L.A. Neighborhood Councils fight to be heard as their elections proceed quietly

Just after 9 am on Wednesday, March 19, Los Angeles city staff methodically sorted through hundreds of ballots in a downtown conference room, each paper representing a voice from L.A. neighborhoods such as Venice, Mar Vista and North Westwood. Only a handful of observers watched as the moment transpired at the Piper Technical Center, but to most of Los Angeles, it passed unnoticed.

The Region 11 Neighborhood Council election—one of many taking place this season—is part of a citywide cycle...