Voter Guide for Los Angeles Fire Survivors: Offices on the Ballot This November

On Tuesday, November 3, Californians will elect leaders at every level of government. For survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires, many of these offices shape how quickly, fairly, and fully our communities rebuild. That means decisions at the ballot box will ultimately affect insurance rates and claims handling, building permits, and repairs to roads, water lines, schools, parks, and businesses.

Recovery isn't the job of any one office. Federal, state, and local governments share responsibility, but their roles aren't always clear. When something stalls, it can be hard to know whether to call your city, county, state, or federal government. Knowing who does what can help survivors find the right help and hold officials accountable this November.

Here's a guide to the major offices on the ballot, what each one does, and why it matters.

Federal government: Funding and oversight

U.S. House of Representatives

California voters will elect representatives in all 52 congressional districts this November. Members of Congress write federal laws, approve federal spending, and oversee executive branch agencies, including FEMA, through hearings.

The federal government plays a critical role in recovery, but it generally doesn't make local decisions about how rebuilding happens. Cities and counties typically issue building permits, review plans under local building codes, and manage local infrastructure projects. State and local governments handle much of the work on the ground.

Why it matters for survivors: Your representative helps shape the critical federal disaster aid that helps rebuild homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, utilities, schools, and parks. Members can introduce legislation, help secure funding, and hold federal agencies accountable.

Your representative's office can also help with problems involving federal agencies. Caseworkers in local district offices assist constituents with FEMA applications, Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans, and IRS questions. If you're stuck in a federal process, your representative's office may be able to help.

State government: Laws, budgets, and agencies

Governor

The governor is California's chief executive. They sign or veto bills passed by the state legislature and propose the state budget each January. They also appoint leaders of state agencies involved in recovery, including CAL FIRE, the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), and the Department of Housing and Community Development.

The governor can declare states of emergency and issue executive orders. These actions can unlock resources and temporarily change rules during a disaster. After the January 2025 fires, for example, executive orders suspended certain permitting and environmental review requirements to help survivors rebuild faster.

The governor also plays a key role in seeking federal disaster aid. The state must explain how much funding is needed, why it is needed, and how it would be spent. The governor then works with federal officials to secure that funding.

The governor doesn't write laws; the legislature does. The governor also doesn't regulate insurance companies or approve insurance rates; those duties fall to the independently elected insurance commissioner and the Department of Insurance. And the governor doesn't issue local building permits; cities and counties do.

Why it matters for survivors: The next governor will help determine which recovery bills become law and how much state funding goes to rebuilding and wildfire prevention. They will also decide whether emergency measures for fire-affected communities continue, expand, or expire. As the state's lead voice in seeking federal disaster aid, the governor helps make the case for funding our communities need.

Insurance Commissioner

The California insurance commissioner leads the California Department of Insurance, the state's primary insurance regulator. The department reviews insurance rate requests, oversees the FAIR Plan, the state's insurer of last resort, and licenses insurers. It also investigates how companies handle claims and can penalize insurers that break the law. If your insurer delays, underpays, or denies your claim, the department may be able to help.

The commissioner doesn't write state law, though the office can push the legislature to make changes. The office also doesn't distribute disaster aid.

Why it matters for survivors: The commissioner plays a major role in how insurers handle claims and whether Californians can find and afford coverage as they rebuild.

State Legislature: State Senate and State Assembly

The California State Legislature has two houses: a 40-member State Senate, whose members serve four-year terms, and an 80-member State Assembly, whose members serve two-year terms. Legislators write state laws and pass the state budget. They also oversee state agencies through hearings and can secure funding for projects in their districts. They don't run agencies day to day or approve individual building permits.

Since the Eaton and Palisades fires, legislators have introduced bills on insurance claims, mortgage forbearance, rebuilding costs, utility accountability, and wildfire prevention. Like members of Congress, state legislators also have district offices that can help survivors navigate state agencies when problems arise.

This year, two districts covering the Palisades are changing hands.

Spotlight: State Senate District 24

SD 24 covers much of the Westside and surrounding areas, including Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Venice, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Hollywood.

Why it matters for survivors: The next senator will represent Palisades fire survivors in the California State Senate, from shaping recovery legislation to pressing state agencies when rebuilding stalls. A new senator also means new relationships and a new district office that must build its knowledge of the fire and its aftermath.

Spotlight: State Assembly District 42

AD 42 spans Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Topanga, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, and Simi Valley.

Why it matters for survivors: The district includes communities directly affected by the Palisades fire, as well as Malibu communities affected by other recent fires. Many neighborhoods in the district also face high wildfire risk. The next representative will help shape policies on rebuilding, insurance, and wildfire prevention that affect these communities for years to come.

Palisades and Malibu residents will have new representatives in both the Senate and Assembly next year. This election offers a chance to help shape both offices' priorities from the start.

Local government: Where rebuilding happens

Mayor of the City of Los Angeles

The mayor is the city's chief executive. They propose the city budget and oversee departments that survivors rely on, including the Department of Building and Safety, which handles permits and inspections; the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which provides utilities; and the Los Angeles Fire Department. The mayor appoints department leaders, shaping how they are managed and respond to residents. In an emergency, the mayor can issue declarations and executive orders, including measures to speed up rebuilding permits.

The mayor's authority ends at Los Angeles city limits. Altadena, Topanga, and Sunset Mesa are unincorporated areas governed by LA County. Malibu and Pasadena are separate cities with their own leaders. The Los Angeles mayor also doesn't control insurance regulation or federal disaster aid. The City Council must approve the budget and city laws, so the mayor shares power with the council.

Why it matters for survivors: For Pacific Palisades survivors, rebuilding often depends on City Hall, from permits and inspections to utility restoration and infrastructure repairs. Delays can add months and significant costs to a family's path home. The next mayor will set priorities for city departments and decide how much attention recovery receives alongside the city's other needs.

LA County Board of Supervisors: Already decided

Two of the five Board of Supervisors seats were on the ballot this year, and voters decided both races outright in the June primary.

The Board serves as both the legislative and executive body for Los Angeles County. It is the main governing body for unincorporated areas such as Altadena, where the county handles permitting and rebuilding directly. County departments also manage public health, public works, and many recovery services.

These seats won't appear on the November ballot, but the Board remains an important place for survivors to make their voices heard. Residents can speak during public comment at Board meetings or contact their supervisor's office. Supervisors' offices also handle constituent requests and may be able to help resolve problems with county agencies, including the Department of Public Works.

Make a plan to vote

For voting information, visit the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk to find a vote center or ballot drop box, check your registration, and track your ballot. If the fires displaced you or you moved since you last registered, check your voting options before Election Day (Tuesday, November 3). You can request a replacement mail ballot if yours was lost or damaged, and eligible voters who missed the registration deadline can still register and vote in person through Election Day. Vote centers are open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Nov. 2, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. Visit LA County's voting guide to make a plan.