Hearing Called Over Passover, Election Conflict
The conflict between the April 14 date of the City of Los Angeles’ election and the Jewish holiday of Passover has spurred the City Council’s Charter and Elections Committee to schedule a public hearing Wednesday on the controversy.
Councilman Richard Alatorre, chairman of the committee, announced Friday that the panel will discuss the scheduling problem, which has drawn protests from Jewish groups and others who believe it will discourage Jewish voters from going to the polls.
The hearing will not affect the upcoming April 14 date, according to City Clerk Elias Martinez, who said that the City Charter requires that Los Angeles hold its election on the second Tuesday in April in odd-numbered years.
However, Robin Kramer, Alatorre’s chief deputy, said the public hearing will give speakers an opportunity to suggest ways to encourage Jewish voters--such as casting absentee ballots--and make recommendations for avoiding such future conflicts.
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Robertson Recreation Center, 1641 Preuss Road in the Pico-Robertson Boulevard area.
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