Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
The Way Los Angeles Votes Is Radically Changing. Is Anyone Paying Attention?
Voters try out new ballot marking devices at the L.A. County mock election at Salazar Park in East L.A. on September 28, 2019. (Al Kamalizad for LAist)
()
Los Angeles voters will be asked to navigate a completely different way to cast ballots for the fast-approaching California primary.
Where and how the county votes is changing.
Is anyone paying attention? That won't be clear until in-person voting starts Feb. 22.
[Get all the info you need for the 2020 primary from KPCC + LAist's Voter Game Plan]
Support for LAist comes from
When they've tried out the new equipment during mock demonstrations, many voters say they like the L.A. County-designed ballot marking devices, electronic poll books and multi-day vote centers -- instead of neighborhood polling places -- rolling out for the primary election.
But some worry sunny L.A. could be headed for a perfect storm of election confusion.
Candidates like Mike Garcia, who's running for Congress as a Republican in North L.A. County, are concerned voters will show up on election day to an empty community center or school gym where they usually vote and won't know where to go.
"That's what's keeping me up at night," Garcia said. "It's a six-lane memorial highway dedicated to confusion."
The county has invested in an advertising blitz to let voters know where and how to cast their ballots.
But it's a significant behavioral adjustment for millions of Angelenos -- who've historically voted more in-person than by mail. That could change in 2020. The county is expecting over 60 percent of voters to mail-in ballots this year, a big jump.
READ THE FULL STORY:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist