Seven L.A. County Races and Measures Highlighted in New Guide

As voters face a ballot overflowing with high-profile contests, several lesser-known county races and measures are quietly waiting at the bottom. A guide highlights seven specific local decisions, ranging from a tense sheriff’s rematch to complex charter amendments and judicial runoffs that will shape public safety and governance.

County voting packet.

The Sheriff’s Office Rematch Between Luna and Villanueva

At the top of the obscure races list is a high-stakes rematch for control of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, an agency that also oversees county jails. Sitting Sheriff Robert Luna is facing his rival, Alex Villanueva. Luna, a former Long Beach police chief who came out of retirement to run for sheriff in 2022, argued that incumbent Alex Villanueva had taken the department in the wrong direction.

Luna points to falling crime statistics as proof of his tenure’s success. Between 2023—his first full year in office—and 2025, homicides fell by more than 25%.

Villanueva, meanwhile, is seeking a political comeback. After winning a surprise victory in 2018, his time in office became marked by scandals and disputes, leading to regular appearances on Fox News where he frequently attacked progressive ideology and criticized Democrats. On the campaign trail, Villanueva argues that the department has issues with recruitment and retention. He also says the department does not have the resources it needs.

How Charter Amendment A Changes Public Safety Labor Talks

Voters are also weighing L.A. County Charter Amendment A, a measure dealing with labor negotiations for key public safety personnel. Under current law, public safety personnel cannot strike. When contract negotiations reach an impasse, county supervisors can impose a final offer.

Measure A would alter that final step by requiring binding arbitration if talks break down. If negotiators fail to reach a compromise, a three-member panel—with the county and the union each choosing one member, and those two selecting the third person, who would serve as chair—would step in. This panel would focus on key employment elements such as wages and hours to issue a binding result made public.

Fixing Bureaucratic Muddles With Charter Amendment E

L.A. County Charter Amendment E tackles a dense web of jail financing and recent governance reforms. Back in 2020, 57% of county voters approved Measure J, requiring that at least 10% of locally generated, unrestricted revenue be allocated to incarceration alternatives. Yet, a subsequent county reform initiative known as Measure G inadvertently nullified Measure J. Measure E would ensure that Measure J remains in effect.

Measure E is designed to clean up those messy governmental issues. At the same time, the measure seeks to permanently enshrine the county ethics commission and the ethics compliance office into the county charter to guarantee their independence.

Deciding Four Superior Court Judge Runoffs

County ballot features runoffs for four open judge seats. The four matchups voters must decide are:

Maria Ghobadi versus Rhonda Haymon for the Superior Court Judge Office 64 seat
Justin Allen Clayton versus Anna Slotky Reitano for the Superior Court Judge Office 65 seat
Anthony “A.J.” Bayne versus David DeJute for the Superior Court Judge Office 87 seat
Donna Tryfman versus David Ross for the Superior Court Judge Office 131 seat

These judicial contests complete a snapshot of the local decisions that will quietly direct county policy.