Would amend the City Charter to establish an independent redistricting commission to redraw Council district lines every ten years in the City of Los Angeles. This Charter amendment will become effective if approved by a majority of voters.
Fiscal Impact: Partial year costs are anticipated beginning in 2028-29. The impact to the City’s General Fund is estimated at $1,163,746 in 2028-2029. Full year costs for 2029-30 are estimated at $2,405,256. Cumulative costs over the life of the commission are anticipated to be approximately $6,154,130.
Next Los Angeles County Measure: Measure FF
Pro:
Supporters argue that for 100 years, Los Angeles City Councilmembers have had the last word on drawing their own district lines. Too often, they’ve used that power to draw districts that bolster their own chances of re-election, regardless of the impacts on our neighborhoods and communities. For the first time in our city’s history, CHARTER AMENDMENT DD will take that power away from elected officials and instead create an Independent Redistricting Commission for the City. Two years ago, this city was shaken by scandal when a few Councilmembers were recorded trying to game the redistricting process for themselves while diluting the power of entire communities. CHARTER AMENDMENT DD will stop that kind of backroom dealing.
A YES vote on this measure means you support establishing an independent redistricting commission to redraw Council district lines.
Con:
No official argument against Measure DD was submitted.
A NO vote on this measure means you oppose establishing an independent redistricting commission to redraw Council district lines.
The City of Los Angeles (City) Charter (Charter) establishes the process by which Council District boundaries in the City are drawn every ten years and adopted by ordinance following the federal census. Subsequently, those Council District boundaries are used for Council member elections, recalls, and for filling Council vacancies. Currently, an appointed advisory commission recommends to the Council changes to those boundaries during the redistricting process. Final District boundary decisions are made by the Council and Mayor.
This measure would amend the Charter by requiring the establishment of an Independent Redistricting Commission (Commission) with the powers, duties, and responsibilities to adopt Council District boundaries every ten years following each federal census. The Commission would be required to draw Council District boundaries in compliance with the United States Constitution, California Constitution, and federal Voting Rights Act, as well as follow the redistricting criteria and process set forth in the Charter and by other City law.
The Commission would be required to act in an impartial manner in the development of Council District boundaries without involvement by elected officials. The final Council District boundaries would be approved solely by the Commission. The Commission would also educate and inform the public about redistricting; conduct public meetings and hearings; receive and consider public input; make recommendations to the Mayor, Council, and Ethics Commission regarding the redistricting process; and perform other redistricting functions as set forth by City law. A Commission member would be prohibited from communicating with an individual or organization regarding redistricting matters outside of a public meeting.
The Commission would be selected without involvement by elected officials and consist of 16 members and four alternates. The Commission would be established every ten years after each federal census and no later than April 1 of each year ending in the number zero. Each member of the Commission would begin their term on the date of selection and expire upon the selection of the succeeding Commission’s first member. The qualifications and restrictions of Commission members include the following:
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Be at least 18 years old and a resident of the City at the time of selection;
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Have resided in the City for at least five years immediately preceding the person’s submission of an application;
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Demonstrate collaborative skills, experience in civic engagement, and the ability to analyze complex data;
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A person is not required to be a registered voter or a citizen of the United States;
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A person cannot be an employee of the City or a City Commissioner for at least two years preceding submission of an application;
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A person or person’s spouse or family cannot be engaged in prior political lobbying activities described in the California Elections Code provisions regarding eligibility requirements for independent redistricting commissions;
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Commission members are required to file a statement of economic interests and other financial disclosures;
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While serving on the Commission, a person cannot endorse, work for, volunteer for, or make a campaign contribution to, any elected City officer or candidate for elective City office, or serve on a redistricting commission for any other governing body;
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A Commissioner may be removed for substantial neglect of duty or other misconduct in office by a two-thirds vote of the Commission, which may be appealed to the City Ethics Commission;
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A City Data Bureau would be established to prepare and manage demographic and geographic data for the Commission and other City departments; and
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The City Clerk would manage the Commission application process, with the Ethics Commission providing oversight.
Source: Measure DD Impartial Analysis