Will Karen Bass win the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election?
Yes at 55% on 28 Oct 2026, down 1 pts over the previous 7 days. 3 big jumps since 10 Oct 2026, listed below.
Data from Polymarket. Numbered dots are the jumps explained below.
Context
This market asks whether Karen Bass will win the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election. The market resolves based on the official winner of the election or a consensus of credible reporting, following the primary election on June 2, 2026, and a potential runoff on November 3, 2026.
As the race enters its final stretch, a recent poll shows Karen Bass has come from behind and is now in a dead heat with Nithya Raman. Meanwhile, former mayoral opponent Rick Caruso recently announced that he will vote for Bass's reelection.
Key developments in the race include Nithya Raman advancing to face Karen Bass, alongside scrutiny regarding outside backers and internal debates within the Democratic Socialists of America. The election rules outline a primary on June 2, 2026, and a runoff scheduled for November 3, 2026, if no candidate secures a majority.
Sources: MyNewsLA.com: Rick Caruso Will Vote for Karen Bass in LA Mayor’s Race, Los Angeles Times: Former Bass opponent Rick Caruso now says he will vote for her reelection as mayor, AllHipHop: Samuel L. Jackson Gets Profane In Karen Bass Election Push, ABC7 Los Angeles: In ABC7 exclusive, Rick Caruso says he's voting for Karen Bass in Los Angeles mayoral race, ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos: Nithya Raman advances over Spencer Pratt in Los Angeles mayoral race, facing Karen Bass: AP, Los Angeles Times: DSA’s national leaders postpone decision on rescinding Raman’s endorsement for mayor, LAmag: Nithya Raman Campaign Accuses Bass-Backed Group of AI Impersonation, The New York Times: Nithya Raman Is Not L.A.’s Mamdani. But She Might Become Mayor, Too., KTLA: Caruso backing Bass in Los Angeles mayor’s race, Magzter: Doubt over Bass’ outside backers | Los Angeles Times - newspaper, AOL.com: Unsuccessful mayoral candidate Rick Caruso endorses Bass, Axios: Socialist civil war engulfs Los Angeles mayor race, Hoodline: Ex-Karen Bass Aide Leads Outside Group in LA Mayor Race, The New York Sun: Heading Into Final Stretch of LA Mayor’s Race Nithya Raman Faces DSA Revolt, Questions About Commitment To Boycott, Divest From Israel, Los Angeles Times: Bass comes from behind, now in dead heat with Raman in mayor’s race, new poll shows
Written by AI from the linked news sources and checked automatically, not by a person.
What could move it next
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3 Nov 2026
Runoff Election Day
Voters will cast their ballots in the runoff election on November 3, 2026, which will determine the winner of the mayoral race.
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Before election results are finalized
Polls and Voter Sentiment
Subsequent polling and tracking of voter alignment following recent high-profile endorsements and ideological debates could shift expectations for the outcome.
Source: Axios: Socialist civil war engulfs Los Angeles mayor race, The New York Sun: Heading Into Final Stretch of LA Mayor’s Race Nithya Raman Faces DSA Revolt, Questions About Commitment To Boycott, Divest From Israel, Los Angeles Times: Bass comes from behind, now in dead heat with Raman in mayor’s race, new poll shows
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Before election results are finalized
Outside Spending and Campaign Group Activities
Developments regarding outside political groups and independent expenditures supporting or scrutinizing the candidates could influence voter views.
Source: Magzter: Doubt over Bass’ outside backers | Los Angeles Times - newspaper, Hoodline: Ex-Karen Bass Aide Leads Outside Group in LA Mayor Race
Written by AI from the linked news sources and checked automatically, not by a person.
Price jumps explained
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28 Oct 2026
Poll Shows Karen Bass Closing Gap in L.A. Mayor Race
The price for Karen Bass rose after a new poll showed her closing a previous gap and entering a dead heat with Nithya Raman in the Los Angeles mayoral race. Multiple news sources reported on the poll results, indicating a tighter contest as the election approaches.
Sources: Los Angeles Times: Bass comes from behind, now in dead heat with Raman in mayor’s race, new poll shows, The New York Times: Los Angeles Mayoral Election 2026: Latest Polls, ABC7 Los Angeles: Karen Bass, Nithya Raman tied in Los Angeles mayor's race, new poll shows, NBC Los Angeles: Karen Bass, Nithya Raman in dead heat in race for LA mayor, poll says, New York Post: Massive swing in LA mayoral race as shock new poll released with just days to go
After 24 h: too early. After 7 days: too early.
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22 Oct 2026
Karen Bass Falls Behind Nithya Raman in LA Mayor Race
The chance of Karen Bass winning the election dropped after the New York Post reported on a shock poll showing LA voters heavily criticizing the state of the city. Additionally, Kalshi News reported that Nithya Raman retook the market lead over Bass at 51 percent.
Sources: New York Post: Exclusive | LA voters scorch state of the city, huge number seriously considering leaving California: shock poll, Kalshi News: LA mayor odds: Raman retakes market lead over Bass at 51%
After 24 h: held. After 7 days: too early.
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10 Oct 2026
Karen Bass Turnout Surge and L.A. News
The chance of Karen Bass winning the mayoral election increased after reports highlighted a Bass-led turnout surge and her campaign activities in the final weeks of the race. These events included defending the police chief and addressing homeless concerns, alongside news about her supporters impacting local meetings. Other articles noted competing candidates and final debates leading up to the election.
Sources: ABC7 Los Angeles: Mayor Karen Bass defends LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, addresses homeless concerns as campaign enters final weeks, Los Angeles Times: A final face-off in the L.A. mayoral race, Los Angeles Times: Bass-led turnout surge crashes meeting to replace L.A. homeless outreach agency
After 24 h: held. After 7 days: partly reverted.
Written by AI from the linked news sources and checked automatically, not by a person.
Questions about this market
What are the odds for “Will Karen Bass win the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election”?
On 28 Oct 2026, Polymarket traders priced Yes at 55%, which means they saw about a 55 in 100 chance. That was down 1 points over the previous 7 days. The live price is shown in the chart at the top of this page.
Why did the odds move recently?
The latest explained move was on 28 Oct 2026, from 44% to 59%: Poll Shows Karen Bass Closing Gap in L.A. Mayor Race. The price for Karen Bass rose after a new poll showed her closing a previous gap and entering a dead heat with Nithya Raman in the Los Angeles mayoral race. Every big move is listed under “Price jumps explained” (this one is number 3).
What could change the odds next?
Coming up: Runoff Election Day (3 Nov 2026); Polls and Voter Sentiment; Outside Spending and Campaign Group Activities. Details are under “What could move it next”.
Do big jumps in this market usually hold?
Of the 2 big jumps old enough to check, both held after 24 hours (kept at least 70% of the move).
How does this market resolve?
This market will resolve according to the candidate that wins the election. The primary resolution source for this market will be a consensus of credible reporting; however, if there is any ambiguity in the results, this market will resolve according to official information from the City of Los Angeles. The full Polymarket rules are at the bottom of this page.
Can I bet on this market on predictionwave?
No. predictionwave only explains the odds. The market itself runs on Polymarket, and trading there is not allowed in every country.
How this market resolves (Polymarket rules)
The 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election will be held on June 2, 2026, to elect the mayor of Los Angeles, California. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election will be held on November 3, 2026. This market will resolve according to the candidate that wins the election. The primary resolution source for this market will be a consensus of credible reporting; however, if there is any ambiguity in the results, this market will resolve according to official information from the City of Los Angeles.