With more than two‑thirds of the ballot cast, councilmember Nithya Raman has pulled ahead of Mayor Karen Bass, but the contest remains too close to call.
Key points
- Raman leads Bass by about 26,000 votes with 67 % of ballots counted, but the race is still officially undecided.
- The final outcome will depend on the remaining 33 % of votes, which could shift the margin either way.
- California’s 2026 midterms also saw Democrat Xavier Becerra projected as governor and Proposition 3 approved, reflecting broader statewide trends.
ABC7’s live election tracker reported that, as of 12:36 AM GMT on November 5, 2026, Raman holds 405,193 votes while Bass trails with 379,069, representing about 67 % of the expected turnout in the Los Angeles mayoral race.
The margin, roughly 26,000 votes, marks a widening of Raman’s lead compared with earlier updates that described the two candidates as dead‑heat. However, officials caution that the race is still too close to call until all precincts are reported.
Current vote totals and percentage counted
The mayoral contest is one of several high‑profile contests on California’s ballot. Democrat Xavier Becerra was projected to win the governor’s race over Republican Steve Hilton, and Proposition 3, which makes a temporary high‑income tax increase permanent, passed with 59 % approval.
Election officials continue to count the remaining 33 % of votes, a process that could take several days given the size of Los Angeles County. Both campaigns have urged supporters to stay patient as the final tally is compiled.
What the numbers mean for the race
Analysts note that the current figures keep the race within the range that could trigger a recount if the margin narrows after the remaining votes are tabulated, underscoring the importance of every precinct in this tightly contested municipal election.
Reader questions
When is a winner expected to be declared in the Los Angeles mayoral race?
Election officials have said the race will remain too close to call until all precincts are counted, a process that could extend several days beyond the initial reporting.
What are the current vote totals for the two leading mayoral candidates?
Councilmember Nithya Raman has 405,193 votes; incumbent Mayor Karen Bass has 379,069 votes, based on 67 % of the expected vote.
What other major results came out of California’s 2026 midterm elections?
Democrat Xavier Becerra was projected to win the governor’s race, and Proposition 3, which makes a high‑income tax increase permanent, passed with 59 % support.
Source: abc7.com
