CHAOS — LA Mayor's Race Takes Turn After Video from Ballot Counting Facility LEAKS
Los Angeles, California - June 8, 2026
Leaked Footage Exposes Empty Workstations at Los Angeles Ballot Processing Center as Backlog Exceeds 713,000 Ballots
A video and on-site reporting from Los Angeles County’s massive ballot counting facility has revealed dozens of vacant workstations and significantly understaffed sections despite a backlog of more than 713,180 unprocessed ballots from the June 2 primary. Only 77,521 additional ballots have been processed since election night, according to the latest county update.
Reporters who visited the 144,000-square-foot facility observed long rows of empty chairs and multiple areas where no workers were present at desks. In one section dedicated to reviewing ballots that scanners could not process, approximately 25 bins sat ready with no employees seated nearby. In another area where envelopes are opened and ballots prepared for counting, roughly 75 workers were on duty in a space designed to accommodate more than twice that number.
When questioned about the empty workstations, one election center staff member told reporters not to be “fooled by what you see” but provided no further explanation before walking away.
California gubernatorial frontrunner Steve Hilton called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to establish an Emergency Election Count Accelerator Corps, mobilizing additional state personnel and rapid-response teams to help clear the backlog without compromising security or legal standards.
“California is the laughing stock of the nation when it comes to election reporting,” Hilton said. “We are the fourth-largest economy in the world, home to Silicon Valley and some of the most advanced technology on earth, yet government bureaucrats need a month to count fewer than 10 million ballots.”
President Donald Trump also criticized the slow pace on Truth Social, accusing Democrats of attempting to “STEAL THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA PRIMARY, AND THE MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES PRIMARY” through very late and massive numbers of mail-in ballots.
Los Angeles County spends nearly $336 million annually on its Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office, which has more than 1,100 budgeted positions. Registrar Dean Logan earns an annual salary of $448,179.
In sharp contrast, other states that held elections on the same day have nearly completed their counts. New Jersey has reported roughly 93 percent of ballots counted, while New Mexico and Montana are approaching 98 percent. Los Angeles County has more than 5.8 million registered voters.
The combination of visible understaffing, slow processing, and a massive remaining backlog has intensified questions about whether the county has the capacity and urgency required to deliver timely and transparent results.
California Election Scandal Blows Wide Open - Trump Is DEMANDING Answers
Los Angeles, California - June 8, 2026
Empty Workstations and Massive Backlog at Los Angeles Ballot Facility Draw Justice Department Scrutiny
A visit to Los Angeles County’s 144,000-square-foot ballot processing facility revealed dozens of vacant workstations and lightly staffed sections despite a backlog of more than 713,180 unprocessed ballots from the June 2 primary. Only 77,521 additional ballots have been processed since election night, according to county officials.
Reporters observed multiple rows of empty chairs and sections where no workers were present at desks. In one area dedicated to reviewing ballots that scanners could not automatically process, approximately 25 bins sat ready for review while nearby desks remained unoccupied. In another section where envelopes are opened and ballots prepared for counting, roughly 75 employees were working in a space capable of holding more than twice that number.
Los Angeles County spends nearly $336 million annually on its Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office, which has more than 1,100 budgeted positions. The visible understaffing has intensified questions about the county’s capacity to process ballots efficiently.
The slow pace of counting has drawn sharp criticism from President Donald Trump, who has demanded answers and stated that the Department of Justice is now involved in examining the state’s election processes. Trump has repeatedly highlighted how races in California, including the Los Angeles mayoral contest and the governor’s race, remain unresolved more than a week after Election Day due to extended mail-in ballot deadlines and prolonged counting.
In the Los Angeles mayoral race, Republican Spencer Pratt saw his substantial early lead over Nithya Raman shrink significantly amid late ballot drops. In the governor’s race, Democrat Xavier Becerra has advanced while Republican Steve Hilton remains in contention for the second spot.
Critics argue that the combination of universal mail-in voting, extended receipt windows, and slow processing creates opportunities for manipulation and erodes public confidence. The involvement of federal authorities signals that concerns about transparency and potential irregularities in California’s election administration are now receiving national-level attention.
BREAKING: Winner of California Governor Race Announced This is INSANE
Los Angeles, California - June 8, 2026
Xavier Becerra Advances to November as Steve Hilton Remains in Contention for Second Spot in California Governor’s Race
Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has secured a place in California’s November gubernatorial election after CNN’s Decision Desk projected him as the top vote-getter in the June 2 primary. Becerra’s advancement guarantees Democrats a nominee on the general election ballot under the state’s top-two primary system.
The result provided relief for California Democrats concerned that a crowded field could allow two Republicans to advance. Becerra, a former congressman, California attorney general, and Biden cabinet secretary, centered his campaign on government experience and leadership during crises.
The race for the second runoff spot remains unresolved. Republican Steve Hilton, the Trump-backed former Fox News host, continues to compete alongside Democratic billionaire activist Tom Steyer. Election officials have not yet projected a winner for second place, though Becerra has steadily expanded his lead.
