In 2025, the Los Angeles Charter Reform Commission began its review of the Los Angeles City Charter – a constitution for how the city works. Some cities have charters to establish their own rules for governance. In the United States, charters often lay the structure of the city government, city departments and offices, and decision-making processes. The Charter is the instrument through which the people of Los Angeles determine their government. It belongs to the people—and all changes to the Charter should be approved by the people.

In October 2025, the Charter Reform Commission formally asked the local coalition, Rewrite LA, to expand public participation in the charter reform process by convening a civic assembly of everyday Angelenos. The Commission also pledged to consider the Assembly’s recommendations for inclusion in the Commission’s proposals to change the Charter. Those recommendations will go to the Los Angeles City Council, who can decide which proposals to place on the November 2026 ballot for the people’s approval.

The Assembly will provide recommendations to the Charter Reform Commission on the following questions:

“What should be the size and structure of the Los Angeles City Council? How many people should serve on the Council?”