LA's Council District 4, where I’m running, cuts through K-town, Mid-Wilshire, Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Los Feliz, Hollywood and Silver Lake.
This wasn’t always the case! CD4’s been wildly gerrymandered over the years. Here’s how it’s changed, and why we need reform. (thread)
This wasn’t always the case! CD4’s been wildly gerrymandered over the years. Here’s how it’s changed, and why we need reform. (thread)
When Harold Henry was elected to CD4 in 1945, the district was square and compact, bounded by Fountain Ave, Wilshire Blvd, Fairfax Ave, and Catalina Street.
Henry was lauded for beautifying the Miracle Mile -- but voted against a $1 million proposal for public housing.
Henry was lauded for beautifying the Miracle Mile -- but voted against a $1 million proposal for public housing.
John Ferraro was appointed to CD4 in 1965, and went on to serve nine terms (this was before the three-term limits we have now).
CD4 changed shape a few times, but the 1982 redistricting plan from the City Council was so egregious it got the attention of the *US Justice Dept.*
CD4 changed shape a few times, but the 1982 redistricting plan from the City Council was so egregious it got the attention of the *US Justice Dept.*
The Justice Dept. sued LA, arguing the redistricting plan diluted LA’s Latino vote.
CM Richard Alatorre proposed a new plan, remapping CM Mike Woo’s CD13 into a largely Latino district. Woo then accused Alatorre of reducing opportunity for Asian representation on the council.
CM Richard Alatorre proposed a new plan, remapping CM Mike Woo’s CD13 into a largely Latino district. Woo then accused Alatorre of reducing opportunity for Asian representation on the council.
The Mayor vetoed Alatorre’s plan, and Council devised a new map that scrambled Woo’s CD13 and Ferraro’s CD4 into a new configuration that neither of them liked.
But when a third CM died, Woo and Ferraro tweaked the map once again and retrieved most of their districts.
But when a third CM died, Woo and Ferraro tweaked the map once again and retrieved most of their districts.
In 2012, when Tom LaBonge represented CD4, a new redistricting plan again caused conflict.
One Neighborhood Council advocate wrote in a report that the new plan ignored 4500 critical public comments -- and split up 32 neighborhood councils.
One Neighborhood Council advocate wrote in a report that the new plan ignored 4500 critical public comments -- and split up 32 neighborhood councils.
Residents of Koreatown were especially dismayed to be divided among four different districts. But the plan was passed by City Council 13 to 2.
Another lawsuit was filed against the city, but a judge found insufficient evidence that the plan was intentionally discriminatory.
Another lawsuit was filed against the city, but a judge found insufficient evidence that the plan was intentionally discriminatory.
Gerrymandering occurs when politicians redraw maps so they can represent areas they deem financially or politically beneficial.
This often happens at the expense of communities -- splitting up underserved demographics or avoiding areas that aren’t ripe for development.
This often happens at the expense of communities -- splitting up underserved demographics or avoiding areas that aren’t ripe for development.
LA has had 15 council districts since 1925 -- when the city’s population was about 900,000. It’s now around 4 million.
It’s not healthy for so much power to be concentrated among so few people -- and our current districts are simply too large to be governed effectively.
It’s not healthy for so much power to be concentrated among so few people -- and our current districts are simply too large to be governed effectively.
More council districts would mean a greater diversity of candidates, and less money required to run a race.
Most importantly, we could redistrict our city in a way that’s easier for residents to understand.
That’s a change I’ll fight for if I’m elected.
Most importantly, we could redistrict our city in a way that’s easier for residents to understand.
That’s a change I’ll fight for if I’m elected.
For more on expanding the City Council and other ways we can improve the structure of LA's government, take a look at our Make City Hall Work for Us policy! nithyaforthecity.com/platform/make-…
If you live in LA and are curious what City Council district you live in, the city provides this helpful website where you can enter your address and find out all the officials who represent you -- along with much more! neighborhoodinfo.lacity.org
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