I hope our newsletter finds you well.

I am happy to report that the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners approved the online voting contract with Everyone Counts on Monday. If you weren't able to attend or listen to the meeting, you can watch our recorded live stream of the Commission meeting here. Please remember that the Commission approval only provides the option of having online voting in addition to their regular polling location. Neighborhood Councils will still have the next few months to decide whether they want online voting for the 2016 elections via a stipulation worksheet that will be sent today to all Neighborhood Councils.

I really think that online voting will have a positive impact on the Neighborhood Council system in making it easier to connect with all stakeholders both before and after the election. Voting is a big topic throughout the nation from Oregon's automatic voter registration to President Obama's suggestion of mandatory voting. Internationally, the UK is looking at online voting after studies showed it would increase engagement with the youth and particularly, young women. I'm proud that Neighborhood Councils continue to be the leaders in innovative civic engagement worldwide. Big thanks to Silver Lake Neighborhood Council and the LANCC Election Task Force for first having the vision of online voting in 2010! It's been a long journey to get here with many miles more to come, but I really appreciate the leadership of the Commission in supporting us in this endeavor for the growth of the Neighborhood Council system.

Despite the crazy LA traffic last night,I managed to get to the SLAANC last night to give them a preview of the stipulation worksheet for administrative and election updates and answer questions about online voting. The SLAANC members were hard at work tackling the subject of minimum wage among other issues. I encourage other Neighborhood Councils to take action on this important issue for our city. Thanks to Downtown Los Angeles and Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Councils for filing Community Impact Statements on this issue (CF-14-1371)!

The Neighborhood Council Budget Day will be on Saturday, March 28th, from 9 am - 12pm. Mayor Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Controller Ron Galperin and Board of Public Works President Kevin James are confirmed to speak at City Hall. They will be broadcast live to 5 satellite locations - Valley, East, Harbor, South and West LA where stakeholders will then have the opportunity to take the Mayor's budget survey. Please help get the word out!

One of the last great horsekeeping areas in LA, the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council will be holding their selection tomorrow with 27 candidates for 10 seats! Don't forget, too, that Ciclavia is coming to the Valley on Sunday. If I don't see you from on my horse or my bike this weekend, have a great one!

Best,

Grayce Liu,
General Manager
Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (aka) EmpowerLA