Neighborhood Council's Vote by Mail Request Denied

Renewed interest in a vote by mail option for the upcoming Westwood Neighborhood Council elections has been shut down by the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment in light of the Board's previous decision to forgo the mailed ballots.

It's too late to pursue the vote by mail option, said Stephen Box, DONE elections coordinator, in an email sent Thursday to board member Lisa Chapman. 

Members on Wednesday agreed to reach out to the department to request vote by mail, though the Council originally decided against the option in June.

The last-minute conversation was sparked by comments from board member Kurt Smalberg, who said he recently received requests for vote by mail from Westwood residents.

"The Board has acted, and to change the process in the middle of the VBM filing period is not an option," Box said in the email.

During Wednesday's meeting, Chapman expressed concern that vote by mail might lead to voter fraud, though after receiving Box's verdict, she's "neither happy nor unhappy about the decision."

"I do think there is potential for more fraud in VBM, especially with those voting, that really, in the spirit of the definition, are not genuine stakeholders," she said in an email.

All 19 board seats on the Westwood Neighborhood Council are up for election this October. For more information on how to run for a seat, . The candidate filing deadline is Sept. 28.

Elections will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 28 at the , 1350 South Sepulveda Blvd.

Do you think Westwood Neighborhood Council elections should include a vote by mail option? Tell us in the comments section below.

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