He promised to leave town if he lost the mayor race, but now he is dropping in the count and crying foul.
Spencer Pratt fell to third place with 26.7 percent of the vote behind Nithya Raman as late mail-in ballots were counted in Los Angeles.
When we vote, we trust our voices will be heard. But when a race gets tight, the urge to point fingers can be hard to resist.
What Happened
TV star Spencer Pratt is running to be the next mayor of Los Angeles. Last week, he was in second place. He felt sure he would make the final vote in November.
Now, city council member Nithya Raman has passed him. She has 27.1 percent of the vote. Pratt has dropped to third place with 26.7 percent.
Pratt once said he would leave the city if he did not win. Now, he is posting on social media to suggest the vote count is wrong.
What the evidence shows
- Karen Bass is in first place and has locked down her spot for November.
- Raman has 27.1 percent of the votes.
- Pratt has 26.7 percent of the votes.
- Elections workers can count mail-in ballots up to seven days after voting day.
- Voter turnout was low, with only 32 percent of voters taking part.
Get help from someone local. Text HELP to (805) 719-7630 and we'll set up a time to talk that works for you.
The Bigger Question
Why is it so hard to wait for the final count? In a massive city, counting votes takes time. When candidates claim the system is rigged without proof, it hurts public trust.
The Other Side
Pratt points to a shift of 43,000 votes and says the math does not add up. He suggests the votes came from homeless residents in a strange way.
This argument is very weak because counting mail-in ballots for days after election day is normal and legal.
What Happens Now
The county will keep counting votes until July 6. The top two candidates will move on to the November vote. Regular people in the city must wait for the final results.
What We Still Don't Know
- Will Spencer Pratt really leave Los Angeles if he loses the race?
- How many mail-in ballots are still left to count?
- Will Pratt try to challenge the final vote count in court?