San Juan Unified School District, previously retired in 2021 as superintendent of the Amador County Unified School District.
Los Angeles Mayoral Race Update
In the Los Angeles mayoral primary, incumbent Democrat Karen Bass received 35 percent of the vote with roughly 62 percent of ballots counted as of Wednesday night. Independent candidate Spencer Pratt received approximately 29.9 percent, and Democratic City Council member Nithya Raman received 22.8 percent.
Bass did not reach the 51 percent threshold required to win outright, setting up a likely runoff in November between Bass and Pratt. No Republican has won the Los Angeles mayoral race in more than three decades. Pratt’s performance reflects voter dissatisfaction in portions of the city amid ongoing challenges with public safety and governance.
California election officials have indicated that counting all ballots in several closely watched races could take additional time, with some Democratic leaders stating it may require weeks to finalize results statewide.
Election Complaint in Los Angeles Race
Pratt filed a formal complaint Tuesday alleging that Mayor Bass violated California election law by engaging in electioneering within 100 feet of a ballot drop box. The complaint is based on a campaign video posted by Bass in which she appears to encourage voting while standing near a ballot box.
Under California law, candidates and campaign workers are prohibited from electioneering within 100 feet of a ballot drop box. Pratt stated in a social media post that the video demonstrates a disregard for election rules.
“Electioneering within 100 feet of a ballot box is AGAINST THE LAW. Soliciting votes at a ballot box is AGAINST THE LAW,” Pratt wrote.
A spokesperson for Bass rejected the allegations, stating that the video was filmed in multiple locations and complied with election laws. One segment was recorded more than 200 feet from the ballot box, while another was filmed closer without campaign signs present, according to the spokesperson.
Pratt’s attorney has requested an investigation into the matter and submitted a similar complaint to state authorities. City and state officials have not yet announced whether they will open a formal review.
The results in both the Assembly District 7 race and the Los Angeles mayoral contest remain subject to additional ballot counting and potential challenges.
Violated Federal Law' - Shock Video Upends Los Angeles Mayoral Race as Ballots In The Race Are Still Being Counted
Los Angeles, California - June 5, 2026
Independent candidate Spencer Pratt has filed a formal election complaint against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, alleging she violated California election laws by campaigning too close to a ballot drop box. Pratt, the reality television personality challenging Bass in the mayoral race, posted the complaint on X and included evidence from a campaign video that appears to show the mayor encouraging voters while standing near a ballot box.
Pratt stated that Bass violated laws prohibiting electioneering within 100 feet of voting locations. “Karen Bass just violated election law here,” he wrote. “She is so accustomed to breaking the law with no accountability, she even filmed herself doing it. Well, those days are over. We just filed a formal complaint for illegally gaming the election. We must protect our democracy.”
California Law Prohibits Electioneering Near Ballot Boxes
Under California law, candidates and campaign workers are barred from electioneering or soliciting votes within 100 feet of a ballot drop box. Pratt’s complaint argues that the video demonstrates a clear violation and reflects what he described as a “reckless disregard for the rule of law and our democratic process.”
Pratt further accused Bass of operating under a different standard than ordinary citizens. “A person in a position of power such as Bass should be especially respectful of our democratic laws, but this is just emblematic of Karen’s mafia-like regime. It’s ‘rules for thee, but not for me,’” he said.
Pratt’s attorney, Peter McNulty, submitted the formal complaint requesting an official investigation into what he called “illegal electioneering.” McNulty warned that such activity near voters “has the potential to intimidate and improperly influence voters,” which is precisely why the restrictions exist. A similar complaint was also sent to state authorities.
Bass Campaign Denies Any Violation
A spokesperson for Mayor Bass quickly rejected the allegations. Alex Stack told Fox News Digital that the complaint is “blatantly false” and claimed the video was filmed in two locations, one more than 200 feet from the ballot box where signs were present and another location next to the box where no signs appeared. Stack dismissed Pratt’s effort, stating, “Spencer is just mad that his supporters are AI cartoons, and we have real Angelenos. We follow the rules.”
Pratt’s campaign responded by linking the complaint to broader criticisms of Bass’s leadership. The campaign statement accused the mayor of ignoring “terrified mothers in LA who are being victimized by rampant criminality” while allegedly cheating in the election. “She’s terrified of our insurgent campaign, and she’s getting more and more desperate. We need to get this lawbreaker out of office,” the statement said.
Race Remains Tight as Ballots Continue to Be Counted
The complaint adds significant tension to an already contentious mayoral race. Ballots are still being counted, and the dispute raises questions about election integrity and accountability for sitting officials. Pratt has vowed to pursue the matter fully, stating that his team will “uphold the rule of law and our democratic norms.”
City and state officials have not yet announced whether they will open a formal investigation. The filing comes as voters weigh Bass’s record on crime and governance against Pratt’s outsider challenge. The outcome could influence perceptions of fairness in one of the nation’s largest cities as results continue to come in.
