MOORPARK : Low Turnout Seen in Council Election

A low voter turnout is expected today in a special Moorpark City Council election for three candidates vying to fill an unexpired term on the five-member body, officials said.

Only about 18% to 20% of the city’s 11,087 registered voters are expected to cast ballots, said Ruth Schepler, chief of the county’s elections division. Voter turnout is traditionally low in special elections, and the weather may further discourage voters from going to the polls. “If it rains, who knows?” Schepler said.

The candidates include former City Councilwoman Eloise Brown, Moorpark Planning Commission Chairman Roy Talley Jr. and former city Parks and Recreation Commissioner John Roberts.

The winner will fill a seat vacated when Councilman Paul Lawrason was elected mayor Nov. 6. As mayor, Lawrason could not complete the remaining two years of his 4-year term. The winner of Tuesday’s election will have to run for reelection in two years if the winner wants to remain on the council.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. at the usual nine polling places in Moorpark, Schepler said.