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Residents like you — not politicians — will now control redistricting in LA
A person drops off their voting ballot in the ballot drop box outside the Arroyo Seco Regional Library in Los Angeles on Nov. 5, 2024.
(
Zaydee Sanchez
/
LAist
)
This is an excerpt from Make It Make Sense, our pop-up newsletter on the 2024 election. If you want updates on election results and what they mean for your life, sign up here.
It was clear on Election Night that L.A. City Charter amendments DD and LL would pass by overwhelming margins, creating the first independent redistricting commissions for the city of L.A. and the L.A. Unified School District.
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Scott Schmerelson was unanimously elected Tuesday to lead the LAUSD board after defeating a well-funded challenger in November’s election. -
Nguyen was able to take office weeks early to fill the vacancy caused Do’s resignation. -
Nathan Hochman succeeds George Gascón, known as the godfather of progressive prosecutors.
What does that mean?
Their passage means that elected officials can no longer appoint members to the commissions in charge of drawing new district boundaries. Instead, these commissions will be made up of L.A. residents that have no direct or recent ties to elected officials, lobbying or city employment.
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Residents like you.
When will this happen?
While this is a momentous shift, changes won’t happen for several more years. Commission members will likely be chosen around 2028 or 2029. Redistricting happens every 10 years after the U.S. Census is conducted — the next one is set for 2030. The first election under redrawn districts will likely happen in 2032.
How you can get involved
The L.A. City Clerk will create an application process and choose half the commission members from a lottery. Those chosen will then be tasked with picking the remaining members, looking out for diversity in age, race, income and other factors. Commission members must be 18 or older and have lived in L.A. for at least five years — they don’t have to be registered voters or U.S. citizens.
Does this really matter?
If you’re wondering why putting redistricting into residents’ hands matters, remember that redistricting centers around the question: Who gets chosen to make decisions over your daily life in L.A.? District boundaries determine who votes along with you to choose your district’s elected officials, be it your city council member or school board representative. The boundaries also decide what businesses, landmarks, institutions or parks are included in each district, which can give representatives additional bargaining power over legislation or policies.
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That’s why when city officials were caught in the 2022 City Hall leaked tape scandal trying to use redistricting for their own personal gain, the outcry spurred the movement for this year’s reform measures.
Who else uses this method?
L.A. County and Long Beach already have independent redistricting commissions in place. A 2023 state law created an independent commission for Orange County as well. Most other cities have city officials or appointed commissioners handle redistricting. You can look up your city’s government website to see who handles its redistricting process and how those decision-makers are chosen.
What questions do you have about this election?
You ask, and we'll answer: Whether it's about how to interpret the results or track your ballot, we're here to help you understand the 2024 general election on Nov. 5.
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Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
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