The approved District map presented three days before the deadline, replaced three other maps under consideration. Supervisors were surprised by the change, but Third District Supervisor Sheila Kuehl was irate over the “rushed adoption of an eleventh-hour map.”
A first-ever citizens redistricting commission draws new boundaries for L.A. County Supervisor
The 14-member citizens redistricting commission retained Santa Monica, Topanga and Santa Monica Mountains communities in the Third District allaying fears that those geographical communities might be broken up.
What the Third District did lose were world-renowned cultural venues—the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Hollywood Bowl, La Brea Tar Pits, L.A. County Museum of Art, and the John Anson Ford Theater—that Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, and Zev Yaroslavky before her, allocated millions for more than 20 years, to improve them.
Kuehl was irate over the “rushed adoption of a strategically manipulated 11th-hour map...that guts the heart out of what has been the Third District...while providing no time for comment or review,” she said in a mass email, accusing unnamed politicians eyeing a seat on the Board of influencing the commissioners.
“I’m surprised it’s so different than the maps that were being considered before Sunday [December 12, three days before the deadline],” Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the only Republican on the Board, said, “but again, I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to know my new constituents, which is my style anyway.”
“My job is to represent the residents of the Fourth District and not only ensure their voices and interests are heard, but also get them the resources they need,” Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement.
One of the criteria commisioners had to meet before approving the final redistricting map, was that “the Board of Supervisors will have no input or ability to alter the final district maps.”
The final map that went into effect immediately, created a second -majority Latino district, maintained a concentration of Black voters in South L.A., and grouped more Asian American voters together.
With the exception of Supervisor Kuehl, who is not running for re-election next year, the supervisors declared they were ready to get to know and represent their new constituents and move forward.
