The Los Angeles mayoral race has become a focal point for misinformation and conspiracy theories. Unsubstantiated claims have surfaced on social media platform X, alleging a plot to prevent MAGA-backed candidate Spencer Pratt from advancing against incumbent Democrat Karen Bass.

These theories cite changing betting odds on prediction market sites Kalshi and Polymarket as evidence of potential election fraud. Posts by influencers, often sponsored by these companies, fueled these claims.

Commentator David Freeman questioned whether California was attempting to exclude Pratt from the election, citing information from Kalshi. The Associated Press reported Nithya Raman overtaking Pratt to secure the second-place spot.

Kalshi and Polymarket engage influencers to promote their platforms by paying them as much as $500 per post. Controversy arose as some influencers spread false narratives about the election while under paid partnerships with these companies.

Kalshi and Polymarket have begun to rein in these partnerships. Following inquiries, they have asked influencers to remove posts that question election integrity. Some posts have been deleted, and companies are reviewing their promotion strategies.

The use of prediction market data has stirred confusion among voters, who might not distinguish betting patterns from actual polling results. This confusion, coupled with the slow counting of mail-in ballots, has provided fertile ground for fraud allegations.

These dynamics have parallels to previous claims of election fraud. Experts worry about the potential impact on upcoming elections. The trend highlights a growing intersection between social media, misinformation, and political discourse.