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.
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.
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.
Support for LAist comes from
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.
Support for LAist comes from
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.
Did LAist help you vote? Member support made these voter guides possible.
Our election coverage is focused on you: helping you understand the results of these races and their impact on our everyday lives. And we don’t stop there, even after results are in, you need a source of trusted reporting that will hold those in power to account and shine a light on issues important to our communities.
Even after the last ballot is cast, LAist reporting and voting guides are here for you. But we need to hear from you now with your support to know that this work we’re doing is important.
We cannot do this essential work without your help. We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
At a time when the need for local journalism has never been greater, many newsrooms are facing cutbacks, including LAist. Member support — your support — is what will sustain a free press in Southern California.
LAist’s mission is to be here for you, so please be here for us now with a donation to power our trusted local reporting. Step up right now and make the choice to give. Because that’s exactly what it is — a choice. It's a choice with consequences. If readers do not choose to step up and donate, the future of fact-based news in Southern California will not be as strong.
No matter what happens in the world, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust.
Thank you for your generous support.
Sincerely,
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
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.
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
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist