A Political Earthquake Heading for Los Angeles County

LA County is bigger than many American states and each of the five County Supervisors represents more than two million people. Their districts are so big and complex that election to four-year terms has made them almost impossible to challenge. The five current incumbents have office for a total of 100 years. But, in 2002, voters approved limits of three terms, or 12 years in office. For Zev Yaroslavsky and Gloria Molina, next year is the end of the line. While state legislative districts are now reapportioned by an independent commission, boards of supervisors do that job themselves. LA County's drew new lines in 2011, but Gloria Molina and Mark Ridley-Thomas raised minority voting rights issues. Now there are demands for the US Department of Justice to step in.