When will AP call the Los Angeles mayoral primary?
Short Answer
Both the model and the market expect the AP to call the Los Angeles mayoral primary Before Jun 30, with no compelling evidence of mispricing.
1. Executive Verdict
- The Associated Press has not called the mayoral primary as of June 8, 2026.
- A tight race for second place delays the Associated Press call.
- Approximately 150,000 uncounted ballots make an early call improbable.
- AP's stringent certainty criteria make a call before June 11 very unlikely.
Who Wins and Why
| Outcome | Market | Model | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before Jun 12 | 95.0% | 94.9% | The call is likely by June 12 as extensive tabulation and analysis of ballots proceed. |
| Before Jun 15 | 64.0% | 94.9% | Research does not highlight strong supporting evidence. |
| Before Jun 20 | 98.0% | 97.7% | The call is expected before Jun 20 as ballot processing and analysis likely conclude. |
| Before Jun 30 | 99.0% | 98.6% | The call is expected before Jun 30, as ongoing ballot processing will likely conclude. |
Current Context
The Associated Press has not called the Los Angeles mayoral primary. As of June 8, 2026, the June 2 primary remains uncalled due to a close contest for the second spot in the November runoff election [^][^][^]. Nithya Raman and Spencer Pratt are locked in a tight race to determine who will advance to face incumbent Karen Bass [^][^].
Approximately 150,000 ballots are still awaiting tabulation. As of June 8, 2026, an estimated 150,000 ballots had yet to be counted, with processing expected to continue in the coming days as Los Angeles County tabulates ballots postmarked by Election Day [^][^]. Los Angeles County officials are required to complete the final official election results by July 2, 2026, and the Secretary of State will then certify these results by July 10, 2026 [^].
2. Market Behavior & Price Dynamics
Historical Price (Probability)
Outcome probability
Date
This prediction market's price chart illustrates a rapid and decisive upward trend, beginning at a 1.0% probability and escalating to 95.0% within a few days. The primary catalyst for this movement was a 49.0 percentage point spike around June 6, which lifted the price from 2.0% to 51.0%. This surge directly correlates with news reports that the race for the second runoff spot had tightened considerably, suggesting a prolonged vote-counting process was likely. This was followed by another significant 44.0 percentage point spike on June 7, pushing the price to 95.0%. This second jump was likely a reaction to the continued lack of a race call, which reinforced the market's belief that a resolution would be delayed.
The price action indicates a swift and dramatic shift in market sentiment, with trading volume totaling 611 contracts. The price established a key level at 51.0% before breaking through to a new, stable level near 95.0%, which has since acted as a price ceiling. Initially, the market expected a quick call by the Associated Press. However, as news emerged about the razor-thin margin between the candidates, sentiment pivoted completely. The current 95.0% probability reflects a strong consensus among traders that the vote count would be extended, delaying the official race call.
3. Significant Price Movements
Notable price changes detected in the chart, along with research into what caused each movement.
Outcome: Before Jun 12
📈 June 07, 2026: 44.0pp spike
Price increased from 51.0% to 95.0%
What happened: The available web research, dated June 8, 2026, indicates the Associated Press had not yet called the Los Angeles mayoral primary due to an ongoing vote count and a tight race for the second runoff spot [^][^][^]. This information, which suggests a delayed resolution, appears to contradict the 44.0 percentage point spike on June 7, 2026, for the outcome "Before Jun 12." No social media activity or specific news from June 7, 2026, supporting an earlier call is present in the provided sources. Therefore, the primary driver for this market movement cannot be determined from the given information, and social media activity is not identified as a driver.
Outcome: Before Jun 20
📈 June 06, 2026: 87.0pp spike
Price increased from 3.0% to 90.0%
What happened: The primary driver of the prediction market price movement was traditional news reporting on developments in the Los Angeles mayoral primary vote count. On or around June 6, 2026, reports indicated that Nithya Raman had overtaken Spencer Pratt in the tight race for the second runoff spot [^][^]. This shift in the vote count likely suggested the race was becoming less uncertain, increasing expectations that the Associated Press could call the primary before June 20. Social media was not identified as a primary driver, as no relevant activity was found in the provided research.
Outcome: Before Jun 15
📈 June 04, 2026: 29.0pp spike
Price increased from 49.0% to 78.0%
What happened: No specific primary driver for the 29.0 percentage point spike in the "Before Jun 15" outcome on June 04, 2026, can be identified from the available information. While the Los Angeles mayoral primary election was held on June 2, 2026 [^][^], traditional news sources consistently indicated a tight race and a significant number of uncounted ballots for the second runoff spot as of June 3 and June 8, suggesting a protracted call rather than an early one [^][^][^]. No social media activity or specific news event around June 4, 2026, was found to explain an increased expectation for the AP to call the primary before June 15. Social media was irrelevant, as no related activity was found in the provided sources.
