In 2022, leaked audio tapes exposed LA City Councilmembers' racist meddling with city redistricting processes to maintain the corrupt status quo and undermine renter power. Since then, LA Forward Institute has been part of the OUR LA and Fair Rep LA coalitions and advocated fiercely for policies that prevent corruption and make our government more democratic, responsive, and effective. This advocacy is already bearing fruit. This fall, Angelenos will be able to vote for Independent Redistricting Commissions to take over the process of drawing district lines for the LA City Council and the LAUSD School Board.

LA Forward Institute with OUR LA coalition partners at LA's first hearing on Council expansion in April 2023

We helped convince City Council to ensure that the independent redistricting will:

• Provide translation of materials and interpretation at public meetings, hearings, and workshops

• Enable non-citizens to serve as Redistricting Commissioners

• Give compensation to Redistricting Commissioners to make it possible for low-income Angelenos to serve.    

 BUT WE CAN'T STOP HERE -- HERE'S WHY AND OUR PLAN TO KEEP GOING

Unfortunately, LA City Council failed to take decisive action on expanding the size of council and making districts smaller, which is a top priority of LAFI and OUR LA. LA City has the largest council districts in the country -- 265,000 residents per each of the 15 districts. In contrast, the nation's two other largest cities -- New York City and Chicago have 51 and 50 council districts. The average number of residents per district in the country's largest cities is approximately 150,000 -- way lower than LA's. We're continuing the work to transform LA's antiquated system and make our government more representative and accessible. Watch this video, featuring our Deputy Director Godfrey Plata, sharing more about the problem and how we can guarantee that council expansion comes to the LA City ballot by 2026!

LA City Council has recently approved the formation of a Charter Commission that could entertain expansion of council as part of its work. However, members of the commission will largely be politically-appointed and its recommendations will have to be approved by City Council before they go to the ballot. 

That's why LAFI is preparing to be at table inside City Hall AND building an outside campaign to put Council Expansion and Charter Reform on the ballot ourselves, without waiting for City Council to act. If you've got questions or want to get involved hands-on, please email Godfrey directly at godfrey@laforward.org.

And if you have financial resources to support this work, we'd be grateful for your donations at https://www.laforward.institute/donate. We have options for giving online, via check, and through foundations and Donor Advised Funds. It's going to take a million dollars just to lay the groundwork for this transformative change, and every bit helps.