Spencer Pratt accuses LA Mayor Karen Bass of breaking election law by campaigning near ballot box

Los Angeles Mayor Accused of Illegal Campaigning Near Ballot Box

A formal complaint has been filed in Los Angeles alleging that Mayor Karen Bass violated state election law by campaigning within 100 feet of a ballot box during a recent political event. The complaint was lodged by Spencer Pratt, a reality‑TV star who is running for mayor as an independent candidate.

Pratt posted the complaint on the social‑media platform X, where he shared a photograph of the formal notice. In his accompanying caption, he said, “Karen Bass just violated election law here.” He went on to accuse the mayor of “filming herself doing it” and added that her alleged actions “show a reckless disregard for the rule of law and our democratic process.”

Under California law, candidates and campaign workers may not campaign within 100 feet of a ballot box. Pratt’s attorney, Peter McNulty, wrote in the complaint that the alleged violation “has the potential to intimidate and improperly influence voters,” and urged city officials to investigate. McNulty also indicated that a similar complaint had already been filed with state authorities.

In the complaint, Pratt cited a video posted by Bass that appeared to show the mayor encouraging people to vote while standing next to a ballot box. He stated that the video was taken at “two locations … one 200+ feet away from the ballot box (with signs) and one next to the ballot box (no signs).”

Bass’s campaign spokesperson, Alex Stack, responded to the allegations on Fox News Digital. “Spencer is just mad that his supporters are AI cartoons and we have real Angelenos,” Stack said. “We follow the rules. His complaint is blatantly false.” The spokesperson noted that the video in question was filmed at two separate sites, one of which was well outside the prohibited radius and the other had no signs, implying that the mayor did not violate election‑electioning statutes.

Pratt’s public statements also touched on other campaign themes. He has vowed to leave Los Angeles for Seattle if he loses the mayoral race and has promised a policy aimed at relocating homeless residents to other cities. The complaint, however, centers solely on the alleged legal violations related to the ballot box.

The city of Los Angeles has not yet issued a formal response to the complaint, and it remains unclear whether any investigation will be initiated. State authorities also have not announced a review.

The incident underscores the strict nature of California’s election‑electioning rules, which were put in place to protect the integrity of the voting process. The law’s purpose is to prevent undue influence on voters by ensuring a clear physical distance between campaign activities and ballot boxes.

Pratt’s complaint is being taken seriously by some election officials who are reviewing the evidence, while others view the allegations as a political tactic. The city’s election office has said it will comply with all lawful requests for investigation and will provide updates once a determination has been made.

For now, the lawsuit remains pending, and the mayor’s campaign continues to deny any wrongdoing. Whether the complaint will prompt an official inquiry remains to be seen, but the situation has already drawn national attention to the enforcement of election‑electioning laws in one of the country’s largest cities.