4. Market Data
Contract Snapshot
This market resolves to YES if the Associated Press (AP) makes its first definitive call of both advancers or an outright winner for the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral primary before 12 AM ET on June 12, 2026. Otherwise, if the call is not made by this deadline, the market resolves to NO and closes by 10:00 AM EDT on June 12, 2026. The call must be publicly visible on an AP primary platform (website, TV, or official social media) without qualifiers suggesting uncertainty, and verification will be from apnews.com.
Available Contracts
Market options and current pricing
| Outcome bucket | Yes (price) | No (price) | Last trade probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before Jun 12 | $0.99 | $0.15 | 95% |
| Before Jun 15 | $0.99 | $0.02 | 64% |
| Before Jun 20 | $0.99 | $0.97 | 98% |
| Before Jun 30 | $1.00 | $0.01 | 99% |
Market Discussion
The AP has not yet called the second spot in the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral primary as of June 8, 2026, due to a tight race between Nithya Raman and Spencer Pratt [^]. While incumbent Mayor Karen Bass already secured a spot on the November ballot [^], the AP's methodology requires the outcome to be mathematically certain before a race is called [^]. This tight contest has led to significant activity in prediction markets tracking whether the call will happen before June 12, 2026 [^].
5. What are the Associated Press's official criteria for calling an election, and how have they been applied in recent, close California primaries?
| AP Call Principle | Declares winner only when trailing candidate has no mathematical path to victory [^][^][^][^] |
|---|---|
| 2026 LA Mayoral Primary Date | June 2, 2026 [^][^][^] |
| Second Runoff Spot Status | Not called as of June 8, 2026, tight race [^][^][^] |
AP declares election winners when a mathematical victory is certain for the leading candidate. This decision relies on rigorous analysis of reported vote counts and remaining ballots, ensuring calls are based on concrete evidence that a candidate has secured enough votes to prevent being overtaken, rather than on projections or speculation [^][^][^][^]. The AP explicitly will not call a race if any scenario exists where a trailing candidate could bridge the gap, even if all ballots have not yet been counted [^][^][^][^].
California primaries see AP call finalists with insurmountable leads despite ongoing ballot counting. In California's "jungle primary" system, where the top two candidates advance, the AP may call the race to identify finalists if it determines that a candidate's lead for a top position is insurmountable [^][^][^][^]. For the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral primary held on June 2, the Associated Press promptly announced incumbent Mayor Karen Bass as having secured a spot in the November runoff; however, as of June 8, 2026, the AP has not yet called the second spot in the runoff, describing the contest between Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman as a tight race [^][^][^].
6. How does the estimated geographic distribution of uncounted Los Angeles County ballots align with the respective strongholds of Nithya Raman and Spencer Pratt?
| Nithya Raman Vote Share | 27.1% [^][^][^][^] |
|---|---|
| Spencer Pratt Vote Share | 26.7% [^][^][^][^] |
| Expected Votes Counted | 83.2% [^][^][^][^] |
Nithya Raman recently surpassed Spencer Pratt in the Los Angeles mayoral primary. With approximately 83.2% of expected votes counted, Raman now holds 27.1% of the vote, moving ahead of Pratt, who has 26.7% [^][^][^][^]. This shift occurred as late-counted mail-in ballots, which have consistently favored Raman, a progressive candidate, were processed. Election officials and experts note this as a predictable trend in California, particularly due to the typical processing patterns of mail-in and urban-area ballots [^][^].
Determining geographic alignment of uncounted ballots and candidate strongholds is not possible. Although Spencer Pratt, a registered Republican running as an independent, held an early lead on election night, the available information does not provide details on the estimated geographic distribution of the remaining uncounted ballots within Los Angeles County [^][^]. Furthermore, the precise geographic strongholds of either candidate are not defined in the provided facts, which precludes an analysis of how these elements might geographically align [^][^].
7. What is the historical precedent for the timeline of Los Angeles County's vote count, and how does the 2026 primary pace compare so far?
| LA County Canvass Period | 30 days after Election Night [^] |
|---|---|
| Example Canvass Update Schedule | Updates from June 3-7, with Update 6 on 06/08 for June 2, 2026 primary [^] |
| Ballots Counted by June 7-8 | Approximately 83% [^][^][^] |
Los Angeles County's vote counting is a statutorily extended process. The official election canvass period in Los Angeles County spans 30 days following Election Night, a timeframe dedicated to verifying and counting all remaining ballots. California law mandates final certification within this 30-day period, explicitly stating that the ballot counting process does not conclude on Election Night itself [^].
