Voting in Los Feliz matters: See the closest races in LFNC recent history
“I live in California. My vote doesn’t matter.” Sound familiar? Does every presidential election feel like a handful of folks in a handful of swing states have all the say, and you’re left high and dry out west, casting an inconsequential vote in a state that’s already been decided? Even casting a ballot for state races and county measures can feel like a drop in a bucket. Is anyone even listening?
But, wait. What if I told you there was an upcoming election so closely contested, so democratic, so for the people, by the people that your vote might just be the mightiest it’s ever been? This is your chance to cast aside those feelings of disenfranchisement and instead, wrap yourself in the glowing warmth of true representative democracy. Say goodbye to suffering and hello to suffrage as you cast a vote in Los Feliz that truly makes a difference.
We’re talking, of course, about the 2025 Los Feliz Neighborhood Council governing board election — happening April 25–26 — and it’s likely to be the most impactful vote you ever cast.
Don’t believe me? As Kai Ryssdal would say, let’s do the numbers.
Los Feliz Neighborhood Council races routinely decided by very slim margins
Since 2019 — that’s a total of three LFNC elections — there have been eight races with fewer than 100 total votes cast, including six races that had fewer than 50 total votes. That’s some serious voting power:
- 2019 District A: 94 total votes
- 2021 District A: 46 total votes
- 2021 District D: 47 total votes
- 2021 District E: 38 total votes
- 2023 District A: 24 total votes
- 2023 District D: 39 total votes
- 2023 District E: 95 total votes
- 2023 District F: 38 total votes
That District A race in 2023 with just 24 total votes ended with each candidate receiving exactly 12 votes. With two seats on the line that year, everyone went home a winner.
Over those last three elections — results here, here and here — a winning candidate bested the next vote-getter by 10 or fewer votes in at least 11 different races. That includes six times where the difference was fewer than just five votes.
In 2023, a seat was won eight votes to five.
Every vote matters. Your vote matters.
Hold on to your butts for this next one: In 2023, the District E race finished with Stacy Lauren-Kon winning a seat with 32 votes; Josh Steichmann also winning a seat, also with 32 votes; and the runner-up barely missing the cut with only 31 votes.
If just one person felt a little differently that day, we’d be writing an alternative Los Feliz history. What’s the old expression: A butterfly flaps its wings at House of Pies and a hyper local election gets upended? That’s how close these things are, and that’s how impactful your vote really is.
How to vote for neighborhood council in Los Feliz
Congratulations on deciding to cast a vote in this year’s LFNC election. That’s great news. Here’s how you can participate:
- Step 1: Be at least 16 years old and be a stakeholder in Los Feliz — meaning you live, work, worship, own property, belong to a community organization, etc. — in one of our districts (official map here).
- Step 2: Go to the Elysian Masonic Temple on Friday, April 25, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., or Saturday, April 26, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. You do NOT need to pre-register. Just show up.
- Step 3: Vote.
Informed voters are the best voters, so head over to LosFelizVotes.org to find your district and learn about all the great candidates. You can also read about my District B re-election campaign at olsenebright.com (I was appointed to a vacant board seat so this will be my first real election; hooray for democracy).
It’s also worth noting that Los Feliz is one of the few neighborhood councils having in-person voting this year. According to the LA City Clerk’s office, Chatsworth, EC Southeast, Northridge South, Pico Union, South Robertson, Sunland-Tujunga, and Westside are also using a selection process, while the vast majority of other NCs are limited to mail-in voting only this year (Lake Balboa, MacArthur Park, West Los Angeles-Sawtelle, and Westwood are not participating).
Although mail-in voting is safe and secure, it previously resulted in lower voter turnout in Los Feliz, so the governing board opted for in-person voting this year. It comes with a cost though— both in terms of LFNC’s annual budget and volunteer hours. For us, it’s worth it.
Like I always say, democracy is alive and well in Los Feliz, so see ya at the polls, you crazy kids. Be sure to show up and cast that very, very, super, super impactful vote and make your voice heard. Let’s go, Los Feliz.
Also, check out this sweet campaign poster:
