good morning. Welcome to LA on the Record, our City Hall newsletter. The ship is piloted by Dakota Smith, assisted by David Zahnizer.

With just over a week left until the March 5 election, voters, especially independents and young voters, have so far shown little enthusiasm.

In Los Angeles County, only 4% of voters, or about 210,000 voters, had returned their ballots by Thursday, according to a report by the research firm Political Data. This is out of 5.6 million votes.

According to PDI statistics, some groups are more interested in elections than others.

Republicans make up just 18% of Los Angeles County voters, but they account for 24% of the votes returned so far. In contrast, independents make up 29% of the electorate, but their vote share is only 19%.

Of the ballots returned by Thursday, 9% were between the ages of 18 and 24, and 53% were seniors, according to PDI. Each group accounts for about a quarter of voters.

PDI Vice President paul mitchell Low turnout in the primary could promote older, whiter, “establishment” candidates, he said. At the state level, it could also help Republican candidates advance to runoff elections, he said.

But there is also another potential outcome.

Low turnout can make it difficult to predict the outcome of some races. He said outdoor campaigning, which has a “huge impact” such as door-knocking and reaching large numbers of voters, can be successful even in low-turnout races.

March 5th was California's first presidential primary, with ballots mailed to voters across the state.

The numbers for some city council contests are also low.

City council succession battle in eastern San Fernando Valley Paul Krekorian Voter turnout so far is 4%.The Hollywood Hills area is represented by city council members. Nitya Raman, that number remains at 4%.And on the east side there are city council members. kevin de leon is seeking a second four-year term, but only 3% of the votes have been submitted so far.

Don't lose hope yet! There's still a week and a half left, so things may improve.

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce PAC calls for an end to anti-Raman attack ads

Thrive LA, a new advocacy group backed by some business leaders, is facing backlash over its advertising in the City Council District 4 race.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce PAC, which donated to Thrive LA's PAC, is calling on the group to stop airing ads against Raman, who is seeking re-election in the 4th District.

“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce PAC does not agree with the recent attack ads,” the Hollywood group said in a Feb. 2 statement on its website, adding, “We have no role in the development or content of the ads. ” he pointed out.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce PAC said it provided funds to Thrive LA PAC in support of its “forward-thinking mission of supporting 'real leaders'” and that the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce PAC “provides the maximum amount of support to voters.” “We support a positive dialogue that provides information on this issue.”

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce PAC said, “We are disappointed in the decision to air these ads, regret that our funds were used to support these messages, and urge Thrive LA PAC to air them.'' We encourage them to discontinue it.”

Supported by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce PAC ethan weaverRaman's racing partner.

Thrive LA also supports Weaver.one of Let Advertising Thrive in LA Features Christy Vega, the owner of Casa Vega restaurant in Sherman Oaks criticized Raman over her position on 41.18, the anti-encampment law.A prosperous LA too Run digital ads “We turned a blind eye to homelessness,” Raman said.

Thrive LA declined to comment on the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce PAC's statement. The Raman camp also declined to comment.

State of play

—anti-social media: Powerful Los Angeles Teachers Union suspends campaign on behalf of school board candidates Khalid Al Alim He comes amid mounting criticism for his social media posts and likes that amplify anti-Semitism, glorify guns and praise pornographic images.

— Biden and Bass: Mayor Karen Bass spent a fulfilling time with president biden This week, I visited him on the tarmac, rode in the limo with him, attended an event, and even dined with him at CJ's Cafe on La Brea Avenue. Biden was in town for campaign fundraising and other activities.

— Dodger Tram Advance: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Board of Directors approved an environmental analysis of the proposed gondola to Dodger Stadium by an 11-0 vote. The approval includes a long list of conditions, including free rides for Chinatown residents and a measure mandating the construction of affordable housing if the stadium's parking lot is developed, the Times reported. It was reported.

— Discussion about the crisis: candidate Serena Oberstein and the current john lee City Council District 12 race on best approach to homelessness Homelessness increased by 43% in the Northwest Valley between 2020 and 2022, according to the city and county's homeless agency.

– Million Dollar Baby: According to the city's Ethics Commission, various public employee unions, business groups, landlords and sign companies have now spent more than $1 million in independent spending aimed at re-electing Lee for another four-year term. It is said that there is

—not that far: Public safety unions, business groups, landlords and others are currently spending more than $900,000 on their own behalf to elect Deputy City Atty. ethan weavera person running against a member of parliament Nitya Raman, according to figures released by the city's Ethics Commission. In contrast, Raman's IE is less than a third of that amount. Unions representing hotel workers, supermarket workers, city workers and others, along with other donors, have so far committed a total of $283,000 to Raman's campaign.

— Body of evidence: The Times and consumer watchdogs this week asked a judge to lift 33 search warrants in the government's criminal investigation into former City Atty. mike feuerOffice and DWP. Mr. Feuer, who is running for the 30th District House seat, has long denied wrongdoing.

—Reply to sender: In an unusual move, the city's Ethics Commission rejected a proposed $11,250 fine against the former CBS president. leslie moonves, claim the amount is too low. Moonves is accused of obstructing a police investigation into an alleged sexual assault.

— Crime and Copper: A recent vote by the City Council to curb copper wire theft set off a long debate over the city's approach to public safety. One day, a city council member Hugo Soto–martinez argued against new crime prevention measures, pointing out that such thefts can be committed by people living in poverty.board members Imelda Padilla It disagreed, saying such thefts were the product of “sophisticated” organized crime.

— Abak, Adios:After 46 years in LA city government. Abak KeotahianA highly knowledgeable and often gruff assistant legislative analyst is saying goodbye to City Hall. On Friday, city council members tried to see Keotahyan off, but after failing, he decided to leave quietly.

Mr. Keotahyan, 75, became active in the city when he was mayor. tom bradley “What a gentleman” Mr. Kiotahian became president, eventually establishing a reputation for providing salty feedback to City Council members and their staffs. Keotahian, standing on the council floor after Friday's meeting, said he misses being in public.

quick hit

• Where is Inside Safe? The mayor's program to move unhoused residents indoors took effect this week in two locations in the Hollywood neighborhood represented by City Council members: the Sunset Boulevard neighborhood and Gower Street. hugo do–martinez; the area around Nordhofstrasse and Teravera Street in the Panorama City district that the MP represents; Imelda Padilla.

• On next week's calendar: Chubu Area Planning Committee meet on tuesday A proposal for a 27-story residential tower at 949 S. Hope St. will be considered. The project is expected to have 236 apartment units, 179 parking spaces, and 10,010 square feet of ground-floor commercial restaurant space.