The 2026 primary demonstrated this extended counting timeline. This extended counting process was evident during the statewide direct primary held on June 2, 2026. Los Angeles County's canvass update schedule included regular updates daily from June 3 through June 7, with an additional "Update 6" scheduled for Monday, June 8 [^]. As of news reports on June 7-8, the Associated Press had not yet declared a winner for the Los Angeles mayoral primary [^][^]. At that time, approximately 83% of ballots had been counted, and reports indicated the race remained unresolved, with the contest for second place continuing to shift days after the election [^][^][^].
Delayed resolution in 2026 aligned with market predictions. The multi-day post-election counting and subsequent late resolution of the mayoral race observed in Los Angeles County were consistent with outcomes predicted in the market, where expectations for a call clustered around "Before Jun 12" [^].
8. What are the key procedural deadlines for Los Angeles County and the California Secretary of State to certify the final 2026 primary results?
| LA County Certification Deadline | July 2, 2026 (E+30) [^][^][^] |
|---|---|
| CA SOS Certification Deadline | July 10, 2026 (E+38) [^] |
| LA Mayoral Primary Date | June 2, 2026 [^][^] |
Los Angeles County must certify primary results by early July. The Los Angeles mayoral primary election was held on June 2, 2026, coinciding with the Statewide Direct Primary Election [^][^]. Los Angeles County is statutorily required to finalize its official canvass and certify the results for this primary election by July 2, 2026 (E+30) [^][^][^].
The Secretary of State certifies statewide results shortly after. Subsequently, the California Secretary of State is mandated to certify the Statement of Vote for the June 2, 2026, primary election. This statewide certification, which includes the results of the Los Angeles mayoral primary, must be completed by July 10, 2026 (E+38) [^].
9. What specific vote margin and percentage of ballots counted would likely be sufficient for the AP to call the race between Raman and Pratt?
| Winner Declaration Criterion | Trailing candidate has no mathematical path to victory [^][^] |
|---|---|
| Condition for 'Too Close to Call' (Not Declared) | Regular ballots are still being tabulated [^][^][^] |
| Condition for 'Too Close to Call' (May Be Declared) | Tabulation largely concluded and margin < 0.5 percentage points [^][^][^] |
The Associated Press (AP) declares winners when a candidate has no mathematical path to victory. The AP will not declare a winner until it is absolutely certain the trailing candidate has no mathematical path to victory [^][^]. This thorough process involves analyzing where remaining votes are located and how they are likely to break, drawing insights from historical data and voter demographics [^][^][^][^][^]. A central principle for the AP is to ensure 100% accuracy in its election calls [^][^][^].
Regular ballot tabulation prevents a race call, even with large margins. The AP will not deem a race 'too close to call' if regular ballots are still being tabulated, regardless of the current vote margin between candidates [^][^][^]. However, the AP may formally declare a race 'too close to call' if the vote tabulation has largely concluded—meaning all but provisional and late-arriving absentee ballots are counted—and the margin between the top two candidates is less than 0.5 percentage points [^][^][^].
10. What Could Change the Odds
Key Catalysts
The Associated Press (AP) does not operate on a fixed timeline for calling races; it only makes a race call when it is certain that the trailing candidate(s) cannot catch up to the leader(s) based on the remaining uncounted vote, including mail-in, provisional, and late-arriving ballots [^][^][^][^][^].
Key Dates & Catalysts
- Strike Date: June 02, 2026
- Expiration: June 04, 2026
- Closes: June 30, 2026
11. Decision-Flipping Events
- Trigger: The Los Angeles mayoral primary nominating election took place on June 2, 2026 [^] [^] [^] .
- Trigger: As of June 8, 2026, the Associated Press and other major news outlets have not yet called the second spot in the nonpartisan mayoral primary [^] [^] [^] [^] .
- Trigger: A tight vote-count continues between Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman to determine who will join incumbent Karen Bass in the November 3, 2026, runoff election [^] [^] [^] [^] .
- Trigger: The Associated Press (AP) does not operate on a fixed timeline for calling races; it only makes a race call when it is certain that the trailing candidate(s) cannot catch up to the leader(s) based on the remaining uncounted vote, including mail-in, provisional, and late-arriving ballots [^] [^] [^] [^] [^] .
13. Historical Resolutions
Historical Resolutions: 11 markets in this series
Outcomes: 0 resolved YES, 11 resolved NO
Recent resolutions:
- KXAPCALLLAMAYOR-26JUN03-JUN0812A: NO (Jun 08, 2026)
- KXAPCALLLAMAYOR-26JUN03-JUN0712A: NO (Jun 07, 2026)
- KXAPCALLLAMAYOR-26JUN03-JUN0612A: NO (Jun 06, 2026)
- KXAPCALLLAMAYOR-26JUN03-JUN0512A: NO (Jun 05, 2026)
- KXAPCALLLAMAYOR-26JUN03-JUN0412P: NO (Jun 04, 2026)
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