Los Angeles’ Redistricting Commission has released its preliminary map for the new city council district boundaries. The new boundaries are created to reflect population changes that are identified by the decennial U.S. Census. The commission must still approve these recommendations before the map is sent to the city council for debate, potential changes and final approval.
The commission’s map is sure to cause controversy inside and outside Los Angeles City Hall. Numerous district lines have been moved, with some council members picking up politically appealing areas while other members would see them removed from their districts. Among the most obvious changes:
- Westchester, just north of LAX, would be split in half. The eastern area is allocated to Council District 8 (Bernard Parks) while the western side remains with in its current district, CD 11 (Bill Rosendahl). LAX will remain in CD 11.
- Downtown Los Angeles would be almost entirely within CD 14 (Jose Huizar). A large section of Downtown is currently in CD 8 (Jan Perry), but that district would be moved south.
- CD 5 (Paul Koretz) would be shifted south and out of the San Fernando Valley. While CD 4 (Tom LaBonge) would pick up a much larger section of the southern portion of the Valley, including Sherman Oaks and Encino.
- And the Cerrell Associates offices in Larchmont Village would be moved from CD 4 into CD 5.
But fear not! This is only the beginning of a long, stormy process.
Vice President of Campaigns Crystal Litz gives her take on some of the top targeted legislative seats in California in 2012, and why candidates for two of those races have signed on with Cerrell Associates.
