Bass and Raman Close Campaigns as LA Votes on Nov 3

Los Angeles voters head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov 3, to choose a new mayor and a new governor.

Mayor Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman finished their final day of campaigning on Monday.

Bass, who took office in 2022 after defeating Rick Caruso, visited several neighborhoods to promote her platform.

She joined Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra at Homegirl Cafe in Chinatown.

Bass also made stops in Sylmar and Pacoima.

During these appearances, Bass focused on homelessness, affordability, and public safety.

Bass told voters, "My closing message to voters is that this election is a real choice."

She added, "I know that we can get rid of all the major encampments off our streets, I know that our city can be safer."

Raman, who announced her run in February, campaigned at the UCLA campus and West Hollywood.

She spoke to supporters on an outdoor stage about the needs of young residents.

Raman said, "The issues that I'm speaking to in this campaign are issues that matter for young people."

She noted that many young people want to build their lives in the city but struggle with costs and services under the current administration. A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll released last week shows the mayoral race is close. Both candidates stand at 40 percent among likely voters. Nineteen percent of likely voters remain undecided. This figure has dropped from 33 percent in a late September poll. The decline in undecided voters has helped Bass close the gap. In September, Raman led by 11 points among likely voters. The shift has been most pronounced among voters who supported Spencer Pratt in the June primary. In the new poll, 41 percent of Pratt backers plan to support Bass. Only 14 percent of that group support Raman. Forty-five percent of Pratt voters have not decided. The governor's race also features a wide margin for Becerra. A Public Policy Institute of California survey shows 61 percent of likely voters support Becerra. Thirty-seven percent support Republican Steve Hilton. Becerra, the former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, has positioned Hilton as a candidate chosen by President Trump. Hilton frames his campaign as a choice for change in a state that has voted Democratic for governor since 2006. Vote centers in California are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Voters who are in line by closing time will be allowed to vote. California mail ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days will be counted. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk recommends mailing ballots at least seven days before the election. Voters can also drop off ballots at secure drop boxes or vote in person at registered centers. Same-day registration is available at vote centers for those who missed the Oct 19 deadline. These voters will cast provisional ballots that are counted after verification. The ballot includes 14 statewide propositions and races for Congress and local offices.