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 child holding a folder looks towards the camera as they stand in the distance next to two adults.

California courts will begin tracking ICE arrests at their facilities

The rule being considered comes as immigration arrests rise at state courts, discouraging victims, witnesses and others from showing up, according to lawyers and advocates.

California election officials face false choice: Count votes quickly or count them right

A group of people with multiple USPS boxes filled with ballots inspect and pull from those boxes. They sit in a warehouse.

Billionaire blitz: Steyer’s $132M campaign dwarfs rivals in California governor race

Tom Steyer, a man with light skin tone, gray hair, wearing a dark blue suit, speaks into a handheld microphone as something in the foreground partially covers the frame on the right side.

Rivals target Steyer, Becerra in debate as California governor race tightens

Six people stand behind podiums in a tv studio with lights beaming on them and the background.

Senate votes to kickstart partisan funding process for ICE. Here's how that works

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Measure E: Parcel tax to raise funds for Los Angeles County Fire Department

"Additional revenue is desperately needed by the fire district," says Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.
LA City Charter Amendment HH: City governance, appointments, and elections

Should the City Controller be able to audit contractors? Should harbor commissioners be from specific neighborhoods? This hodgepodge of charter amendments is meant to clarify rules that have caused confusion or to set new rules to address problems.
LA City Charter Amendment II: City administration and operations

Should city departments be allowed to sell food? Should the airport commission be allowed to set fees for ground transportation at LAX? This group of charter amendments is meant to clarify and update rules on city operations.
Measure G: Expanding the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

It's a proposal to dramatically change the way Los Angeles County government operates.
California Proposition 36: Increases criminal penalties for certain drug and theft crimes

The measure comes in response to an increase in high-profile “smash-and-grab” robberies and the fentanyl crisis.
Measure A: Raising LA County's sales tax to fund homelessness efforts

Will L.A. voters decide to raise their taxes — again — to amp up the fight to reduce homelessness?
California Proposition 32: Raising statewide minimum wage

The proposal would raise the minimum wage from the current $16 an hour to $18. Yearly increases from there would be tied to the consumer price index.
California Proposition 6: Prohibit forced labor

The measure would amend the state constitution to prohibit any form of forced labor or servitude, which is currently allowed as punishment for a crime.
LA City Council District 2

Current Councilmember Paul Krekorian can’t run again because of term limits. Candidates Jillian Burgos and Adrin Nazarian are facing off for the seat.
LA City Council: Who's running in the Nov. 5 general election and why it matters

Your overview to the L.A. City Council races and issues in the Nov. 5 general election. On the ballot: Districts 2, 10 and 14.
California State Assembly: Who's running on Nov. 5 and why it matters

State lawmakers draft and pass laws that govern the entire state. Here's a look at the Los Angeles and Orange county candidates on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Latinos are being targeted with election disinformation. Here's how Angelenos are fighting back

L.A. groups are teaching basic computer skills to help residents spot fake election news.

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Civics & Democracy