"Dear Honorable Commissioners:

 California Common Cause and the League of Women Voters Los Angeles write in opposition to item No. 2 on the May 26, 2021 agenda, specifically a potential amendment to the Executive Director’s contract to provide consulting services for mapping and demographic services for the LAUSD Commission (Commission).

Neither the City of Los Angeles nor LAUSD can afford to repeat the mistakes which undermined the public’s trust and confidence in the previous redistricting cycle. Last year, over thirty local, state, and national organizations demanded that redistricting in Los Angeles use a more independent, transparent, and accessible process. Unfortunately, the Commission is at risk of ignoring that advice and jeopardizing the public’s faith in the redistricting process. It is our understanding that the Mapping and Data Committee (Committee) has recommended that the Commission forgo a Request for Proposals (RFP) for mapping and demographic services and that a no-bid contract for those services be awarded by amending the Executive Director’s existing contract. We oppose this choice, which is not employed by any other redistricting commissions in the state to our knowledge, for several reasons."