You may have thought we’d never make it, but it’s finally here: the last week before the November election.
For the last three weeks, The Malibu Times has run a series on the election, set for Nov. 3 — though as local drama has unfolded, the original scope of the “election guide” has expanded to cover the twists and turns of the politics surrounding the Measure W vote.
The fourth and final week of pre-election coverage offers data and information from the sample ballot, the City of Malibu and the Los Angeles County Clerk to help voters prepare for the election.
Polling places
All polling places are ADA accessible and will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Though municipal elections that do not coincide with presidential elections generally do not draw large crowds, lines may form during traditionally busy periods in the early morning and late evening. Vote by mail ballots will likely account for diminished crowds at the booths: in April 2014, nearly 59 percent of voters mailed in absentee ballots.
As of March 4, 2015, there are 9,141 registered voters in Malibu, which is a slight uptick from 2014 elections. More recent data was not available.
Polling place information is available in the sample ballots that were mailed to registered voters; however, the last-minute addition of a new polling place means all voters should check LAVote.net/locator to make sure they know where to go on Tuesday.
Voters in Eastern Malibu should cast ballots at Duke’s Restaurant, at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Las Flores Canyon Road.
As of Monday, Oct. 26, City Hall is now a polling location for voters living in the Civic Center, Malibu Colony and other central areas of Malibu. Some of the voters who were assigned to Duke’s have been reassigned to vote at Malibu City Hall, though according to the city’s website, their sample ballot may not have provided correct information.
“Voters in this precinct (Central Malibu) may have received a sample ballot listing Duke’s Restaurant as their polling location if the ballot was mailed prior to the addition of Malibu City Hall,” read a notice on the City of Malibu website.
Voters in the Point Dume neighborhood should cast ballots at Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School.
There are two polling places located close together for voters west of Point Dume: Malibu United Methodist Church and Malibu High School. Again, voters are urged to confirm polling places online.
Sample ballot arguments
In favor:
The argument in favor of Measure W is signed by Justine Petretti, Vice Chair of the Parks & Recreation Commission; David Charvet, “Baywatch” star and 20-year Serra Retreat resident; Michelle Kahenzadeh, the Co-Vice President of Family Program, Webster Elementary PTA; Linda Ellrod, the Vice President of Malibu Special Education Foundation (and parent of two children with special needs); and Michael Mazzola, the former owner of Giovanni’s Restaurant.
“We ALL hate traffic in Malibu. But ask yourself: ‘Will someone drive from Santa Monica or Thousand Oaks to shop at a Whole Foods market in Malibu?’ Unlikely,” read the argument in favor of Measure W. “Many Malibu families are currently driving to Santa Monica, West L.A. and Thousand Oaks to shop at Whole Foods. YES on W offers a LOCAL choice to reduce outside trips.”
Against:
The argument against Measure W is signed by Steve Uhring, former head of the Malibu Township Council, and Carol Moss, SMM Conservancy board member.
“The traffic study for this project was approved based upon a finding that traffic on Malibu Roads had not increased, and in some cases had actually decreased, in the past 25 years, a statement that is clearly difficult to believe,” the argument against read. “If built, this project will contribute to an additional 5,400 car trips per day that will drive through the Civic Center Way/Cross Creek intersection.”
Rebuttal to argument in favor:
The rebuttal to the argument in favor of Measure W is signed by Skylar Peak, Malibu City Council Member; Charlotte Frieze, a local landscape architect, author, editor and professor; John Mazza, Planning Commissioner; Rick Mullen, a homeowner who is also a member of the Ramirez Canyon Preservation Fund; and Michael Osterman, the owner of local grocery store PC Greens.
“Don’t be misled by the PR campaign. Malibu’s City Attorney clearly stated that Whole Foods may not be built and instead it could be a ‘Food for Less’ market,” read the rebuttal to the argument in favor of Measure W.
Rebuttal to argument against:
The rebuttal to the argument against Measure W is signed by Ellrod, Kahenzadeh, Petretti and Mazzola.
“This Plan was created by LOCAL adults, families, and children’s advocates. It is designed to benefit LOCAL residents – not to attract tourists,” read the rebuttal to the argument against Measure W.