L.A. City Council should expand to 25 members, charter reform commission says

"I think we owe the people of Los Angeles to walk out of this room saying that we are a commission that's concerned about equity, that we are a commission that is concerned about Black and AAPI folks who live in this city. The council has consisted of 15 members since 1925, when the city had fewer than 600,000 residents, compared with 3.9 million today."

"Supporters of the council expansion said that smaller ethnic groups, including Black and Asian American and Pacific Islander residents, would be better represented. The commission also recommended ranked choice voting, where voters list candidates in order of preference, for municipal elections beginning in 2032."

The Los Angeles Charter Reform Commission voted 9-2 to recommend expanding the City Council from 15 to 25 seats. The council has remained at 15 members since 1925 when the city had fewer than 600,000 residents, despite current population reaching 3.9 million. Supporters argue the expansion would provide better representation for Black, Asian American, and Pacific Islander residents. The commission also recommended implementing ranked choice voting for municipal elections beginning in 2032 and establishing a new chief financial officer position. By April 2, the commission must submit all recommendations to the City Council, which will determine which changes appear as ballot measures in November.

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