Civics & Democracy

LAist’s coverage of civic life and citizen issues in Southern California. We cover elections, examine who gets listened to and why, and provide a guide for anyone who wants to more fully participate in civic life.

A group of firefighters walk up a steep hillside as firetrucks are parked in the distance.

Lawmakers vote to let first responders retire earlier and with more money. Will Newsom sign on?

California police and firefighters will be able to retire earlier and earn more generous pensions under a bill lawmakers sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The data center backlash is here — and Big Tech is spending big to combat it

A silhouette of a person speaking on a phone in front of a window with a downtown area and bridge in the background.

Voter ID is on the ballot: Tell LAist about your experience getting an official ID

A close up of the corner of an ID showing a yellow bear illustration with a star inside of it.

Judge hands victory to Westminster councilmember, but political war continues

Listen 0:45

A group of adults and children smile together outside a courtroom door labeled Superior Court Department W13.

California sues to block Trump’s mail-in voting rules just days after loss at Supreme Court

A stack of mail in ballots. They are white envelpes with a third of the envelope colored red on the left hand side. On the envelope is a return address and the word "vote!"

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Campaigns backed by stadium and billboard companies have spent $3.4M on Inglewood’s election

In the first six months of the year, Hollywood Park, the Kia Forum and billboard company WOW Media were the primary funders behind two competing campaigns.
Postal Service appeals order blocking plan for Trump's push to restrict mail voting

A federal judge in Boston canceled a nationwide ruling that blocked U.S. Postal Service work on President Donald Trump's order.
With clock ticking, California lawmakers reject key parts of Newsom’s wildfire plan

California lawmakers are pushing back on Gov. Gavin Newsom's last-minute proposals to limit fire survivor payouts and utilities' financial liability.
Garden Grove business plans to resume operations after tank hazmat scare

Operations will be subject to an independently monitored, court-approved safety plan.

Listen 0:39
California justices seem skeptical of Sheriff Chad Bianco’s defense in ballot seizure case

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco was at the California Supreme Court Monday as his attorney argued he acted within his authority in seizing 650,000 ballots.
Supreme Court gives Trump an interim win on his mail voting order, but hurdles loom

The Supreme Court paused a lower court's ruling that blocked key parts of Trump's order to limit voting by mail for the midterms.

Listen 3:27
Becerra, running for governor of California, faces a health insurance problem

The nation's uninsured rate hit a historical low when Xavier Becerra was health secretary.
Proposed California wealth tax sparks debate: Will billionaires leave the state?

A proposed first-of-its kind tax would target California's nearly 250 billionaires in an effort to fund health care. If voters pass it, will the state's economy suffer?
Supreme Court allows Trump's ballroom construction to continue for now

The ruling comes after months of back-and-forth between the Trump administration and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Ninth Circuit rejects Trump admin efforts to stay order to immediately improve Adelanto conditions

The judges found that the government, which plans further appeal, is “ultimately responsible for ensuring that the conditions of confinement are constitutionally acceptable.”
A big change is coming to a deadly stretch of PCH in Huntington Beach

The 10-mile stretch of Highway 1 has seen frequent collisions between cyclists and vehicles.

Listen 0:43
Fullerton cuts nearly $7M in vacant positions, library program and more to balance budget

The city was looking at a multi-million dollar budget deficit.

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Civics & Democracy