US DOJ Investigates Alleged Pay‑for‑Vote Claims in Los Angeles Skid Row

On June 9, 2026, a video circulated on TikTok and X in which a woman from Los Angeles’ Skid Row claimed she was paid $2 and directed to vote for Mayor Karen Bass. The clip, shared by multiple accounts, shows the woman confirming that she had voted for Bass and stating that she had been handed money to do so.

The video’s authenticity remains unverified. No independent source has confirmed the identity of the woman, and no law‑enforcement agency has opened an inquiry or substantiated the allegations. Nonetheless, the clip prompted widespread reactions across social media, with many users calling for a formal investigation and condemning the apparent exploitation of vulnerable residents.

In response, the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division expedited a review to safeguard the voting rights of homeless individuals in Los Angeles. The DOJ notes that it is illegal to pay voters or to incentivize them to vote for a particular candidate. The bureau is concerned that the alleged payments, if proven true, would constitute a federal crime and could interfere with the integrity of elections in one of the country’s largest cities.

The DOJ also highlighted broader concerns over the registration of homeless voters in Los Angeles. Reports indicate that thousands of homeless persons have registered at shelter and institutional addresses that likely exceed the capacity of those facilities. While the practice of using such addresses is lawful, it can create vulnerabilities if those voters are subject to coercion or pay‑for‑vote schemes.

Until the investigation concludes, the DOJ has urged election officials and community groups to monitor the situation closely, provide support to homeless voters, and ensure a fair and transparent electoral process. The Department remains committed to protecting the rights of all voters, regardless of housing status, and to upholding the integrity of American elections.