Southeast Area : Ballot Description Barred
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A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has granted a temporary restraining order that effectively prevents 54th Assembly District candidate Edward K. Waters from describing himself as a “state investigator” on ballot documents being readied for the June 3 Democratic primary.
Judge Ralph A. Biggerstaff took only 10 minutes to grant the order sought by one of Waters’ challengers, Kent A. Spieller, a lawyer who lives in Bellflower.
A lawyer for Spieller argued that Waters neither worked for the state nor acted as an investigator, contrary to the ballot statement Waters filed upon declaring his candidacy. Instead, Waters has worked for an independent, federally financed agency that helps families relocate out of the path of the Century Freeway right-of-way, the lawyer said.
Waters did not attend the hearing, and could not be reached for comment.
Biggerstaff said he will consider making the restraining order permanent at a second hearing on April 10. But that will fall six days after state officials are scheduled to print the final ballot forms. So for now, Waters’ name--not his occupation--will be listed.
Waters and Spieller are two of nine Democrats running for the 54th District seat being vacated by Frank Vicencia (D-Bellflower), who is retiring.
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