EDITORIAL SERIES

The Wiring

How San Diego Actually Works

A 9-part editorial series introducing San Diego's seven governing bodies (Mayor, City Council, County Supervisors, SANDAG, Port, Airport Authority, MTS). Narrative companion to the seven structural primers at /dashboard/san-diego/. Public, no tier-gate.

Short on time? Read the 8-minute digest →

THE NINE PARTS

01
The Wiring

The Missed Connection

Part 1 — The newcomer's tour begins

Seven rooms behind every change like the 7 bus that doesn't stop here anymore. You voted in three.
02
The Wiring

The Mayor

Part 2 — The Mayor

1 PERSON. 4 APPOINTMENT LEVERS.

One mayor appoints a third of regional power. The accountability went the other direction.
03
The Wiring

The Council

Part 3 — The Council

1 VOTE IN A 9-SEAT ROOM

You vote for one councilmember. The other eight vote on your block too — and the 6-of-9 override almost never comes.
04
The Wiring

The Supervisors

Part 4 — The Supervisors

$8B 5 SEATS

Eight billion dollars. Five seats. The donors know your supervisor's name. You probably don't.
05
The Wiring

SANDAG

Part 5 — SANDAG

21 MEMBERS WEIGHTED VOTES

The transit plan you don't use was approved by 21 people you didn't elect — and their votes are weighted.
06
The Wiring

The Port

Part 6 — The Port

7 COMMISSIONERS 0 ELECTIONS

Seven commissioners. Zero elections. The waterfront belongs to whoever they say it does.
07
The Wiring

The Airport

Part 7 — The Airport

3 MAYOR PICKS 0 YOURS

Three Mayor picks. Two Governor picks. Zero yours. The fastest-growing revenue isn't flights — it's parking.
08
The Wiring

The Bus, Again

Part 8 — MTS

15 APPOINTEES 0 RAN ON TRANSIT

Fifteen appointees cut your bus. None ran on transit. Now you can read the chart.
09
The Wiring

Your Seat

Part 9 — Your Seat

Fifteen seats you vote for. Forty-seven you don't. The eighth seat is yours.