As a result of the completed 2020 U.S. Census, all of WSSM’s electoral districts – City Council (CD5), County Supervisorial (SD3), State and Federal offices – are currently undergoing the process of redrawing boundaries. The power of our votes and resulting representation will be strengthened or diluted – all depending upon how our new district boundaries are shaped. To make sure our priorities and interests have strong influence on our representation in government, we need to take action – NOW!
What is redistricting?
Every ten years, following the federal census, all governments – local, state and federal — must redraw boundaries for all representational election districts (those whose public officials are elected by the vote of that district’s residents). The revised districts’ borders are based on regional population changes and related demographic shifts.
In order to complete this legally mandated requirement — and to reflect the updated population counts — our state, county, city and school districts have established several commissions charged with drawing the new boundaries. Existing districts — such our neighborhood’s current L.A. City Council District 5 — could be expanded, shifted or even eliminated.
What is WSSM doing to provide input?
WSSM is committed to contributing input to the commissions and reflecting our homeowners’ interests. As individual citizens and community organizations we must express our positions regarding our existing districts; our future affiliation with like-minded neighborhoods and communities moving forward; and advocate for specific district boundaries. To that end, WSSM leadership has committed to:
- Proposing our community be grouped with associated communities that have similar interests and concerns
- Supporting efforts by the Westside Neighborhood Council (WNC) and its affiliated HOAs to keep WNC communities wholly within a single City Council, County Supervisorial, State Assembly, State Senate and Congressional district
- Advocating that WSSM and WNC-related association be with neighborhoods north of Santa Monica Blvd and of Wilshire due to residents who are employed by or have other longstanding ties to UCLA-related businesses/services and the campus community.
What can I do to become involved?
By clicking on the link below for the appropriate redistricting commission, one can sign-up for regular email updates, review outreach materials and public hearing schedules, understand the decision-making process, and find out how to provide input — either by email or by “attending” a virtual meeting online via Zoom.
City of Los Angeles – City Council Redistricting Commission (WSSM – CD5)
http://redistricting2021.lacity.org/LACCRC/index.html
City of Los Angeles – Los Angeles Unified School District Redistricting Commission (WSSM – Local District West)
http://redistricting2021.lacity.org/LAUSDRC/index.htm
Los Angeles County Citizens Redistricting Commission (WSSM – SD3)
https://redistricting.lacounty.gov/
California Citizens Redistricting Commission (WSSM -State Assembly 34/Senate 30, U.S. House of Representatives 37, State Board of Equalization 3)
https://www.wedrawthelinesca.org/
Joseph Roth sits on the Board of WSSM. He also serves on the Board of the Westside Neighborhood Council (Seat 18). For further information on how to get involved in our area redistricting decision making process, email him at joseph.at.wssm@gmail.com.