California remains heavily Democratic, with approximately 4.6 million more registered Democrats than Republicans. The last Republican elected governor was Arnold Schwarzenegger two decades ago. If Hilton secures the second spot, he would face a challenging general election in the deep-blue state.
The Democratic primary was marked by several high-profile withdrawals and collapses. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla declined to run. Former Rep. Katie Porter’s campaign faltered after controversial videos surfaced, and then-Rep. Eric Swalwell withdrew amid reports of alleged sexual misconduct, which he denied.
Becerra’s record faced attacks during the campaign, including criticism over the child migrant crisis response, the federal handling of the mpox outbreak, and fallout from a former chief of staff’s guilty plea in a campaign funds fraud case. Supporters argued many attacks were politically motivated and that Becerra inherited difficult situations.
Separately, the Los Angeles mayoral race also remains fluid. Incumbent Democrat Karen Bass has secured a November spot, while Republican reality television personality Spencer Pratt holds second place, though City Councilwoman Nithya Raman continues to gain ground with additional ballots.
Becerra expressed optimism about advancing, stating he is “humbled and honored” to move forward to the general election.
WATCH IT: Trump Shreds 'Fake News' Kristen Welker, Storms Out of Interview
Washington, D.C. - June 8, 2026
President Trump Abruptly Ends Interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker Over California Election Counting Criticism
President Donald Trump walked out of an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press host Kristen Welker after expressing strong frustration with California’s prolonged ballot counting process and what he described as inadequate media coverage of major shifts in vote totals days after the June 2 primary.
The exchange grew heated when the discussion turned to races in California that remained unresolved more than a week after Election Day. Trump highlighted the slow pace of counting and significant swings in results caused by late mail-in ballot drops, including in the Los Angeles mayoral race where Republican Spencer Pratt saw his substantial early lead over leftist candidate Nithya Raman shrink dramatically.
According to reports, Pratt held a lead of more than 40,000 votes on election night but saw it reduced to approximately 7,400 votes amid subsequent ballot drops, with additional ballots still expected. Trump criticized the process as resembling that of a third-world country and accused the press of failing to properly scrutinize why such large shifts consistently appeared to benefit Democratic candidates.
Welker responded by stating that the extended counting timeline is simply how votes are tallied in California. Trump rejected the explanation and expressed exhaustion with the line of questioning.
“So let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough. Thank you, darling, have a good time,” Trump said before ending the interview.
The confrontation comes as federal authorities, including U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli, continue examining potential irregularities in the state’s election system. Trump has repeatedly called for greater scrutiny of California’s universal mail-in practices, extended ballot receipt deadlines, and lengthy counting periods, arguing that they undermine public confidence and create opportunities for abuse.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and segments of the national media over coverage of election administration issues, particularly in Democrat-controlled states with extended voting and counting timelines. Trump has long maintained that basic reforms such as voter ID requirements and stricter chain-of-custody rules for mail ballots are essential to restoring trust in the electoral process.
Los Angeles Mayor Race Officially Called — NEW Winner Announced
Los Angeles, California - June 8, 2026
Late Mail-In Ballot Surge Propels Nithya Raman Past Spencer Pratt in Los Angeles Mayoral Primary
Republican candidate Spencer Pratt appeared headed for a strong second-place finish in the Los Angeles mayoral primary immediately after polls closed on June 2, positioning him to advance to the November runoff under California’s top-two system. However, subsequent batches of late mail-in ballots shifted the outcome, allowing leftist candidate Nithya Raman to overtake him and secure second place behind incumbent Democrat Karen Bass.
In one notable late mail drop, Raman received 19,096 votes (39.9%), Bass received 15,691 votes (32.8%), and Pratt received 8,489 votes (17.8%). Raman, who had appeared emotional on election night believing she had fallen short, ultimately advanced to face Bass in November while Pratt was eliminated.
The dramatic shift fueled widespread criticism of California’s extended counting process and heavy reliance on mail-in ballots that can continue arriving days after Election Day. President Donald Trump stated last week that the Department of Justice would take a close look at the state’s election system, describing it as overdue scrutiny of a process many view as lacking transparency.
Critics argue that the combination of universal mail-in ballots, extended receipt deadlines, and prolonged counting periods creates opportunities for manipulation and erodes public confidence. They point to the pattern in which late ballot surges disproportionately benefited one candidate after initial results had already been reported.
Supporters of election integrity reforms have renewed calls for measures including universal voter ID requirements, proof of citizenship for registration, and an end to extended “election seasons” in favor of stricter Election Day standards. The Los Angeles mayoral outcome has intensified the debate over whether California’s current system prioritizes speed and transparency or leaves room for last-minute adjustments through late mail-in ballots.
The final certified results reflect Raman advancing alongside Bass, while Pratt’s strong initial performance ultimately fell short after the additional ballots were tallied.
