Please share your experience – use these hashtags: #PBI#CivicU#LAMayor#EmpowerLA#CivicEngagement#NeighborhoodCouncils Welcome to CivicU Let’s Get Social Mayor Eric Garcetti | | Pat Brown Institute | Raphael Sonenshein EmpowerLA | |

Los Angeles City Government And the Neighborhood Councils Raphael J. Sonenshein The Pat Brown Institute at Cal State LA Session Three: Moving the System April 15, 2015

Budget follow ups Police/Fire and Discretionary Funds – a clarification Of the city’s budget, roughly 69% is discretionary. Of this discretionary amount, 60.2% was allocated for police and fire in mayor’s proposed budget.

Part One: Los Angeles Elections The election system Who votes in LA elections? What accounts for low voter turnout? Who gets elected to office in LA, and who doesn’t? Who holds the most power in the electoral system?

Elections held in odd years (until 2020) Nonpartisan 18 electeds, with 3 citywide Elected school board, n=7 City clerk runs city elections (for now) No early voting

Los Angeles elections include some more than others Most likely voters: older, educated, homeowners Least likely voters: younger, renters, less educated Overall turnout is low, even in mayoral elections. But LA voter turnout remains high in presidential elections. Voters cast 18% of votes in 2012 presidential, but only 5% of city primary and 6% of city general election votes.

Office holding is not as diverse as it could be. Groups that came up through coalition politics decades ago have maintained their gains through today. Women’s representation has declined, only 1 of 18 city elected officials. Asian Americans have no electeds at all in LA city

LA’s Council Districts

Who has the most clout in elections and in government? Organized labor Business Political leaders Newspaper editorial pages New kids on the block: neighborhood councils (I’m quite serious) What are the sources of power?

Summary on city elections: What are the gaps? We have a big problem of voter turnout. Not just LA, but in all of Southern California. The election system works fairly well, but it is not always inclusive. City government can function whether or not it is engaging. Can neighborhood councils make a contribution to filling these gaps?

Part Two: Where do the neighborhood councils fit in? It’s about civic engagement, not just voting The NCs are not limited by the regular election system All roads lead to engagement

Voting is the end result of engagement Joining a neighborhood council Writing to an elected official Testifying at a public meeting Volunteering Attending a rally Those who are more likely to do these activities are also among the more likely voters. Homeowners are more interested in city politics than renters. Those over age 45 were twice as likely as under 45 to join a neighborhood council. Those with college degrees were 4 times as likely to attend a public meeting as those without college degrees. Source: PBI Who Votes in Los Angeles City Elections? 2014

Neighborhood councils are not limited by the city’s election system Undocumented residents cannot vote in city elections. Factors that make it difficult for some groups to win offices may not apply to NCs. Opportunities for experimenting with election rules NCs can reach youth. Redistricting is not an issue because NC districts can be of unequal population size. Can NC folks win city offices? Women’s equity study: 1 out of 18 city electeds are women Lack of candidates is a major problem. When women run, they can win. But 38% of neighborhood council board members are women. You are filling a gap!

All Roads Lead to Engagement Widening the circle; the unique NC potential Going beyond voting in city elections What is the function of NC elections? Showing people that they can make things work Becoming the authoritative voice on the neighborhood NCs as civic educators NCs as candidate incubators

Where do bylaws and NC funding fit in? There are no perfect by-laws. But…as long as they are clear, and they are followed, you’ll be OK. NC funding has to be strategic: how can it expand engagement, and build the authoritative voice of the NC? What’s a good meeting if engagement is the goal? “The Perfect is the Enemy of the Good.” Voltaire

Envisioning the Future of Neighborhood Councils in Los Angeles What people thought in 1999 Surviving was the first victory Challenges and happy surprises A dream for tomorrow: a city council meeting in 2020, with neighborhood councils engaged, listened to, and productive Never lose your edge; you’ll need it. CONGRATULATIONS! We’ve reached the end, or… is it the beginning?