In This Election, It’s Legal to Vote Twice

A few words of consolation to Californians as the voting booth ordeal of Nov. 6 approaches: It could be worse. You could live in Santa Monica.

Not only do voters in the coastal city face choices on 28 state ballot measures and elections for six statewide offices, plus seats in Congress and the Legislature, they will also face a lengthy municipal ballot.

It is so long that the county Registrar of Voters notified Santa Monica officials that they must draw up a separate ballot for nine city ballot measures, three City Council seats and four seats on the Rent Control Board.

Confusing matters is a decision to leave some local elections on the county ballot: those for Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education, Santa Monica Community College Board of Trustees and a runoff for municipal judge.

As a result, Santa Monica voters will have to register and cast votes on one ballot before going to another table, re-registering and entering a voting booth a second time.

The split ballot has upset some City Council candidates.

“This will cause major difficulties and much confusion on the part of the voters,” said Councilwoman Christine Reed, who is seeking a fifth term. “This will not enhance full voter participation on Election Day.”

Although it is fairly common for cities to hold separate, concurrent elections--either by choice or because an issue has come up too late for the regular ballot--county registrar’s officials said it is unusual for a city to be forced into a separate election because of a lengthy ballot.

So, come Election Day, consider the plight of the Santa Monica voter.