Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Monica public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
4 issues in governance
City Council Election Endorsement
A longtime Santa Monica resident and youth volunteer is running for City Council, pointing to his upbringing in rent-controlled housing and local schools. It adds another name to the race, so if you care about housing and schools, this candidate is worth watching.
Local Election Coverage
Santa Monica’s local election races are being broken down into a quick guide so residents can actually figure out who to vote for. If you live here and plan to cast a ballot, this is the shortcut you need before Election Day.
City Council Election Candidates
An opinion column runs down Santa Monica’s November ballot — City Council, Rent Control Board, and more — praising some candidates’ empathy and calling out SMC trustees for dodging accountability. Think of it as a biased but useful cheat sheet for figuring out who’s actually showing up.
City Council Meeting Summary
Santa Monica Next used an automated reporter to recap the Oct. 27 City Council meeting, including direct quotes from the recording. If you want a quick, quote-backed look at what the council actually did, this is the item to check.