Spencer Pratt, a candidate in the Los Angeles mayoral race, has lodged a formal complaint against current Mayor Karen Bass, alleging that she breached election laws by campaigning too near a ballot drop box during the early voting period.
The complaint, submitted on Tuesday to the Los Angeles City Clerk’s Office, accuses Mayor Bass of illegal electioneering as she encouraged voters to participate in the early voting ahead of the upcoming June primary.
Peter McNulty, the attorney for Pratt’s campaign, claims that Bass appeared in social media clips where she was “soliciting votes” and “displaying signs urging voters to support her,” all within close proximity to a polling station and ballot drop box.
The complaint contends these actions infringe upon the regulations that prohibit electioneering within a 100-foot radius of voting sites, asserting that the mayor exhibited a “reckless disregard for the rule of law.”
Spencer Pratt took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his concerns, stating, “Karen Bass has blatantly violated election law here. She is so used to flouting the law without facing consequences that she even documented her actions on film.” He posted this comment while sharing the formal complaint and reacting to a video Bass had posted on Monday.
In the video in question, Mayor Bass is seen engaging with supporters and campaign volunteers who were canvassing on her behalf, and later accompanying them to drop off ballots.
“Electioneering within 100 feet of a ballot box is AGAINST THE LAW. Soliciting votes at a ballot box is AGAINST THE LAW.
“These clear violations show a reckless disregard for the rule of law and our democratic process,” Pratt added accusing Bass of operating a “mafia-like regime.”
According to Los Angeles election law, campaign activity is prohibited within 100 feet of a polling place, ballot drop box, or elections office.
The ordinance bans soliciting votes, displaying campaign materials such as signs, shirts or logos supporting a candidate, and speaking to voters about how to cast their ballots. The rule is intended to prevent electioneering and voter influence near voting locations.
The Bass campaign maintains no election law violation occurred.
“Spencer is just mad that his supporters are AI cartoons and we have real Angelenos. We follow the rules,” Alex Stack, campaign spokesperson for Bass, told The California Post.
The campaign said the video was filmed at two separate locations. According to the campaign, the portion featuring campaign signs was shot in the middle of the park, while the second location showed the ballot drop box. The campaign claims the two locations were roughly 200 feet apart.
The allegations stem from a campaign video posted roughly one week before the June primary election. In the clip, Bass is seen thanking supporters as they submitted ballots into a drop box while she promoted voting and her reelection campaign.
The City Clerk’s Office has not yet publicly responded to the complaint. The Post has also reached out to them for comment.
