In First Moves as Acting President, O’Farrell Calls for Major Charter Reform of City Council Districts, Redistricting Process
Expansion of Council seats would be most significant change in a century
LOS ANGELES — Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, in his first move as Acting President of the Los Angeles City Council, today introduced a motion calling for a ballot measure that would increase the number of Council districts, as well as an immediate, new redistricting process that would be needed to implement that update, if approved by voters.
“Los Angeles is at a crisis moment and Angelenos’ confidence in the structure of their government has been shaken,” said Councilmember O’Farrell. “Over the last few days, as we process and deal with the fallout from the audio recordings of several Councilmembers, we must not lose sight of the fact that the leaked conversation revolved around the redistricting process. Ensuring fair, equitable, accountable representation in Los Angeles is a must, now more than ever. Today, let’s begin making that a reality.”
Between 1920 and 1929, the population of the City of Los Angeles grew from an approximate 577,000 residents to just over 1.2 million people. Today, the City has a population of more than four million Angelenos, but the number of City Council districts has remained at 15 since 1925. Los Angeles is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and is home to some of the largest communities outside of their respective countries including Koreans, Armenians, Mexicans, Salvadorans, Filipinos, and many others.
The number of City Council seats is set by the Los Angeles City Charter, and can only be amended by a charter amendment approved by voters. O’Farrell’s motion instructs the Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA), with the assistance of the City Attorney, to prepare and present a report on the steps needed to place before the voters on the 2024 ballot a measure to increase the number of CIty Council seats from 15 to a larger number, to be determined, based on the City’s population growth. It also instructs the CLA, with the assistance of the City Administrative Officer, to prepare and present a report that outlines an immediate redistricting process to implement the update to more members, should the charter reform ballot initiative be successful.
Additionally, O’Farrell introduced a motion calling for the election of a new Council President to be held next week. O’Farrell also seconded a Resolution calling for the resignations of Councilmembers Martinez, de Leon, and Cedillo, and he co-introduced a Resolution censuring those members.
