By JOSE HERRERA | City News Service
A city of Los Angeles legislative analyst delivered an extensive outline on Monday, March 20, of proposals including an independent redistricting process and the feasibility of expanding the council — proposals born from a leaked, racist conversation featuring three council members discussing manipulation of the 2021 redistricting process.
The council’s ad hoc committee on Governance Reforms did not take a vote on any of the measures.
“It’s my intention that we don’t take any action on that item today, because we are planning to have a robust process of public input about the report, as well as you know, other input that third parties and stakeholders may have as to how to create the independent redistricting commission,” committee chair and Council President Paul Krekorian said.
John Wickham, assistant chief legislative analyst, gave a lengthy presentation to the committee, detailing several key components of the redistricting process and establishing an independent redistricting committee.
The council has already voted to begin the process of placing a measure on the 2024 ballot or sooner that would create an independent redistricting commission, a move that would require a voter-approved change to the city charter. Under the current redistricting process created in 1999, council members appoint representatives to a 21-member redistricting commission, which meets every 10 years to redraw council district boundaries.
The panel’s recommended lines, however, are then submitted to the city council, which makes the final determinations.
Wickham summarized what independent redistricting means, and how it’s being used throughout the state. According to Wickham, it’s complicated and structured differently in cities that have undergone the process.
According to Wickham, the city must comply with federal and state laws such as the Voting Rights Act, the California Elections Code and the California Fair Maps Act, but…
Read the full article here
