The election will test whether voters in the heavily Democratic city want to move further to the political left to address long-running problems of homelessness, buckled streets and sidewalks and climbing rent and home prices.

Pratt, a reality television personality, was not able to pull off his latest venture — an improbable bid to become mayor of Los Angeles.

Nithya Raman, a progressive Democrat who entered the mayoral race at the last minute, secured the second spot to face Mayor Karen Bass in November. Her comeback sets up an intraparty battle.

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Other states with vote-by-mail manage to count much more quickly.

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Nithya Raman pulled into second place in the race to see who will face Mayor Karen Bass in November. There are more votes to be counted.

© Gabriela Bhaskar/The New York Times