RUN DMC – Christmas in Hollis

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Tip O’Neill had it right. All politics IS local. And here in Los Angeles, 7 of the most powerful folks, the LAUSD Board of Education, are consistently elected by less than 10% of voters.

These folks set budgets, determine teacher layoff numbers, authorize data systems, approve new schools, close schools, and even hire the superintendent. The effects of the decisions of these seven individuals ripple throughout the community of Los Angeles, for good or for ill.

So Santa, my next item on my Christmas list is that you’d please, please, please increase the voter turnout in out school board elections so that the folks really are serving a representation of the public they are charged with serving.

Now, I know, Santa, that you can’t change the will and attitude of the thousands upon thousands of folks who don’t show up in the elections for these local policy-makers, but in lieu of that ability, I offer up a series of actionable items you could (within your purview as Santa) take up to help this:

1. Stop with this madness of holding elections in March. Nobody votes in March. Always tie the school board elections to the larger elections as a whole, be it state or federal office.
2. A series of publically funded “Get out and vote” Public Service Announcements prior to school board elections. You could easily gather a coalition of folks who want to encourage voting.

I know, I know, Santa, this is a tough one. But I know you can do it.