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

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More Stories

LA couple on Rob and Michele Reiner’s hands-on defense of gay marriage

The local plaintiffs who challenged Prop. 8 explain how the Reiners helped restore marriage equality in the state.

Listen 0:48
NPR analysis shows skyrocketing number of 'no-shows' in immigration court

More immigrants are not showing up for their mandatory immigration court hearings compared to prior years, an NPR analysis shows.

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New California law bans federal agents from wearing masks in showdown over immigration raids

The Trump administration is suing to block a new California that would ban federal law enforcement officers from wearings masks on duty.
Rep. Jimmy Gomez inspects ICE facility in LA during unannounced visit

The U.S. representative from L.A. made an unannounced visit to downtown immigration detention center after a recent court ruling.
Trump suspends US green card lottery after Brown University and MIT shootings

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post that, at Trump's direction, she is ordering the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to pause the program.
Justice Department official says full Epstein files won't come by Friday deadline

Friday is the deadline for the government to release files related to the life and death of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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Anaheim put $17M in spending on credit cards since 2023. Here's how that breaks down

Monthly billing statements show purchases from Target, Walmart, Amazon and other vendors. LAist requested the records amid city oversight concerns.
LA City Councilmember John Lee faces $138K ethics fine over Vegas trip

The L.A. City Ethics Commission said Lee accepted lavish gifts from men who sought business with the city.

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Trump admin has all but stopped reuniting detained migrant children with their families

Government sources say that for the last six weeks, they’ve been ordered not to release undocumented children in federal custody to their parents and relatives.
Lone FCC Democrat warns of political pressure on media if agency loses independence

The only Democrat on the Federal Communications Commission says chairman's belief that the FCC isn't independent leaves news media vulnerable to political pressure.

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With costs a growing worry for Americans, Trump seeks to defend his economic record

Trump broke little new ground, restating messages: that economic problems can be blamed on Joe Biden, and that his second term has been a massive success.

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Trump's economic approval hits a new low at 36%, poll finds

A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds 70% of Americans say things have become too unaffordable.

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Civics & Democracy