Council OKs Ballot Issue to Reschedule Voting Dates

Although it comes too late to change the April 14 municipal election, which falls on Passover, the Los Angeles City Council Friday approved placing a measure before voters to permit rescheduling of elections that conflict with religious holidays and other times that might reduce turnout, such as vacation periods.

The action stems from objections raised by Orthodox Jews to the election date, which falls on the first day of Passover, the eight-day holiday commemorating the deliverance of the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. Forbidden by religious law to write on holy days, Orthodox Jews cannot sign their names in the polling place on Passover.

To help resolve that problem, the council told the city clerk to publicize the availability of absentee ballots, including posting notices in synagogues and publishing a notice in voter information pamphlets “stating the observance of Passover is a legitimate reason” for using absentee ballots.

The city’s election dates are set by the city Charter, which cannot be changed without a vote of the people. City officials said that by the time they realized Passover falls on election day, it was too late to submit a ballot measure.

Charter Amendment

Friday’s 11-0 vote gave the city attorney the go-ahead to draft a Charter amendment that would appear on the June 2 ballot. It would allow the council to change the dates of city elections that are “in conflict with a legal or religious holiday or other significant special event, such as Easter vacation.”

Under the proposed Charter amendment, elections could be changed only if a conflict would substantially reduce the vote.

It says the new date would be “on the first available open day, preferably on a Tuesday, and as close to the regular election day as possible.”

The proposed Charter amendment must come back to the council for another vote before it can go to voters.

E. Mickey Slotnick, executive director of Congregation Mogen David of West Los Angeles, said he was pleased by Friday’s council action.

However, he said something could still be done to prevent the conflict between this year’s election and Passover.

Challenging the Date

“Just get a federal judge to change the date,” he said in an interview. Slotnick said he is awaiting word from his attorney on challenging the date as violating the U.S. Constitution’s protections against disenfranchisement.

Managing Asst. City Atty. George Buchanan said he doesn’t believe voters are disenfranchised by the election date because they can cast absentee ballots.

The problem with absentee ballots, Slotnick said, is “something could happen (during the campaign) after they’re dropped in the mail that could change someone’s mind at the last minute.”

Absentee ballots can be cast anytime within 30 days before the election. Applications for the ballots are available in voter information pamphlets mailed in early March.

Council members in even-numbered districts face reelection in April. They are Richard Alatorre, Hal Bernson, Robert Farrell, John Ferraro, Pat Russell and Joel Wachs. Voters will also fill the seat vacated by Councilman Dave Cunningham, who resigned to enter private business.