The Power of Local Races
by Regina Zweng
Local elections matter!
Local races in LA County can be won or lost by just a few hundred votes – equivalent to just a few UCLA lecture halls. Voting and getting your friends to vote in local elections could make a very impactful difference in our city. This is especially true now, where local legislation and leadership are shaping the impact of COVID-19 on Angelenos in the absence of sound national and state leadership.
It is understandable why people may skip these down-ballot races. Major media outlets focus on national politics, and the workings of local governments can be challenging to navigate.
The principle and priorities of those we elect to local offices (i.e., District Attorney, Board of Supervisors) dictate the principles and priorities of our city. COVID-19 highlights our susceptibility to different responses when people in power fail to prioritize evidence-based policy and public health. Our unhoused neighbors could have been provided temporary hotel rooms (a measure enacted but underutilized) and true eviction moratoriums could have been provided so that people could remain sheltered in place. These and other suggestions were put forth by coalitions and groups like Healthy LA and BLM-LA, and while they achieved some wins like free COVID-19 testing sites, very few of their proposals were realized to their full potential.
More recently, fires and heat waves have burdened residents of LA with unhealthy air quality and life-threatening heat. Once again, our city has the power and responsibility to enact policies that will prioritize public health. For example, during labor day weekend, at least 3 unhoused people died due to heat with 15 cases still under investigation. Cooling centers went under-utilized due to a lack of promotional effort and the fear of losing belongings during city “sweeps” (where unhoused people’s belongings, including tents, medication, toiletries, etc., are confiscated by the city).
COVID-19, fires, and heat waves have affected and will continue to affect our city. The city is faced with the task of providing relief from these and other crises. As the November election rolls around, we have a chance to elect people who prioritize evidence-based policy and public health.
To aid people further in feeling confident in voting in local elections, here is a brief overview of some of the positions in local government on the ballot this year:
Board of Supervisors
Duties:
Designates budget for LA county including health and social services, the sheriff’s department, homeless services, parks and recreation, and more
Votes on which county ballot measures move through to a countywide vote
Determines regulations for oil and gas facilities in unincorporated areas
Recent Decisions:
Voted to allow Measure J (investing in alternatives to incarceration) to be on the November ballot
Formed “Just transition Task Force” to clean up old oil wells
District Attorney
Duties:
Decides whether or not to file criminal charges and which charges to file, including in cases with law enforcement
Can recommend whether or not to require bail for pretrial release
Makes sentencing recommendations to judge after conviction
Recent Decisions:
In the past 7 years, no police officer has been criminally charged for any of the over 600 people killed by police
In 2016, the DA’s office filed criminal charges against SoCal Gas for the Aliso Canyon gas leak
City Council
Duties:
Approves or modifies the mayor’s proposed budget for the city of Los Angeles
Confirms or rejects appointments proposed by the mayor
Levies taxes and authorizes public improvement projects
Adopts traffic regulations
Recent Decisions:
Approved mayor’s budget, but with a $150 million reduction from the mayor’s proposal in the police budget
Certified Port of Los Angeles supplemental impact report by scaling back clean air regulations
Board of Education
Duties:
Oversees Los Angeles Unified School District affairs, personnel, and properties
Appoints superintendent
Approves budgets and sets spending priorities
Approves textbooks and other materials
Determines school openings and closures
Recent Decisions:
This summer, they voted to cut the Los Angeles School Police budget by 35% and reinvest those funds for resources for Black and brown students
Sheriff*
Duties:
Commands Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD)
Operates County Jail System
Recent Events
Sheriff Villanueva has been asked to resign by Civilian Oversight Commission Board members and two members of the Board of Supervisors
Criticized for slowing the implementation of reforms, use of force against protesters, and mishanding investigation into the killing of Andres Guardado
Mayor*
Duties:
Proposes budget to be approved by city council
Makes appointments for city commissioners and chief of police
Recent Decisions:
Recently proposed new budget including cuts to all departments excluding the Los Angeles Police Force
Ordered stay-at-home orders during COVID-19 pandemic
Made decisions on which businesses were to reopen and how soon
*Not voted on this year, but will be in the future!
