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What’s your voting plan + thoughts on noncitizen voting?
Los Angeles city voters have some races to consider for the upcoming June primary.
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Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
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What’s your voting plan + thoughts on noncitizen voting?
Topline:
Ballots have begun arriving in the mailboxes of registered voters in California. Voters now have until June 2 to fill out their ballot and return it. If your vote-by-mail ballot is postmarked by election day and received within seven days, it will be counted.
Also: Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez released a long-shot proposal last week to ask voters in this year’s upcoming election to give the City Council the ability to let noncitizens vote in future city elections. A similar proposal made it to the ballot in Santa Ana back in 2024 but was rejected by voters.
Voter Game Plan: Figure out who and what is on your ballot with the LAist voter game plan.
Join the conversation:
- When do you think is the best time to vote and why? And… what do you think about noncitizen voting in L.A.? Give us a call at 866-893-5722, or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
Building a tolerance for uncertainty
Topline:
The future is always uncertain, and that lack of control is difficult for most people to tolerate. Author and journalist Simone Stolzoff wants to help guide people toward building a tolerance for the unknown.
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The book: HOW TO NOT KNOW: The Value of Uncertainty In a World That Demands Answers (W. W. Norton & Company, 2026) draws on psychology, philosophy, economics and more. It publishes on May 12. Stolzoff will be discussing the book at UC San Diego on May 18.
Guest:
- Simone Stolzoff, journalist and author of the new book HOW TO NOT KNOW: The Value of Uncertainty In a World That Demands Answers (W. W. Norton & Company; May 12, 2026)
Here’s what to know about the LA City primary races
Topline:
Los Angeles city voters have some races to consider for the upcoming June primary. We’re rounding up what’s on the ballot.
Why now: Mail-in ballots have been making their way to residents since May 1st.
What you can vote on: There are eight city district races, three citywide tax measures, and elections for city controller and city attorney.
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Where to learn more: Find detailed guides on L.A. City, L.A. County, and Orange County races as part of LAist’s Voter Game Plan.
Guests:
- Makenna Cramer, LAist reporter who's written about the races for L.A. city controller and city attorney
- Robert Greene, independent reporter who's written about the L.A. city council races and tax measures
SoCal History: California’s counterculture nuns
Topline:
Southern California was at the forefront of the 1960s counterculture movement. Hippies, Indian gurus, and Scientologists were among the prominent groups seeking a newfound spirituality, but it was a local nunhood that came to challenge the Catholic hierarchy of the time.
Immaculate Heart Sisters: Originally founded in Spain in 1848, the Immaculate Heart Sisters flourished in Southern California in the 1960s after an invitation from the bishop in California brought 10 sisters to the United States. Led by broad-minded mother superiors, almost 200 sisters worked in LA’s Catholic schools, known for their diverse perspectives.
Guest:
- Diane Winston, Knight Chair in Media and Religion for the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at USC
LACMA’s new Geffen galleries open to the public
Topline:
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Last month, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art opened its new gallery to members. Now it’s open to the public. We talk to LACMA’s chief executive officer about the construction process, what viewers can expect, and how the new space has been received so far.
The architecture: Designed by architect Peter Zumthor, who conceptualized the concrete structure and its floor-to-ceiling windows.
Inspiration for the installation: Curators used the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea, as a starting point for the art and civilizations they wanted to highlight.
More info: The Geffen Galleries is now open to the public. Go to lacma.org to learn more about the gallery and its hours.
Guest:
- Michael Govan, CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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