The story so far
written Nov 1What is happening
The leadership of the nation's second-largest city depends on a November 3 runoff election between incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman 1. A Berkeley IGS/L.A. Times poll released by November 1 shows the candidates tied in a dead heat 1. One-fifth of the electorate remains undecided 48 hours before polls open 1.
Election officials are proceeding under standard statutory timelines following a court victory for the county 3. U.S. District Judge David O. Carter denied a U.S. Department of Justice request on October 28 to set aside certain ballots 3. The court ruled the federal challenge lacked foundation and would likely violate voter protections 3.
What to watch
The Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters certifying the results would confirm the official winner. A victory statement or concession from either candidate would signal the conclusion of the tally. The resolution of any further legal challenges by the courts would settle the validity of the vote count.
The winner is scheduled to be sworn into office following the certification of the results. The inauguration of the 43rd mayor of Los Angeles would mark the start of the new term.
Read the full brief · how we got here
How we got here
The mayoral contest began in February when Raman entered the race to challenge Bass 1. The challenge followed public criticism of the incumbent's handling of the Palisades fire 1.
Registrar-Recorder Dean C. Logan confirmed the election would move forward as planned after the federal court rejected the Department of Justice's emergency request to sequester ballots 3. Supporters of the two candidates remain divided over whether to maintain the current administration's direction or shift city policy 2.
References · 3
- 1latimes.com — L.A. to decide whether to stay the course with Mayor Bass or vote for change with Raman
- 2latimes.com — Lopez: No undecideds here: Why Bass backers are on board, and Raman fans are fired up
- 3lacounty.gov — Federal Court Denies DOJ Request to Set Aside Ballots Ahead of November 3 General Election
What would close this
0 of 4 metTimeline
1newest firstWhen we started following: Bass and Raman enter final days of mayoral race in dead heat ahead of November 3 runoff
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman are tied in polling as the Los Angeles mayoral campaign enters its final 48 hours 1. A Berkeley IGS/L.A. Times poll released by November 1 shows one-fifth of voters remain undecided before the November 3 runoff election 1. The contest follows a February entry by Raman, who challenged Bass after the incumbent faced criticism regarding the Palisades fire 1.
In legal developments, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter denied an emergency request by the U.S. Department of Justice on October 28 to set aside ballots cast by county residents 3. The Department of Justice had alleged voter ineligibility, but the court ruled the request lacked foundation and would likely violate federal protections for registered voters 3. Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Dean C. Logan stated the ruling allows the election to proceed under established statutory timelines 3.