Protecting Democracy and the 2025 Redistricting Battles

This event is part of the Luskin Lecture Series and co-hosted by the UCLA Voting Rights Project.

Former California Attorney General and Secretary of HHS, Xavier Becerra will deliver remarks about protecting and expanding democracy in 2025. In particular, Becerra will discuss what is at stake for Californians ahead of the Prop. 50 vote on temporary new district boundaries and compare and contrast to other efforts in Texas, Missouri, Florida and more. Beyond democracy, Becerra will outline his views on the importance of expanding access to quality health care, protecting immigrant rights, and more. Following the keynote address Becerra will be joined by Chad Dunn (School of Law and Luskin Public Affairs) who is currently leading a lawsuit against Texas redistricting on behalf of Black and Latino plaintiffs in Texas, and Dr. Natalie Masuoka (Political Science and Asian American Studies) an expert in redistricting and voting behavior to discuss the importance of voting rights and representation for Americans of all backgrounds. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Matt Barreto (Political Science and Chicana/o Studies) who is Faculty Director of the UCLA Voting Rights Project.

Featured Speaker: Secretary Xavier Becerra

In 2017, Congressman Becerra became California's Attorney General, where he led efforts to protect Californians' privacy and consumer rights and hold large corporations and the opioid industry accountable. He defended both the Affordable Care Act and the DACA program for Dreamers all the way to the Supreme Court and won.

In 2021, AG Becerra became the 25th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where he oversaw the operations of Medicare, the ACA, Medicaid, the FDA, CDC, and NIH.

Moderator

• Matt Barreto, Professor of Political Science & Chicano Studies and UCLA Luskin School Faculty Director of UCLA Voting Rights Project.

Panelists

• Xavier Becerra, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and former CA Attorney General
• Chad Dunn, Director of Litigation, UCLA Voting Rights Project
• Natalie Masuoka, Professor of Political Science & Asian American Studies, UCLA

• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
• Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines - "Big Blue Bus"
• Culver City Municipal Bus Lines
• LADOT Commuter Express
• Antelope Valley Transit Authority
• Santa Clarita Transit
• Metrolink (Commuter Trains)
• LAX Transportation Services

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Direction: From the 405 freeway, exit on Wilshire Boulevard East. Turn left on Westwood. Proceed north onto the UCLA campus.

Parking: The nearest parking lots to the venue is Parking Structure 8, and Parking Structure 9. You may purchase a parking permit through the Bruin ePermit system and at self-service pay stations. An all day pass currently costs $16 per vehicle and $5 per vehicles with handicapped placard.

For more information, please visit UCLA Parking Rates and Fees.

The UCLA Luskin Lecture Series enhances public discourse on topics relevant to the betterment of society. The Series features renowned public intellectuals, bringing together scholars as well as national and local leaders to address society’s most pressing problems. Lectures encourage interactive, lively discourse across traditional divides between the worlds of research, policy and practice. The Series demonstrates UCLA Luskin’s commitment to encouraging innovative breakthroughs and creative solutions to formidable public policy challenges.

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Attendance by a public official will constitute acceptance of a reportable gift.

The Luskin School of Public Affairs at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As a land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

UCLA Luskin Conference Center, 425 Westwood Plaza , Los Angeles, United States

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