Los Angeles County Voters to Decide on Charter Amendments

Los Angeles County voters will decide on two charter amendments, Measure A and Measure E, during the November 3 election. Measure A proposes a binding arbitration process to resolve pay and benefit disputes for public safety employees, such as deputy sheriffs and firefighters, who are legally prohibited from striking.

David Levitus, Executive Director of LA Forward, opposed Measure A, arguing that the process could create fiscal problems and undermine the authority of the county's chief executive officer. Conversely, public safety unions, including the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, support the measure as a means to ensure fair negotiations.

Measure E seeks to strengthen the county's Ethics Commission by granting it independent funding and expanded powers to investigate and punish campaign finance and conflict-of-interest violations. The measure would also restore Measure J, a 2020 mandate requiring 10% of the general fund be allocated to alternatives to incarceration, which was accidentally removed during 2024 reforms.

Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger abstained from the vote to place Measure E on the ballot. She cited opposition to mandated funding requirements, stating that the county should not tie the hands of future boards. Support for Measure E has been voiced by the League of Women Voters of Greater Los Angeles and Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.