A lot of LA County candidates are running unopposed. What that means for you

Many people seeking elected office in Los Angeles County are running unopposed this November compared to four years ago — about 87% more, according to data from the county Registrar of Voters.

While it’s not unusual to see races with only one candidate, it does raise questions about why it's happening: Are people losing interest? Do other responsibilities, like child care and salary needs, stop them from running? Are they dissuaded by the current political climate?

Whatever the answers, the result means voters won’t have a choice about who fills seats on a variety of government bodies, including school districts, water districts and city councils, all of which affect residents’ daily lives.

Antwone Roberts, director of democracy and equity for California Community Foundation, told LAist that civic engagement isn’t just about getting involved when an election is approaching.

“It's really understanding how being civically engaged becomes a tool for the betterment of the individual and the community at large,” he said.

Some experts say there are parts of Southern California that are known as “civic deserts,” areas that have disproportionately low participation in local elections when compared to the county at large.

Roberts noted that this disparity can make it more difficult to address severe inequities and systemic problems.

Which L.A. races are impacted

This year, there are 144 local races in which a candidate is running unopposed, according to the Registrar’s Office. In November 2020, there were 77 unopposed candidates on the ballot, including two races with no candidates at all.

This issue isn’t confined to L.A. County, said Neal Kelley, former registrar of voters for Orange County. It’s seen across Southern California.

“It's certainly a lot more common than the general public is probably aware of,” he told LAist.

The seats in which only one candidate is seeking office include:

• 95 school district races in L.A. County, including seats in Burbank, El Segundo, Palmdale, and West Covina
• 3 state water district races in Walnut Valley
• 10 county water district races
• 10 municipal water district races
• 4 water agency races in Antelope Valley-East Kern 
• 11 city-level races, including council seats in Glendora and Santa Clarita
• 8 irrigation district races
• 1 health district race for Beach Cities
• 1 library district race for Altadena
• 1 recreation and park district race for Westfield 

Local government races, rather than national ones, have a much larger impact on our everyday lives. These elected officials are who’s making decisions about housing, parks, and the kind of things that affect a neighborhood on a day-to-day basis.

A polling station worker prepares to hand out 'I Voted' stickers in Burbank, California.

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Justin Sullivan

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Getty Images North America

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Why are there so many unopposed seats?

Experts say there are many reasons why people may not be running for elected office — including transportation issues, child care concerns, and work responsibilities.

Christian Grose, a political science professor at the University of Southern California, told LAist that fewer people may be interested in running for office because they don’t see local politics as a sustainable career option.

The pay can be low, and the jobs can be time-consuming and difficult. For example, Downey City Council members made nearly $12,000 last year, and Burbank City Council members earn around $19,000 in regular pay, according to the State Controller’s Office.

A candidate who comes from a lower-income community, for example, may not be able to afford to take on the expense of running for office or the ability to take a job that pays less than others.

The political climate can also have an effect, especially as personal attacks and public feuds seem to become increasingly common.

“It's always a conflict,” Kelley said. “But at the end of the day, that's what politics is, right? It's consensus and sometimes it is conflict. So I think it does impact it for sure.”

Almaluz Miranda, left, talks to Julia Brito, right, at the Boyle Heights Senior Center.

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Allen J. Schaben

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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

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Grose added that many local newsrooms have shuttered, and more news outlets are focusing on directing their stories to a national audience. That drop in coverage and attention to issues closer to home can affect interest, and awareness, in local governance.

H. Eric Schockman, a professor emeritus at Woodbury University in Burbank, agrees.

He told LAist that the media, often referred to as the fourth branch of government, has been “swatted away” — meaning its access and impact for some audiences has weakened — which affects democracy. Younger audiences may be used to getting information for free, and everyone has fewer places to go to for the information they need to stay informed.

“And that is such a scandal,” he said. “We all know it, but we don't admit it because everybody wants news cheap.”

What about ‘civic deserts’

Roberts said the California Community Foundation has identified “civic deserts” in Southern California, areas that have disproportionately low participation when compared to the county at large.

They include South, East, and Southeast L.A., as well as the San Fernando, San Gabriel, and Antelope valleys.

Broadly speaking, Roberts said, participation has been statistically lower among historically underrepresented communities, including Black, Latino, Indigenous, and Asian American and Pacific Islander populations.

Research has shown that people are more likely to engage if they have a direct call to action from someone they trust, whether that’s a local elected official or community-based organization.

A flag is taped to the door as voters cast their ballots at the Boyle Heights Senior Center.

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Allen J. Schaben

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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

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“When elected officials represent the diversity of their constituents, they're more likely and better positioned to really champion equitable policies that address those systemic inequities,” he said.

Civic engagement is the backbone of a healthy democracy, and Roberts noted that more people participating strengthens representation, increases diversity, and fosters a more inclusive political process.

How to get involved

If you’re curious about running for office, experts say start off by seeing who is in the seat, study the issues, do some research, and meet voters.

Going to the city council or district meetings, engaging in public comment, and talking to your elected officials are also important stepping stones. You can see if there’s a need that's not being met in the community in which you could make a difference.

A lot of people who end up running for local office get started because they’re unhappy with something, or their elected official isn’t responsive to their concerns, Grose said.

But you have to be engaged to figure out what matters.

Roberts recommends looking at civic engagement as a spectrum, not just voting or running for office. That can include going to community events, connecting with service organizations, or participating in other opportunities, like the census, as a jumping off point.

Find what lights a fire in your belly, and follow your passions. Realize that you can have a bigger role to play, and identify what you can offer the people around you, not just those who support you.

LAist also has the voter guides you need to make your most-informed vote ever, and you can access all of them here.