The Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder is proposing to replace polling places with “Vote Centers,” which are basically larger consolidated polling places. Historically, they were called polling places because they were located in the homes and garages of neighbors. Today, millions of people enjoy waking up on Election Day and going to their neighborhood polls to cast their vote.
In the city of Inglewood, Yvonne Horton, the Inglewood city clerk, has kept this tradition alive by maintaining polling places in neighborhoods throughout the city and intends to keep it that way – as she helps to implement SB 415. Under SB 415, the local city elections are now consolidated with the county. Although this is causing some confusion, the date of the election has changed, but most things remain the same.
Instead of the city hiring consultants like Martin and Chapman Co. to count votes on Election Day, the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder’s Office (LACRRO) is now responsible for counting. The city clerks, as local election officers, will continue to work with the LACRRO to monitor the process, which Horton has done for the past 16 years.
You may have heard the saying, “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” To assure that your experience of going to the polls is improved, the Inglewood city clerk is inviting you to voice your opinion on the details of setting up these new “Vote Centers” at a meeting hosted by the L.A. County Registrar Recorders Office (CRRO) scheduled for December 11, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Inglewood City Hall, One W. Manchester Blvd Inglewood, in Community Room A.
“As your chief election officer I will continue to be responsible for monitoring the vote counting process to make sure everyone who wants to vote can and that their vote is counted,” Horton said. “We will also have city staff working Election Day to assure access to the “Vote Center” and respond to voter inquires.”
The city clerk is additionally requesting that the polling locations placed in the Inglewood accommodate seniors, students, the disabled and others with special needs. This will include a mobile or popup sites at Inglewood City Hall. Noteworthy, city clerks will continue to be responsible for ALL of the major election related voting duties, which are the bulk of the complexities of the election process.
“Don’t be misled, other than consolidating local elections with the county, your city clerk will be there for you,” said Horton “Voting is a privilege that should not be restricted in any way.”
