Every 10 years, the entire country goes through a process called redistricting to redraw the maps that determine each district. As communities get smaller or bigger, and people move in and out, it is important that the districts are defined fairly and equally with the updated population sizes. According to the U.S. Constitution, all electoral districts within a given redistricting map must contain approximately the same number of people. The maps drawn will determine the allocation of political power and representation at every level of government (city, county, state and federal) across the nation for at least the next ten years.
Why should I care about redistricting?
Where district lines are drawn may determine where residents can vote, whom they can vote for, and even how responsive elected officials are to their requests.
Past redistricting efforts have divided Asian, Black, and Latino communities to prevent them from electing their own representatives. The maps were drawn so that communities of color were split up in ways that they never had a majority – and thus, could never vote for one of their own people.
Representation is power. Who represents you in City Hall can mean more affordable housing, cleaner streets, and better parks. And making sure your district is drawn in a way that gives you fair representation can make a big difference for you and your family.
How can I participate in the redistricting process?
Before the lines are redrawn the Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission will conduct a series of 17 public hearings. There will be one for each city council district and two city-wide meetings.
The Commission is committed to conducting an open and transparent process that respects the voices of all of LA’s residents. There are several ways you can participate:
Attend a Public Hearing: Attend one of 17 redistricting public hearings, which will be held virtually between July 1, 2021, and September 11, 2021. Here is the link: bit.ly/LACCRCZoom To listen only: Call 1-669-254-5252, enter 161 545 4787#
Submit Written Testimony: Tell us what makes up your community by going to or emailing us at: bit.ly/lacitycoi
You are also welcome to draw your own map for the Commission to review by visiting our website –
LACCRC2021.org
I’ve heard it doesn’t matter whether or not I participate because the maps are already drawn. Is that true? No, that is not true. You may see maps emerge during our initial public hearings. These are not official maps. They are maps created by communities of interest or other interested parties and may be taken into account as we redraw the city council district lines. The City of Los Angeles Redistricting Commission has not developed any maps. Anyone can submit a map for our consideration by going to LACCRC2021.org. The public input phase of the process will take place in October.
What is redistricting?
Every person in the City of Los Angeles lives in a city council district, which is defined by certain streets and neighborhoods. We have the opportunity to elect a city council
member based on what district we live in. For example – Boyle Heights, Pacoima, Venice, or South LA are each in different council districts, and residents in those communities
vote for different people to represent them.
Who decides how the districts are drawn?
The Mayor and City Council have appointed an advisory citizens commission to advise them how to draw new districts that reflect the interests of the hundreds of communities in Los Angeles that make it unique. The 21-member commission is made up of diverse citizens from every part of the city. The Commission is committed to making sure that everyone has equal and fair representation in City Hall.
Once the Commission has completed the public hearings, we will take the information you provide along with the data from the Federal Government’s census efforts, and draw new maps. When we have finished the maps, they will be presented to the community online via public hearings to ensure we get your feedback. We will then revise the maps and send them to the City Council for approval.
You will be able to participate in every step of the process, including when the maps go to the City Council for approval. I’ve never participated in this process before, how can I make a difference? Representation matters, especially on the City Council. City council members make most of the decisions about resources and amenities that impact your daily life. They are responsible for building roads, providing public transportation, providing fire protection and a police force, supplying affordable housing, maintaining parks, and many other resources that make a city function. If you can’t hold your City Council representative accountable, then it will be hard to get the resources your
neighborhood needs to thrive. Use your voice to make the City Council accountable to you and join with others in making a difference in your community.
How do I give testimony if I don’t really understand the process?
Testifying is easy – just think about your neighborhood and what is special about it:
Let us know about the shopping districts, schools, parks, churches, and ethnic communities that make your
neighborhood unique.
Tell us what streets and geographic boundaries define your community ( for example, Wilshire blvd. or the LA River).
Explain why it is important for your community to remain whole.
Where can I go to learn more about redistricting?
You can visit our website at: LACCRC2021.org for more information. In addition, Common Cause has a variety of detailed materials that explain the redistricting process in a way that is easy to understand. You can check them out at: https://www.commoncause.org/california/page/local-redistricting-2021/
How do I know that my community will be listened to?
Many of our Commissioners come from communities that were separated by political lines. We understand that representation matters, so we are committed to a fair and transparent process that respects and honors diverse communities. We will provide ample time and multiple opportunities for you to participate. Let us know what is important to you and your family. You won’t have this opportunity for another 10 years.
I keep hearing the term community of interest, what does that mean?
A community of interest is a neighborhood or group of people who have common policy concerns and would benefit from being maintained in a single district. If you belong to a group of neighbors who are advocating for a new park in your area, or a cultural committee organizing cultural festivities like Fiestas Patrias, or the Lunar New Year Parade – then you are a community of interest.
