As Angelenos begin casting their ballots, they're being asked to make a series of decisions that will shape how Los Angeles is governed, how key services are funded, and how the city grows in the years ahead, in addition to choosing its next mayor in a race that could end with an incumbent being defeated — a first since Mayor James Hahn lost to Antonio Villaraigosa in 2005.
Vote-by-mail ballots for the Nov. 3 midterm election began arriving in early October. Alongside the race between Karen Bass andNithya Raman, voters will weigh seven local measures that could affect everything from parks and fire services to housing and development.
Here's what to know about the measures on the ballot, key voting deadlines, and how to track your ballot.
What measures am I voting on in Los Angeles?
Voters
will decide on seven City of Los Angeles measures. Here’s what to know, based on information from Sharon Tso, chief legislative analyst, and Matthew W. Szabo, city administrative officer.
Amendment PRK
Los Angeles’ General Fund pays for most key city services, including its police and fire departments. If passed, the amendment would increase the minimum amount of General Fund money allocated to the Department of Recreation and Parks, phased in over 10 years. This amendment doesn’t create new revenue; Instead, Los Angeles would have to reallocate General Fund revenue from other areas. Supporters of this amendment say it’ll clean and improve parks, restrooms, pools, and facilities; rebuild the parks and ranger workforce; and keep pools, recreation centers, and senior centers open.
Ordinance FD
A “yes” vote would increase Los Angeles’ sales tax from 10.25% to 10.75%, generating roughly $345 million annually for the Los Angeles Fire Department. More specifically, it would fund hiring and retaining firefighters and paramedics and purchasing and maintaining equipment like fire trucks, ambulances, and emergency communications systems — among other “LAFD-specific purposes.” A citizen oversight committee will monitor expenditures.
Proposition TE
A proposition passed by voters several years ago imposed a 4% tax on the sale or transfer of real property over $5 million and a 5.5% tax on sales or transfers at $10 million or more. This revenue goes toward affordable housing and tenant assistance programs. If voters approve Proposition TE, it will exempt residential properties that were damaged or destroyed by the Palisades Fire from this tax. If passed, this exemption would be in effect until Jan. 6, 2030. It’s estimated this could reduce revenue by $35 million to $66 million through January 2030.
Charter Amendment LA
The passing of Proposition LA would make a number of changes, including:
- Make Los Angeles adopt a two-year budget (the city currently adopts a budget each year)
- Require the city to adopt a capital infrastructure plan
- Increase the authority of the director of Public Works — which oversees public infrastructure like streets and sidewalks — by giving the director direct management of public works project construction, exercising eminent domain with city council approval, granting street permits, and more.
- Removes restrictions that banned Los Angeles from mortgaging city-owned property and prevented Los Angeles from operating purely commercial or industrial businesses
Wondering why this matters? Supporters say the amendment helps Los Angeles plan infrastructure long term and account for future costs by moving the budget to a two-year cycle. However, Los Angeles City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez described the amendment as giving the city “the authority to eliminate the Board of Public Works and consolidate its powers under a single individual” and removing an “important check and balance” in her argument against it.
Charter Amendment EE
Voting “yes” for Amendment EE would ban the executive director and commissioners of the Ethics Commission from running for city offices, or the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education office, for five years after leaving their position. The Ethics Commission in Los Angeles administers laws related to campaign finance, lobbying, and more. But that’s not all a “yes” vote would mean. It’d also increase the maximum monetary penalty for campaign finance violations; strengthen the independence of the Police Department Inspector General and the Fire Department Independent Assessor to open and conduct investigations or audits; and require the city council to meet at least weekly, rather than three days a week or more.
Charter Amendment PRT
If passed, this charter amendment would require that three of the seven members of the Board of Airport Commissioners reside near LAX, and two of the seven members reside near Van Nuys Airport. It also requires the Harbor Department to allocate funds for waterfront public access projects and other programs.
Charter Amendment PL
Voting “yes” on Charter Amendment PL means changing Los Angeles’ planning and land use management. One major change under this amendment is replacing the Area Planning Commissions — the seven commissions that represent swaths of the city and hear small-scale projects and appeals — with a Neighborhood Appeals Board, with supporters saying it’ll create a “more consistent citywide process for hearing planning appeals.” The amendment will establish clearer procedures regarding when the Los Angeles City Council reviews commissions’ decisions, supporters said, among other changes.
How to register to vote in the U.S. midterms
You can register to vote if you’re 18 years old or older, a U.S. citizen, and not currently serving a felony sentence. You can register online on the California Secretary of State’s website.
Not sure if you’ve already registered to vote? You can check on the California Secretary of State’s website by submitting your name, date of birth, and a few other pieces of information.
Where can I vote?
You have several ways to vote:
- Return your vote-by-mail ballot by mail
- Drop off your vote-by-mail ballot at a drop box location near you
- Vote in person at a vote center near you, or drop off your vote-by-mail ballot there, too
When’s the last day to register to vote in California?
The deadline to register to vote in California is Oct. 19. If you miss the deadline, you can still vote in the election through same-day voter registration.
When are the midterms?
Election Day is Nov. 3.
Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at pbarraza@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Here's what would change in LA if you vote ‘yes’ for these measures
