Roles of the Federal Government

• Limited power over all 50 states & territories per the Constitution
• Three branches of government: Legislative, executive, and judicial
• Runs treasury & manages monetary policy
• Handles national defense and maintains military
• Regulates international trade & foreign policy
• Manages foreign affairs including wars and international conflicts
• Administers Medicare
• Manages interstate commerce

Your United States Congressional Representative depends on the district that your residential address is in. Not all San Luis Obispo County residents have the same representative. To find your United States Congressional Representative and information on how to contact them visit:  https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.

California uses census data to redraw the Congressional districts every ten years based on population changes. To learn more about redistricting visit: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/california-redistricting. 

The current representative for residents in the City of San Luis Obispo (District 24) is Congressman Salud Carbajal.

• Run by Governor and the legislature enacts laws 
• Passes laws to advance public health and safety
• Provides funding for social services such as drug and alcohol services and homeless services
• Manages public healthcare and issues guidance & mandates for the entire state
• Establishes & maintains schools (including Cal Poly and Cuesta)
• Provides funding for elections
• Maintains State highway system

Your state representatives will depend on the district that your residential address is in. Not all San Luis Obispo County residents have the same representatives. To find your State Senate or State Assembly Representative and information on how to contact them visit https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/who-are-my-representatives.

California uses census data to redraw the State Senate, State Assembly, and State Board of Equalization districts every ten years based on population changes. To learn more about redistricting visit: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/california-redistricting. 

The current State Representatives for residents in the City of San Luis Obispo are: 

State Assembly (District 30): Assemblymember Dawn Addis

State Senate (District 17):  Senator John Laird

The Secretary of State's office is also a great resource for matters about State elections, business, political campaigning, legislative advocacy, and historical records. To learn more about the agency, visit their website. The current Secretary of State is Shirley Weber. 

Roles of County Government

• Governs larger local areas that may encompass multiple municipalities
• Run by elected County Board of Supervisors
• Provides for residents of the County's health & welfare
• Manages regional services like county roads and land use planning
• Receives Federal & State funding for health & welfare including homeless services and drug & alcohol services
• Collects most taxes and manages elections
• Elected County Sheriff oversees the management of the jail, Court Bailiffs, SWAT team, and Honor Farm
• Public Health Officer works for the County and guides pandemic response

The five supervisory districts in the County include the following incorporated cities (in italic), unincorporated cities, and communities:

District 1: Adelaide, Cholame, Lake Nacimiento, Oak Shores, Paso Robles, San Miguel, Shandon, Templeton, Whitley Gardens

District 2: Baywood Park, California Men’s Colony, Cal Poly State University (portion), Cambria, Cayucos, Cuesta-by-the-Sea, Cuesta College, Harmony, Los Osos, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo (portion), San Simeon

District 3: Avila Beach, Country Club, Edna-Los Ranchos, Edna Valley (portion), Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, Rolling Hills Estate, San Luis Obispo (portion), Shell Beach, Squire Canyon, Sunset Palisades

District 4: Arroyo Grande, Black Lake Canyon, Callendar-Garrett, Cuyama, Edna Valley (portion), Halcyon, Huasna-Lopez, Los Berros, Nipomo, Nipomo Mesa, Oceano, Palo Mesa

District 5: Atascadero, Cal Poly State University (portion), California Valley, Creston, Garden Farms, Pozo, San Luis Obispo (portion), Santa Margarita

Every ten years, supervisorial districts must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population. This process, called redistricting, is important in ensuring that each Board of Supervisors member represents about the same number of constituents. On December 14, 2021 the Board adopted Map I.D. No. 74786 "Adopted Map" but in April 2023, due to litigation, the Board of Supervisors set aside Map ID 74786 and approved Map A which established different supervisorial district boundaries. These new boundaries will be phased in over the course of several years as terms of office expire and as elections occur in each of the new districts. Visit the County website here to learn more. 

To learn more about County services and the current Board of Supervisors visit: slocounty.ca.gov/departments/board-of-supervisors

Roles of City Government

• The City of San Luis Obispo is a charter city and operates under the "Council-Mayor-City Manager" form of municipal government
• Elected City Council establishes policies & budget
• The Council appoints a City Manager and City Attorney to carry out legislative actions and policies
• The City Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization.
• Operates under the law of an adopted Municipal Code 
• The City of San Luis Obispo is a full-service City, meaning it provides: 
  • Police & fire
  • Community Development
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Public Works
  • Utilities (water, sewer and solid waste)
  • Parking
  • Local transit services
  • Specialized programs include: Sustainability & Natural Resources, Economic Development, Tourism, Neighborhood Wellness

To learn more about the City of San Luis Obispo's current City Council Members, visit https://www.slocity.org/government/mayor-and-city-council.