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 close up of white U.S. Postal Service mail containers. The top container is full of green and white mail-in ballots as a worker's hand reaches in while wearing a blue glove.

Californians love mail-in voting. That may have to change come November

Voters could see a significant difference in how ballots are handled and counted by the next election.

This lawmaker’s proposal could make California ‘the most secretive state in the country’

Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco, a woman with medium skin tone, wearing a violet suit, holds a packet of papers.

LA City Council places non-citizen voting proposal, police reform on November ballot

A row of American flags hang from a gray building against a sunny sky. A tall gray building is visible beyond in an angle looking up.

Senate postpones confirmation hearing for intel chief after Trump's call to delay

Listen 3:43

Senate postpones confirmation hearing for intel chief after Trump's call to delay

Listen 3:45

More Stories

Older, white Angelenos are joining Latino volunteers to monitor ICE raids

The rapid response group, Unión del Barrio, has seen a huge spike of new volunteers after two high-profile killings in Minnesota.
Mayor Bass pushes back on Trump’s vow to make LA 'safe'

President Donald Trump said in his State of the Union address he would make L.A. 'safe' ahead of the Olympics — triggering a quick response from Mayor Karen Bass.

Listen 0:43
The Democratic response to Trump teases the fight to come in midterm elections

The newly elected governor of Virginia focused the Democratic response around affordability, a central issue to her party's campaign to win back the House this fall.
Read NPR's annotated fact check of President Trump's State of the Union

As President Trump delivered his State of the Union address, reporters from across NPR's newsroom, are fact checking his speech and offer context.
5 takeaways from Trump's State of the Union address

President Trump hit familiar notes on immigration and culture, but he largely underplayed the economic problems that voters say they are most concerned about.
No mayor, no city council and a call for better representation? What it means to be unincorporated

East LA is the most populous unincorporated community in the state. Here’s what that means and how it affects the nearly 119,000 residents.
What you need to know about tonight's State of the Union address

The prime-time address is a chance for the president to tout his record ahead of this year's midterm elections.
A new lawsuit alleges DHS illegally tracked and intimidated observers

Observers watching federal immigration enforcement in Maine who were told by agents they were "domestic terrorists" are now part of a new federal class action lawsuit.

Listen 3:42
Gavin Newsom says he's 'punching a bully back' when he trolls Trump

What does the Democratic leader see for himself in the years to come?

Listen 8:17
US Supreme Court says no to taking up Huntington Beach's appeal to defy state housing law

The nation's top court let's a lower court ruling stand. Now the city faces a looming deadline to plan for more than 13,000 homes.
California Democrats back establishment candidates despite progressive pushback

California Democrats endorsed aging incumbents and party insiders over grassroots challengers, disappointing progressives.
Poll: Most say the state of the union is not strong and the US is worse off

Ahead of the State of the Union address on Tuesday, evidence continues to mount that President Donald Trump is facing political headwinds.

Listen 3:41

Hey, LA listener!

Civics & Democracy