Thousands of Angelenos have cast their votes so far in the LA2050 Grants Challenge, both online and in person at our first-ever pop-up voting experiences.

Over the past two weeks, we have transported our voting booths to five iconic locations around Los Angeles. We engaged with bookworms at the Los Angeles Central Library, hikers and tourists at Griffith Observatory, sweet treat lovers at Randy's Donuts, families at the Los Angeles Zoo, and plant enthusiasts at Theodore Payne Foundation.

Keep reading for recaps of our first five Grants Challenge voting pop-ups, and check out this post for all the details you need in order to join us for an upcoming event.

April 7th – Los Angeles Central Library

We kicked off our LA2050 voting tour at the Los Angeles Central Library, in partnership with the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. We engaged with Angelenos of all ages who came to the library to enjoy working, studying, or just exploring the beautiful spaces the historic building has to offer. Younger voters also participated in activities from the Los Angeles Public Library outreach team, including making personalized “I Voted” pins and voting for their favorite book character: Captain Underpants or Dog Man.

April 8th – Griffith Observatory

Next, we took our voting booths to Griffith Observatory. It was a beautiful, clear day, with views for miles and miles – maybe even all the way to (LA)2050. Our team spoke with hundreds of people, many with furry friends. Our host, the Griffith Observatory Foundation, set up a colorful wheel for visitors to spin for an exclusive poster of the planets. And, a special congratulations to Charles K., who won the LA2050 voter raffle for a one-year Griffith Observatory membership and a pack of four tickets to the planetarium show, “Signs of Life.”

April 14th – Randy’s Donuts

On a rainy Friday morning, we brought in-person voting to Randy's Donuts in Inglewood. We were even joined by two special guests: Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. and the Deputy for Constituent Engagement from the office of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. Early in the morning, the Mayor helped us hand out free donuts to our first 100 voters alongside our president Tara Roth. Turnout was wonderful; even rain does not keep Angelenos away from their favorite sweet treats! We were especially grateful that customers made time on their donut run to vote for the issues that matter most to them.

April 15th – Los Angeles Zoo

Lions, tigers, and LA2050 Grants Challenge voting – oh my! Team LA2050 joined the Los Angeles Zoo’s “Wild for the Planet” Expo, a celebration of our planet and its biodiversity. Angelenos of all ages and backgrounds stopped by our booths between visiting their favorite animals to cast their votes in the LA2050 Grants Challenge. Our “I Voted” stickers were a big hit with the younger voters! Best of all, Joanna R., one of that day’s voters, won her very own family membership to the Los Angeles Zoo in the LA2050 raffle.

April 22nd – Theodore Payne Foundation

In celebration of Earth Day 2023, our team traveled to the Theodore Payne Foundation in Sun Valley to engage with native plant enthusiasts. The pop-up voting booths were stationed under a beautiful oak tree in the middle of the nursery, adjacent to the trailhead for Wildflower Hill. Voters received our one-of-a-kind “LA2050 X” tote bags filled with hiking snacks, a postcard with our full pop-up lineup, and even free native California poppy seeds, courtesy of Theodore Payne Foundation.

If you have not joined us for a pop-up voting experience yet, it is not too late! Our tour of Los Angeles continues on at Mariachi Plaza, Dodger Stadium, the Santa Monica Pier, the Hollywood Farmers’ Market, and more. Find more information here.