In a neighborhood with an estimated population of more than 80,000, only 148 ballots were requested for Tuesday’s Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council election, according to the Los Angeles City Clerk.
Results for the biennial election will be shared on May 21, the L.A. City Clerk’s office said.
Boyle Heights is not alone in experiencing a low voter turnout for neighborhood council elections.
According to a report by LAist, Los Angeles neighborhood council elections this year are on track to see their lowest voter turnout in years.
A review of results from the first round of elections shows a 37% drop from the 2023 elections, and 77% from 2021. There are 99 neighborhood councils across the city and LAist looked at turnout from 16 that have been held so far.
Some neighborhood council members believe the decline is due to in-person voting being cut from the election administration budget this year, according to LAist. Residents must also request a ballot about two weeks ahead of their neighborhood’s election day instead of being automatically enrolled to receive one.
With no physical polling places this election, voters had until Tuesday to postmark ballots or drop them off in their local ballot box.
During its last election in 2021, Boyle Heights saw only 84 votes, about half of the 177 submitted in 2019, according to the L.A. City Clerk. The Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council did not hold a formal election in 2023 due to a lack of candidates running.
LAist cited data from the L.A. City Clerk’s office showing that overall turnout for neighborhood council elections have fallen from a high of 26,045 in 2014 to just 8,730 in 2023.
While neighborhood councils can’t pass any laws or ordinances, they serve a key role in highlighting local issues and uplifting resident voices to the L.A. City Council.
Neighborhood council boards also receive annual budgets funded by taxpayer dollars, which can be used to address critical needs and support local organizations.
Tuesday’s election comes on the heels of the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council being placed under “exhaustive efforts,” a restrictive status designated when a group can’t meet certain regulations.
This means the council can’t issue grants or donations, freezing $24,000 of its $55,032.64 budget for Neighborhood Purpose Grants supporting local public schools and nonprofits.
The next Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council election will be in 2027.
All stakeholders can vote in neighborhood council elections, including those who live, work, or own property in the neighborhood.
