This election drama comes after two incidents of attempted election interference may have occurred in Long Beach and elsewhere before the June 2 primary election. Candidate Spencer Pratt announced the formal complaint on Tuesday in an urgent post on X.

“Karen Bass just violated election law here,” Pratt wrote to his followers. “She is so accustomed to breaking the law with no accountability, she even filmed herself doing it. Well, those days are over. We just filed a formal complaint for illegally gaming the election. We must protect our democracy.”

Pratt argued that Bass clearly violated specific laws designed to prevent electioneering near voting locations. “Electioneering within 100 feet of a ballot box is AGAINST THE LAW. Soliciting votes at a ballot box is AGAINST THE LAW,” he wrote. “These clear violations show a reckless disregard for the rule of law and our democratic process.”

The candidate went on to accuse Bass of believing different rules apply to elected officials. “It’s ‘rules for thee, but not for me,’” Pratt said. Pratt included a photograph of the complaint filing in his social media post and vowed to pursue the matter through all available legal avenues.

Under California state law, candidates and campaign workers are strictly prohibited from electioneering within 100 feet of a ballot drop box. Pratt’s complaint centers on a campaign video posted by Bass that appeared to show her encouraging supporters to vote while standing near a ballot box. A spokesperson for Bass later dismissed the complaint and questioned Pratt’s campaign tactics.