LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman holds a significant lead over Mayor Karen Bass among Latino voters in a recent Berkeley IGS poll, adding another layer of uncertainty to a mayoral race that is approaching the November 3 general election.
The survey found Raman receiving 45% support among likely Latino voters, compared with 21% for Bass, while 34% remained undecided. The numbers place Latino voters among the groups being closely targeted by both campaigns as voting approaches.
The election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, according to the Los Angeles City Clerk’s Office, which administers the city’s municipal election process.
Raman’s lead comes with a large undecided bloc
The 24-point difference between Raman and Bass among Latino voters is one of the more notable findings in the latest polling.
At the same time, the 34% undecided figure means a substantial portion of surveyed Latino voters had not committed to either candidate when the poll was conducted.
That makes the group particularly important during the final weeks of the campaign. A shift among undecided voters could alter the current balance reflected in the survey, while the campaigns continue trying to persuade voters who have not yet made a final choice.
The Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies conducts periodic public-opinion surveys on California politics and public policy, including polling involving Los Angeles voters.
Poll results contrast with June primary
The latest survey also differs from the candidates’ performance in the June 2 primary.
Bass carried 35 Latino-majority neighborhoods, while Raman won seven, according to an analysis of the primary results. The contrast illustrates how neighborhood-level election results and broader polling can produce different pictures of voter preferences.
The June primary ultimately sent Bass and Raman into the general election, with Bass finishing ahead of Raman in the citywide vote.
The city’s official election information confirms that the June 2 primary was followed by the November 3 general municipal election, when Los Angeles voters will choose the next mayor. The City Clerk’s election information also provides information about the offices and measures appearing on the November ballot.
Latino voters become a major focus in final weeks
With the election approaching, both campaigns are increasing efforts to reach Latino voters through neighborhood events, direct voter contact and community outreach.
The latest polling gives Raman a clear advantage within the surveyed Latino electorate, but the size of the undecided group means the result remains unsettled.
The survey also shows that Latino voters are not a uniform bloc. The polling found a substantial difference by age, with Raman performing considerably better among younger Latino voters, while Bass was more competitive among Latino voters age 50 and older.
That division could become important as both campaigns attempt to identify which voters are most likely to participate and which issues are influencing their decisions.
Campaigns face different evidence about Latino support
Bass’ campaign has questioned the latest polling, pointing to differences between the survey results and its own internal numbers.
Raman’s campaign, meanwhile, has pointed to the poll as evidence of support for her campaign among voters who could play an important role in determining the outcome.
Because polling measures voter preferences at a particular point in time, the 34% undecided figure remains significant. The results do not determine how those voters will ultimately cast their ballots, and they do not replace the official vote count on Election Day.
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk provides official information about the November 3, 2026 election, including voting options, candidate information and election materials.
What happens next
The remaining campaign period will give Bass and Raman additional opportunities to compete for undecided voters across Los Angeles.
For Raman, maintaining her advantage among Latino voters could be important if the polling reflects a broader shift in the electorate. For Bass, the campaign faces the task of converting existing support and persuading undecided voters while attempting to close the gap reflected in the latest survey.
Neither the poll nor the June primary results can establish who will win the November election.
The final outcome will be determined by ballots cast and counted in the November 3 general municipal election, with official election information available through the Los Angeles City Clerk and Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
