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.

The Justice Department is linking public safety money to immigration enforcement

The Justice Department is offering grants to cities and police departments across the country, but recipients must cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

Listen 3:58

LA man's case highlights gaps in care and oversight at DHS detention centers

Listen 4:55

Two men stand outside, one holds a decree.

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

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.

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.

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Judge pauses parts of Trump's sweeping executive order on voting

A federal judge has paused a key section of President Trump's executive order that makes sweeping changes to voting and elections.
Want to know how much you paid for LA city services this year? Try our calculator

Get your personal tax receipt for the city's spending.
Prosecutors are revisiting their plea deal with Andrew Do, OC supervisor says

Do is scheduled to be sentenced in June to up to five years in federal prison. County supervisors voted 4-1 to call for a tougher sentence.
'PORN' signs divide an Orange County city already on edge

The libraries have been a center of controversy since proud MAGA conservatives gained control of city government.
Trump fires more immigration judges even as he aims to increase deportations

Getting rid of judges adds to criticism of the Trump administration for not giving migrants or noncitizens enough due process before they're deported.
A Fox News host? A sheriff? Is there a Republican who can finally win statewide in California again?

Republican candidates Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco want to make California golden again.
LA Mayor Karen Bass' budget calls for over 1,600 city workers to be laid off

The layoffs would occur across a range of departments and affect city services. The proposal would also eliminate a number of vacant positions.
Special interests poured more than half a billion dollars into California lobbying last year

Google, oil companies and utilities helped push California lobbying to a record $540 million in 2024, up 10% from the year before.
California Republicans want to get tougher on crime. Are Democrats shifting their way?

After voters approved Proposition 36 last year, some Republican lawmakers are seeing greater support for tougher parole rules.
Tariffs threaten to push auto insurance rates even higher

Between the slate of tariffs currently in effect and proposed tariffs on car parts, the cost of car ownership is rising. And that's true even if you're not in the market for a vehicle.
5 takeaways from the week: Nearing a constitutional crisis?

The week was dominated by news about the Maryland man illegally deported to El Salvador. But there was also concern over tariffs and Robert F. Kennedy's work as Health and Human Services secretary.

Listen 5:07
Irvine has a new councilmember. Here's what they plan to do

The top vote-getter told LAist the second-place candidate called to concede the race.

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Civics & Democracy