Charter Amendment DD: An Independent Redistricting Commission for Los Angeles
A New Era of Redistricting in LA
Los Angeles voters will have the opportunity to make history this November with Charter Amendment DD, which would establish an independent redistricting commission to redraw the city's council districts after each census.
Currently, the redistricting process is controlled by the City Council, which has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. This has led to gerrymandering, the practice of drawing district lines to favor particular political parties or groups.
Charter Amendment DD would change that by creating a 14-member commission composed of randomly selected citizens. The commission would be responsible for drawing new district lines based on objective criteria, such as population, geography, and communities of interest.
Benefits of an Independent Redistricting Commission
An independent redistricting commission would provide several benefits for Los Angeles, including:
- Fairer elections: By eliminating gerrymandering, an independent commission would create more competitive elections and give all voters a fair chance to elect the candidates of their choice.
- Increased civic engagement: An independent commission would make the redistricting process more transparent and accountable, which would encourage civic engagement and build trust in government.
- Improved representation: An independent commission would draw district lines that better reflect the diversity of Los Angeles and ensure that all communities have a voice in city government.
Support for Charter Amendment DD
Charter Amendment DD has been endorsed by a wide range of organizations and individuals, including the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters, and the ACLU. The amendment is also supported by a majority of the City Council.
If approved by voters, Charter Amendment DD would be a major step forward for democracy in Los Angeles. It would create a fairer, more transparent, and more accountable redistricting process that would benefit all Angelenos.
Conclusion
Charter Amendment DD is a common-sense reform that would make Los Angeles a more democratic city. By creating an independent redistricting commission, the amendment would ensure that all voters have a fair chance to elect the candidates of their choice and that all communities have a voice in city government.
Voters should vote "yes" on Charter Amendment DD this November.
